June 3 - EA launches Origin, their new digital distribution center. source: http://www.ea.com/news/electronic-arts-launches-origin
June 6 - Star Wars: The Old Republic announced as Origin-exclusive on the digital download side of things. source: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/110617-The-Old-Republic-Downloads-to-be-Exclusive-to-EAs-Origin-Service
June 15 - Crysis 2 is pulled from Steam. after a day or two, EA clarifies: "It's unfortunate that Steam has removed Crysis 2 from their service," an EA representative clarified. "This was not an EA decision or the result of any action by EA. Steam has imposed a set of business terms for developers hoping to sell content on that service - many of which are not imposed by other online game services. Unfortunately, Crytek has an agreement with another download service which violates the new rules from Steam and resulted in its expulsion of Crysis 2 from Steam. Crysis 2 continues to be available on several other download services including GameStop, Amazon, Origin.com and more." source: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Origin-Steam-Crysis-2-FPS-digital-distribution,12945.html
June 17 - Alice: Madness Returns is pulled from Steam for a couple of days Nobody is really sure why. A couple days later, it reappears. EA makes this statement: "EA Partners and Spicy Horse Games appreciate Steam’s decision to sell Alice: Madness Returns," said the company. "The game is also available on several other download services including Amazon, Gamestop and Origin.com." source: http://www.giantbomb.com/news/electronic-arts-appreciates-steams-decision-to-put-alice-madness-returns-back-on-steam/3396/
July 11 - EA announces digital platforms for Battlefield 3. Origin, Gamestop, Impulse, Direct2Drive, Amazon -- everyone but Steam. after a huge outroar, EA removes the list of digital distributors from its website. it's still a 404 to this day. source: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/07/11/no-steam-release-for-battlefield-3/
July 27 - Dragon Age 2 pulled from Steam as a new piece of DLC launches. source: http://www.vg247.com/2011/07/27/dragon-age-ii-pulled-from-steam-as-legacy-dlc-launches/
it looks like EA is determined to get into digital distribution, even at the cost of pissing off millions of consumers.
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xyzzy