EA Download Manager

[destrekor]

So I'm preparing to pre-order the direct download for Shift 2 at EA's online store.

I want to go this route so I can get the pre-order only Limited Edition (pre-order bonus content, basically), and so I can only have a digital version.

I don't want to deal with a disc, I'm finding that if I have the option and the storage space, I want the download version.

however, once I download through the EA Download Manager, can I run it like any other game, or do I have to keep using EA's tool to select and launch the game?

I really wish this game would show up for pre-order on Steam (it's not even listed on Steam as of yet anyway, not expecting to see it there anywhere near launch day)

 

[Bandit1]

You can run it like any other game.However,I have had issues with "invalid cd key".It is an unpreservable program,meaning you have to do it all over again upon a pc format,and any mods to the program tend to screw it up.I will buy disc only for these reasons,hereafter.

 

[KaOTiK]

EA games tend to show up on Steam a few days before their release now. EA is all butt hurt about Steam dominating DD sales and wants ppl to use their bad service for their games.

 

[Mike89]

I use the EA download manager. In earlier versions you could set it to ask for a destination each time you wanted to use it to install a game. Now you have to set a destination and would have to manually change it if you wanted a different location. Once the game is installed, you can play it through the Download Manager or without it. Set it to not open each time Windows Loads. The good thing about downloading EA games from EA is it plays nicer if say you had two computers in the house and wanted to install on both of them. It's a little harder doing that with Steam.

 

[Nik]

The answer is yes, you can play your games without using the Download Manager to launch them.

 

[SunnyD]

EADM games use the download manager for perpetual download access only. It downloads the exact same thing you would get if you got a physical copy/disc, and in fact stores that installer in a directory that you can access and backup/burn to a disc should you so desire.

EADM is ONLY for downloading the title only, and isn't needed to actually PLAY the game.

 

[destrekor]

So, if I am looking for a digital copy, Steam is best because it manages updates and everything, but EADM isn't all that bad because it's basically a tool to download an ISO-like file, and you control content the same way you would with a physical copy installation.

Did I get that right? So, EADM isn't all that bad? I think I'll go that route then, as it makes it easy to manage your own content, which usually makes it easier to mod, but I don't have to worry about using a disc or no-disc workaround. Cool.

 

[Mike89]

EADM games use the download manager for perpetual download access only. It downloads the exact same thing you would get if you got a physical copy/disc, and in fact stores that installer in a directory that you can access and backup/burn to a disc should you so desire.

It doesn't work like that anymore. It no longer downloads what's on a disk to install from that. It now downloads sort of like Steam where the download is the install also. What it now calls the installer is actually only a few kb in size (I think sort of like what you'd use to re-download in Steam). I actually liked the old way better where I got like a DVD copy and could then install as I pleased.

 

[Throckmorton]

Keep in mind, EA limits how long you can download your game... Last time I used it I think it was 1 year.

 

[Lonyo]

Keep in mind, EA limits how long you can download your game... Last time I used it I think it was 1 year.

They removed the limit.

 

[simonizor]

The good thing about downloading EA games from EA is it plays nicer if say you had two computers in the house and wanted to install on both of them. It's a little harder doing that with Steam.

Actually, it's a LOT easier to install games from Steam on multiple computers. All you have to do is copy and paste your Steam folder from the PC that you already have Steam and your games on to the PC that you don't, install Steam to the directory that you pasted it to on your 2nd PC, and you're done. All of your games will be recognized, and games that support the Steam Cloud should have their save games and settings preserved.

 

[Mike89]

That's a lot more trouble to me (especially if both computers already had different Steam accounts). With EA games downloaded from EA, you just download/install the game to each computer and be done with it. Both computers can also play the game at the same time.

 

[Red Hawk]

Same with Steam, as long as one of the computers is in offline mode.

 

[Mike89]

Well to each his own but for me it's still a lot easier with installing the game separately on each machine then having to deal with two Steam accounts (if each computer had a different Steam account. If you had the exact same Steam account on each machine then I could see it. If you had two different Steam accounts on two different computers with different games on each Steam account, it's not going to be as easy. It's why I'm shying away from Steam when I want to put a game on both computers without having to buy two games (my two computers do not run the same Steam account nor do they contain all the same games, one's mine, one's my daughters). If I want the game on both computers, I'll download straight from EA (if it's an EA game) or use D2D downloads. Plus I like the options of installing where I want instead of being forced to one location the way Steam does. I have different hard drives and don't always want all my games in one place. Whatever works for the person.

 

[destrekor]

Ugh, now I have to wait until EA decides it's cool for me to start downloading the game (Shift 2) that gets released today. I pre-ordered the game, and wanted to download... however, I fear EA won't allow me to even start downloading the game until dinnertime or some bullshit.

This is my day off, and I want to play dammit. Damn you EA.. I can walk into a store right now and buy the damn physical disc, why can't I start downloading it yet?

 

[Red Hawk]

Well to each his own but for me it's still a lot easier with installing the game separately on each machine then having to deal with two Steam accounts (if each computer had a different Steam account. If you had the exact same Steam account on each machine then I could see it. If you had two different Steam accounts on two different computers with different games on each Steam account, it's not going to be as easy. It's why I'm shying away from Steam when I want to put a game on both computers without having to buy two games (my two computers do not run the same Steam account nor do they contain all the same games, one's mine, one's my daughters). If I want the game on both computers, I'll download straight from EA (if it's an EA game) or use D2D downloads. Plus I like the options of installing where I want instead of being forced to one location the way Steam does. I have different hard drives and don't always want all my games in one place. Whatever works for the person.

Ah, I see your problem. Not really sure why you use two accounts -- for your daughter's computer, you could just download specific games and keep it offline otherwise, but whatever works for you.

 

[SunnyD]

It doesn't work like that anymore. It no longer downloads what's on a disk to install from that. It now downloads sort of like Steam where the download is the install also. What it now calls the installer is actually only a few kb in size (I think sort of like what you'd use to re-download in Steam). I actually liked the old way better where I got like a DVD copy and could then install as I pleased.

Still downloading the installers to the cache directory for me. EADM now supports silent installs to automate through the client though.