Note: This only applies to the EA Downloader/EA Link version!
"PACE" is apparently an anti-piracy company (
Welcome to PACE Anti-Piracy) for programs to enforce trials and ensure that programs are not illegally obtained. Now this may sound fine, but with some research, I have found that not only are its files located under the Application Data folder (under "PACE Anti-Piracy"), but it installs a kernel-level driver! I have not reviewed the EULA or any such documents for 2142, but there have been reports of other programs that use PACE that do not make any mention of the product or that it installs itself into the kernel as can be read more about here:
http://q.queso. com/archives/001606. This would have gone unnoticed by me if I had not found it odd that the game was called "BF2142PACE" and if I had not seen "PACE Anti-Privacy" in the Application Data folder. I have no problems with companies protecting their programs, but at least being warned of packaged software, especially the kind that installs into the kernel, would be nice. I would also think that since PACE is a separate company, we should also be given the chance to review their EULA/Privacy Policy/etc, or at least told (in a more obvious manner) that "This program installs additional anti-piracy software to prevent illegal distribution of this product" somewhere other than the EULA (if it even is in there), and considering the nature of the additional software, it SHOULD BE.
The person who wrote the article mentioned above calls this act "spyware" in which I disagree, I call it bad business practice. In my experience, even programs that install actual spyware/adware/etc tell you about it (most of them any way), and considering that PACE does not pose as a threat or problem to 99.9% of 2142 users, why wouldn't they make it known?
Comments? Concerns? Riots?
**EDIT: CORRECTION: the process name is "BF2142PACE" sorry for the mix up, I didn't double check before posting (didn't want to open 2142)!**