*edit* I took too long, I'm talking about the "disable router post"

hunh? I didn't understand that last comment, you don't need the Origin client up and running to start any game.

unless it's a multiplayer title that uses origin exclusively for it's matchmaking (not sure if any do, doesn't BF3 have it's own game browser built into the client) or something you should only ever need to actually run the client when imputing your serial number.

maybe things have changed with the latest crop of Origin based EA titles (I don't own TOR, BF3, or ME3) but that's how it was the last time I checked.

which was just now with Alice: Madness Returns, the game launches directly from the .exe and Origin never once graces my PC with it's presence. HOWEVER, there is a secondary program that launches called "EA Core Server .EXE" which I believe is the DRM call in program, but it launches immediately with the game and only takes up something like 11k of memory while actively using no bandwidth what so ever, and then shuts itself off as soon as the game is closed.

I really wish I did own more Origin games, simply because I feel bad about how I like it (compared to the alternatives, DRM/Client free is the Win) and want to support it in an effort to diminish Steam's monopoly (I have no problem with Steam being in existence, just with Steam being in control of the market) but I simply do not have the spare cash to afford full price releases like KOA and Syndicate.

... and being able to add EA games that were bought from steam may be blatent poaching, but it's also good customer support in them saying "yes, we will honor your purchase of one of our games, even if you buy it from somewhere else".

which I respect because it's them actually sticking to a principle for once as a primary complaint they had against steam was the lock out of DLC availability if you owned the game, but wanted to buy the DLC from steam. so when you buy (or had bought) a EA game that has been into legacy-ed into Origin; your purchase will be honored.

This I can say from personal experience isn't true.When you start BF3 the Origin client loads automatically.

my bad, I don't own the game ... does it use Origin for it's online matchmaking, or just load it for spite? I probably should just go and buy Syn' since I know I will like it, and to test out how it handles it's online bits, but I'm saving up for a PS3 (if fo no other reason than Tales of Graces F) .... not to mention a TV to play it on.

I like Steam more than Origin

It only changed voice overs for me. For example I have L4D and selected English. Voices are fine but all subtitles are still in Polish.

About adding games to collection. I never found any game that is not "steamworks" and I could add it to my library on Steam. I HAVE to add all steamworks games so it doesn't count! ;)
Actually this is no a big deal. Just a little nice thing.

Then you should follow the 'Link' I added in that post ;)

Shame about the language thing, although kind of strange it would only change voiceovers.

I have seen your list but I don't know which games are Steamworks and which are not. :P Well, Polish version of L4D don't have voice overs, so it's not even listed there. ;)

I kinda like Origin too, it's better than I thought it would be. Although their in-game overlay seems flaky as hell and I had to disable it.

One thing I like a lot better is Origin seems to handle pre-requisite install packages better than Steam, which just brute installs whatever it is scripted to install for each game, even if it's already installed. Origin seems to check if you have it already and skip it if neccessary.

Cake is better than Origin.

I haven't used Origin myself so I can't really comment on it's quality but so far it does not even seem worth installing to me, neither is there anything big that interests me on the service but I guess that's just me

It was however very interesting observing it's launch, I remember some people were making a big fuss about how it "Spies on you" by gathering your information, while Steam does the same thing

CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, actually Origin doesn't allow to change game language for everyone. RU and neighbouring countries in its region are sometimes tied hard to russian-only versions and there's no real choice available. Such was my fate with Battlefield 3 and Mass Effect 3. The latter I already corrected, but it always requires some digging and manual tinkering with game's files.
For me Steam is a better experience at the moment. Whether things will change in the future is yet to be seen.

I read the Origin Terms of Service and knew right then I would never buy a title there. I don't want to argue about the Origin TOS so I'm not going to quote what I found offensive. I would just encourage those purchasing games on Origin to be sure to read that document and know what you are getting into. If you are fine with it well then that's all good. I wasn't.

ME2 DLC did nto require internet connection... most of time.
It once broke in Dragon Age and had to relogin (aka needed net connection) for it to work properly again.

Beat most of ME2 on steam, in offline, with 4 dlcs (zaeed, normandy, kasumi and not lair but one more) without any problems.
Literally had no internet whatsoever.