Angered by the use of EOS (Epic Online Services)

[30]

I've been playing CRPGs for a pretty long time now. I've learned just today, that this game, as well as the 1st installment, uses Epic Online Services.

So what is EOS? To sum it up, it's basically Epic Games' version of Steamworks. Games such as Rocket League, Fall Guys and Ark all use this. However, these are multiplayer games, makes sense to have it in. So what does EOS do in single-player games such as this one? It collects achievement/cloud data for use on Epic's servers. So in other words, Epic is collecting your data without your permission in a game you paid money for. Why is this worrying? Well take a look here: https://privacyspy.org/product/epic-games/

This is all stated in their privacy policy btw. They are actively collecting data and selling it to 3rd parties (it's unspecified of who they sell your data to). I'm outraged, really. I'm glad I didn't buy the first game while it was on sale, I'd otherwise had refunded it the moment I found out it used EOS. Apperantly some games can run without EOS, but many others such as Ghostrunner and Hades crashes when you attempt to remove the SDK-EOS file from the game's directory.

Oh and let's add to the fact, that if you had EGS installed, they scanned your Steam friends list:

https://www.slashgear.com/epic-games-store-isnt-spying-but-does-scan-steam-local-cache-17569962/

(I understand this is Reddit, but this guy made a very good point) https://www.reddit.com/r/PhoenixPoint/comments/b0rxdq/epic_game_store_spyware_tracking_and_you/

If for some reason you don't believe me, here's both of the games' SteamDB pages:

Pathfinder 1: https://steamdb.info/app/640820/info/

Pathfinder 2: https://steamdb.info/app/1184370/info/

And this is the full list of games that uses EOS https://steamdb.info/tech/SDK/EpicOnlineServices/

I'm honestly worried with how far Epic has gone with forcing users, despite not ever having EGS or any other Epic services installed, being forced to use EOS. Would have bought these games because I like Fallout 1 and 2 and Pillars of Eternity, shame I won't be unless EOS is removed.

[DrunkPunk]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Homer Morisson:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย 30:

How would I do that?

\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\HOSTS

Open with Notepad++ or another high-quality writer.

At the bottom, add any website you want to permanently block like this:
0.0.0.0 So for EOS:0.0.0.0 dev.epicgames.com0.0.0.0 api.epicgames.dev [/quote] Hey thanks for this. It's nice when someone is able to provide useful information free of judgement or BS and I just wanted to let you know I appreciate you for it.[//]

[Viper]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย 30:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Dondu:

hmm i dont understand... you got problem with epic then why post on steam?

I'm not using Epic and never will. Epic doesn't have any forums to express my anger towards it. My issue is their unwanted online service affecting the game.

well then its you decision not to use the product. If you do use the product then it is your consent to agree to every thing that involves. Nobody is forcing you to play the game. They aren't doing anything to harm you.

[living_one]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Dondu:

hmm i dont understand... you got problem with epic then why post on steam?

Epic Online Services is an api integrated into the game, regardless of where you buy it.

[Homer Morisson]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Viper:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย 30:

I'm not using Epic and never will. Epic doesn't have any forums to express my anger towards it. My issue is their unwanted online service affecting the game.

well then its you decision not to use the product. If you do use the product then it is your consent to agree to every thing that involves. Nobody is forcing you to play the game. They aren't doing anything to harm you.

If you think spying on you while you are using your PC isn't anything harmful, then wow... you must be the world's greatest consumer of koolaid.

[HellSlayer]

People are ok with it until this nonsense will become the norm in the grocery stores where they will require you to show what you bought last week..

I will use that link everytime https://steamdb.info/tech/SDK/EpicOnlineServices/

Sad gamers become such a losers where they dont stand up for themselves: "hey i got nothin to buy" mentality will make anything normalised.

[Ghost]

horrible decision by the devs

[Viper]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Homer Morisson:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Snefru:

So is the problem really with Epic or the developer for allowing it?

The fault lies with Owlcat allowing #♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to insinuate their chinese spyware crap into the game versions that aren't on the EGS.

lol spyware for what. What info do you think they could collect that would in any way whatsoever inconvenience you. They could not care less about your name or where you live. People seem to think there so important that everybody is just itching to find out all the worthless details about them that in no way helps these companies in any way. SOrry but there not interested in any of it.

[Rampage]

opening poster, I added you as a friend so I can ask you a question I cant ask here please accept. You can of course remove me after Ive asked it no problem.

[Snefru]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Homer Morisson:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Snefru:

So is the problem really with Epic or the developer for allowing it?

The fault lies with Owlcat allowing #♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to insinuate their chinese spyware crap into the game versions that aren't on the EGS.

I agree %100. But OP rant included stuff like “ I'm honestly worried with how far Epic has gone with forcing users, despite not ever having EGS or any other Epic services installed, being forced to use EOS.”.

So wasn’t sure why anger towards Epic. They didn’t force Owlcat.

[FireShark]

Wait, so even if I buy this on Steam I have to install some kind of Epic crap on my PC? You've gotta be kidding...talk about dealbreaker.

[Homer Morisson]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Viper:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Homer Morisson:

The fault lies with Owlcat allowing #♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to insinuate their chinese spyware crap into the game versions that aren't on the EGS.

lol spyware for what. What info do you think they could collect that would in any way whatsoever inconvenience you. They could not care less about your name or where you live. People seem to think there so important that everybody is just itching to find out all the worthless details about them that in no way helps these companies in any way. SOrry but there not interested in any of it.

Funny how you talk so big about spyware not being an issue while your profile is set to Private... hypocrisy much?

[Total Overkill]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย FireShark:

Wait, so even if I buy this on Steam I have to install some kind of Epic crap on my PC? You've gotta be kidding...talk about dealbreaker.

thats not really how it works

[Homer Morisson]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย FireShark:

Wait, so even if I buy this on Steam I have to install some kind of Epic crap on my PC? You've gotta be kidding...talk about dealbreaker.

It's worse:

The Epic Spyware installs itself without so much as a notification.

But, as I said, simply block the domains used by such spyware and it won't be able to "phone home" any longer.

[Viper]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Homer Morisson:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Viper:

lol spyware for what. What info do you think they could collect that would in any way whatsoever inconvenience you. They could not care less about your name or where you live. People seem to think there so important that everybody is just itching to find out all the worthless details about them that in no way helps these companies in any way. SOrry but there not interested in any of it.

Funny how you talk so big about spyware not being an issue while your profile is set to Private... hypocrisy much?

And you illustrate exactly why that is the case. Why would you check my profile. I know for sure however Epic Games does not give a hoot about my profile.

[FireShark]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย 30:

And this is the full list of games that uses EOS https://steamdb.info/tech/SDK/EpicOnlineServices/

I own 1 game on that list - Nioh 2. Man, that sucks.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Homer Morisson:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย FireShark:

Wait, so even if I buy this on Steam I have to install some kind of Epic crap on my PC? You've gotta be kidding...talk about dealbreaker.

It's worse:

The Epic Spyware installs itself without so much as a notification.

But, as I said, simply block the domains used by such spyware and it won't be able to "phone home" any longer.

That's still hella shady.