More Awesome Than You!

I was flipping through the options to see if there was anything odd, or new. There was something I did not expect.

There's an option titled 'data logging'.

I have only one opinion of this. EA is logging our activities. Thankfully you can disable the Data Logging, but I don't want EA to log my data. I recommend you disable it.

Anyone not using a program like Comodo to block any and all internet access to and from their installed non-online games is insane anyway.

I guess I'm insane then. I've never attempted to block internet access to a program before. I'll certainly be looking into it though if they choose to activate this in-game advertising. Oddly that bothers me more than the data logging.

Where does one find the Data Logging option? I looked through the EA folder in the Documents folder and found an "Options" text document, but no Data Logging anything.

In the game options....

Ah, I recall reading about this in some of the previews. Yeah, they want to harvest data on player's gameplay habits now.

Wait, what? Do you have a link to this? Because although I block internet connection for TS3, that is still way fucking creepy.

Well I'll go through and see which one it was, but one of them definitely mentioned about "Data Logging" and how it can be toggled through the Options menu. It's definitely very creepy. Not surprising though.

That is a gross invasion of privacy as far as I'm concerned, especially since they didn't warn us about that and ask our permission to log our data, first. They just did it. Most people wouldn't even realize their data was being logged and sent to EA if they didn't visit the Options panel in their game.

Will definitely be switching that off as soon as I get Ambitions.

I don't see the fuss. I've just applied the patch to my base game (no EPs yet), and Data Logging is disabled by default. You have to actually enable it yourself and the tooltip clearly states it sends anonymous data to EA.

It's extremely creepy.

I also note the following with interest in the patch information.

I wonder if they'll try to make AM incompatible?

May be a tinfoil hat moment, but I am suspicious of anything that requires phoning home through my game. I cut off all internet activity while playing, and this data logging sounds like a way for EA to see what we have in our games and how we installed them.

Guess they are just protecting their investment since they got rid of SecuRom.

That doesn't prove that it's still collecting data.

Any way or another, I already blocked the game from acessing the network in my firewall.
I am too lazy right now to smonitor my TCP/UDP data.

The thing is, this isn't actually new. I've just reinstalled the game for testing purposes, and during installation (pre-patch), I am asked if I want to share anonymous usage data with EA. Of course I clicked 'no', just as I've always done when I've reinstalled this game. The fact is, it's always been there. The difference now is, if you had inadvertently said yes, you now have a second chance on the option screen to opt out again. That option was never there before.

EDIT: I don't know if this option was ever there for the arred versions though. I've always used a legal copy.

It's probably in the EULA.  You agree to all sorts of fun things when you install a program.  Ask all the people with modified XBoxes who lost their consoles when Microsoft pushed the remote destruct button.

This won't turn off for me. It doesnt save the setting when I accept.

I wouldn't mind data logging if they told us what they actually logged.

It's not like Steam's hardware surveys, which are completely optional to participate in. Some games do log your activity (not counting MMOs. Those log you no matter what), but it's just like how long you've been playing or your computer specs.

If EA logs your content, what expansions you have installed, mods, or other computer settings, that's an invasion of privacy. However due to their EULA we can't do anything about it, except opt out (better opting out/in than making it mandatory)

EA has been installing spyware into Sims games for ages. Never allow it access to the Interwebs. Simple as that.

I knew it wouldn't be long before I asked a stupid question on here, and here it is: how do you stop the game from accessing the Internet without stopping it from letting you know when you need to download a patch or whatnot?

0 is false and 1 is true, right? I checked my options config file and it says 0 for EnableTelemetry, but hte game has it checkmarked anyway.

I have tinfoil hats for sale.

You'll know you need to download a patch when you see a thread here about a new patch. These threads always contain a direct link to the patch. Keeping your launcher off the interwebs won't stop you from having a fully patched game.

From the EULA. So they are pretty much not only collecting data, but will willingly share it with their partners.

When I applied the ambitions expansion pack it was enabled by default.

Don't what it does or what it logs, but I turned it off.

So, it is basically Securom only semi-visible?

Data Logging/Telemetry is responsible for producing the Sims3Logs.xml and DeviceConfig.log files in the user folder, right? Does it do any more than that?

And you actually believe them?



I don't think they will necessarily target AM deliberately making it incompatible, but sounds like they have done what should have been done in the first place, made it easier to install mods, not that the current method is all that complicated.

Yeah, and I have a lovely bridge for sale in a pristine Florida location...

Securom is only included in Sims 3 if you buy/download the Digital version.

I guess the main question is, could they take any info on downloads, and attack people legally over pirated store content? Like a witch hunt?

That's my main fear anyways.

Would it be possible to disable it with AM? In the mean time, I am not letting the game touch the Internet.

After running the game a few more times this morning, I have noticed that despite having the main executable blocked in Windoze Firewall (I don't use the launcher), something tries to connect to the internet a few seconds before the animated EA/TS3 logo pops up. I have Data Logging disabled as I've said before, but I'm wondering if the game's trying to access a non-existent ad server?

EDIT: Hmm... Just noticed that enabletelemetry is set to '1' in options.ini despite the in-game setting clearly showing that Data Logging is disabled. Is there any software I can use (free, preferably) to monitor what this bloody game's sending out over the internet?

The funny thing is that, contrary to everyone else, I Am getting that it's deactivated both in game and in my files. Not saying it's off though.

Personal preference is PCTools Firewall, nothing gets past unless you tell it to  :)  I am sure though there must be quite a few other free ones that others would recommend as well, but so far this one blocks EA effectively.

I've just had a scan through DeviceConfig.log. It seems that EA's implementation of Boolean code is pretty much nonstandard: '0'=true and '1'=false. So, in theory, this means that in my options.ini, enabletelemetry is set to 'false'.

I'm talking arse. These were the "default" settings. My settings are all set to '0' which is 'false'. In options.ini, enabletelemetry stays stuck on '1' no matter what I do in the in-game options.

Still would like to know what my game's trying to make contact with, though.


Cheers, I'll check it out.

I wonder what the legal position would be.  If they are retrieving personal information to identify you, AFTER stating they do not, they may be in more trouble than the person they went after, for installing spyware such as that without permission, invasion of privacy, and no doubt a host of other issues.  Now if they add something in their EULA which says they are collecting such information with a view to taking action, that might be a different matter, but I suspect if such stuff was there, someone would have found it by now.

Every one of you probably posts more information on public forums than EA could ever get from its Sims 3 Data logging. You should ask yourself, what is Pescado doing with all this information. Maybe building an AI simulacrum army which with Google's help will TAKE OVER THE WORLD!

No, SecuROM is modular and at base its just a normal "disk check" but it can have online activation and also restriction on the number of activations (meaning the number of times it can be installed).

This is very much different, its what FUCKING STEAM does (logs statistics) so if you use FUCKING STEAM and allowed Valve to know everything you done.

Its funny in a way, Valve did this crap and put it under the radar and you cannot turn it off and they get away, EA does it and its Help! Police! Murder!

Ahahaha, good thing I don't use AM, then.

Nah, I don't have anything against AM. I just don't use it myself.

Yeah, that's exactly what Microsoft did with the XBox 360.  The EULA stated that modding the XBox voided the warranty, Microsoft had the ability to scan machines that connected to LIVE to check if they were modded, and Microsoft had the ability to shut those machines down.  This, of course, didn't stop the butthurt that came when Microsoft acted on it; it just made it funnier.

Not exactly.

Microsoft banned modded Xbox 360 from Live and only the machines themselves as the accounts still work, just the console is banned from Live.

They cannot shut down the console (doing so would create a dangerous precedent) but they can ban then from using services (TOS) and as for the warranty, that is pretty standard as if you modify the machine then the manufacturer cannot be held responsible for it.

I use Comodo Firewall but I reinstalled it and can't figure out how to get it back to how I had it- so it asks whenever something tries to happen. SO I can't tell if I'm blocking anything or not, despite blocking the game in windows firewall.

I got the PCTools Firewall that Starstryder suggested, and it works like a charm and is very easy to use, stupid person-proof you could say lol.

Now, when I open the launcher, generally it says that "Internet Explorer cannot open this webpage" and all that jazz, but now I just get a blank blue background with nothing on it, is that supposed to happen?

According to PC Tools Firewall (cheers Starstryder), ts3.exe is trying to access 1.174.143.100, so I knew it was up to something. Now to find out what 1.174.143.100 is.

EDIT: This can't be right, right?

http://rank10.org/pr/?url=www.sonymusic.com

It links back to a Sony server. SecuROM?

Would simply blocking the game with Windows Firewall be effective? I'd rather not install any more programs on my computer if I can help it. I just uninstalled a bunch of programs I don't use anymore, completely cleaned out my entire computer and moved all of my media to my external to keep my C drive nice and empty for university in September.

I dont know, that's what I wanted to see.

I restarted and Comodo is working now but I havent opened the game to see if it tries to do anything. I have to try and get my mods out so I can see if it's a mod conflict ruining romantic socials for me.

Seems like the typical MATY user isn't a bit more informed than the users of the sheeple forums. The typical MATY user is more adept in spreading FUD, though.

EA and basically every publisher out there are spying on you for years now without asking for permission. Virtually every game executable will collect data and send it home. If you let it. If you let the TS3 executable or the launcher connect to the internet, the EA folks almost definitely already know if you use an arred game by the serial. They probably know if you use arred store content, too.

Logging your gameplay and asking for permission to do so is absolutely harmless. All they want to know, is what features are used the most/least for future development.

The main issue is what EA is calling back home for.

Steam, on the other hand, while it does 'call home', they tell you what they actually collect.

Ah.  I didn't mod mine, but I had several friends who did, and they just said they couldn't play it any more.  I didn't realize they were talking exclusively about online play.

Most MATYians know to block TS3 (legit or not) from accessing the internet, which has always been Pescado's official advice. The issue is not so much the fact that they're doing something nefarious-- this is the same company that shipped out their games with Securom, anybody who trusts them is an idiot. I think the issue is more why they are doing it, and what, exactly, it is they're collecting.

Drakron, it doesn't have any of the SecuROM files with the disk version, I've checked the registry numerous times. They're also required to disclose SecuROM up front these days, it's part of the legal settlement they made with the class action.

I'd love a bit more information on what they intend to collect. Does anyone have a link to where this was discussed before the EP was launched?

I know, EA realized what a bad idea it was the use of online activation and limited activations when everyone bitched about it.

Of course I dont blame SecuROM itself but EA uses of it (Fallout 3 uses it but only the basic disk check, see many peoplecomplaining about it?)



You can read the log yourself as is in text format, it says a lot of things ... like what neighborhood are you playing, what items did you place, what commands you entered, your system specs and other fun private stuff.

And no, they did not told us they were about to start logging that info before ... even the patch notes make no reference to it and only to the added capability of streaming ads.

Which file is it?

I've been searching my files since I learned about this.

Sims3Logs.xml

Its on my documents/TS3 folder.

That's odd, on my machine it's a safari document and won't let me read it.

Edit: I opened it manually with Notepad. Kind of hard to make out, but it seems to track very random details, such as when my sim was hungry...          Luckily, it doesn't seem to track any details about downloads, or any other potentially harmful data.

I'm tempted to edit the file to display "Stop spying on me!", but I doubt it would get to them anyways.  

Some time ago when I installed Adobe Air for the EA launcher functions, my spidersenses tingled about why they needed to incorporate such a technology. Adobe is pretty vocal about its stance and policy on piracy and their flash player has pushed the envelope on unethical data-collection in my opinion.

Take for example:
http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/antipiracy/prevention.html (http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/antipiracy/prevention.html)

I monitored a while and the addresse I found was only:
174.143.100.241
It sends and receive data from the ports 4077 and 5077;

Also, if you look at ARIN, NET-174-143-100-240-1 is registered to Electronic Arts (RSPC-1243881732254714).
Seems that the connection to port 4077 needs some specific parameters to return a file.

While port 5077 returns the following command line: "MessageId=951&MissingParam=MessageId", which is probably because I have not sent anything through TCP.

The connections happen when you start the game, and when you close it.

Though, while playing, it may collect other data, and send to another IP/port.

If anyone really want to find out exactly what is being sent/received it would need to check the game binary onto these addresses, hack into the server and take a look at the index at htdocs;
It may be they are sending more data than just what's on Sims3Logs.

Interesting research. I was going to ask if that address could be added to peerblock but I don't run peerblock when I play.
 I took all connectivity options away for anything that appears EA in my firewall.
I used to close my firewall to free up ram and cpu but I won't to that anymore.
Could the tracking and sending be traced back to a service that I could disable in Vista?

If anyone does find the contents of one of these transmissions, pls do share the findings with us.

A snippit of what it sends? Sure.

<Sims3Telemetry count="71">
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="19" eventStr="15"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="1" eventStr="Windows 7  6.1~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="1" eventStr="~.7600 "/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="16" eventStr="AuthenticAMD A~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="16" eventStr="~MD Athlon(tm)~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="16" eventStr="~ 64 Processor~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="16" eventStr="~ 3500+"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="17" eventStr="NVIDIA GeForce~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="17" eventStr="~ 7600 GS Vend~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="17" eventStr="~or: 10de, Dev~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="17" eventStr="~ice: 02e1, Bo~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="17" eventStr="~ard: a5423842~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="17" eventStr="~, Chipset: 00~"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="17" eventStr="~a2"/>
  <Event moduleId="1" groupId="18" eventStr="0.RL-2.0.104"/>
  <Event moduleId="0" groupId="0" eventStr="Twinbrook - Ca~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="12" eventStr="T:00:29:22.367~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="12" eventStr="~0000"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="12" eventStr="H:00:05:35.617~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="12" eventStr="~0000"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="13" eventStr="I:7"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="13" eventStr="D:0"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="8" eventStr="B:0"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="8" eventStr="D:0"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="8" eventStr="M:0"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="8" eventStr="S:0"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="8" eventStr="W:4780"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="8" eventStr="P:0"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="8" eventStr="S:0"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="9" eventStr="L:GhostHunter:3"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="11" eventStr="L:Logic:3"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="11" eventStr="L:Handiness:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:FreshClothin~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~g:7"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Smelly:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:DirtySurroun~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~dings:7"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:UnevenCookin~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~g:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:NicelyDecora~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~ted:4"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Lonely:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Fulfilled:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:PowerStudy:1~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~85"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:BeautifullyD~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~ecorated:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:CleanSheets:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:SqueakyClean~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Disgusted:58"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Sleepy:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:WellRested:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Hungry:4"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Desolate:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:EnjoyingMusi~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~c:4"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:HasToPee:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:FilthySurrou~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~ndings:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Comfy:6"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Tired:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Meal:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Amused:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Grungy:3"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:Decorated:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="B:VeryHungry:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="S:NewspaperDel~"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="~ivery:2"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="R:Hospital:1"/>
  <Event moduleId="4" groupId="10" eventStr="R:Restaurant:1"/></Sims3Telemetry>

I'm using Windows Firewall (Win7) and I've just blocked outbound connection for TS3.exe, TS3EP01.exe, TS3SP01.exe, and TS3EP02.exe. Is it enough? Do I have to block the launcher and/or inbound connections too?

@bowrain: it can't hurt to block them, just remember what you blocked if you ever need to use the launcher for any reason. It is possible that current or future features require a connect of sorts to validate processes, I'd even say  it's likely.

@IAmTheRad: thanks for the snippet--I actually don't mind what info I can decypher from those strings, the problem is that, like you, I believe they may be sending other stuff and sharing with partners. This ad thing means they intend to collect and build marketing databases to push sales for the various demographic targets. In short, I smell a rat.

They sort of did, that EULA that was quoted a bit back? I reinstalled about 2 months ago due to pure fail on my part I assume, just for the fuck of it I read the entire EULA, it did say that it would collect anonymous info and share it. This is not a new EULA with Ambitions. They don't have to mention it in any patches, you already agreed to it when you installed the game.

I use Tiny Personal Firewall, best firewall for personal use I've found yet. It runs great on WinXP, couldn't get it going on Vista. It's an older version with less fingers in every pie.

http://www.box.net/shared/2s0m1lf2yl

How does that matter? Everything they can collect at that point is harmless in comparison to what they're already collecting. I see no alternative to analyzing the player's behaviour and feature usage to better tailor the product to the player. I think this is kind of a naive approach, though. Of course you have to give the players what they expect, but that alone will never satisfy them.

Are you trying to ask an obvious question here? It matters because player information being collected in a less-than-forthcoming manner. I don't care what they're analyzing. EA has already shown that they have zero interest in their customers beyond profit. They managed to damage the computers of legitimately paying customers with Securom, and did they care? Not until there was a lawsuit.

The people whose information is being collected here won't be pirates, since most of them are smart enough to block the game from connecting to the internet. It's the people who paid for the game legally and blindly trust EA.


Since, apparently, you did not read this the first time, I will say it again: anyone who trusts EA is an idiot. Just because other companies are able to collect information about their users anonymously and safely does not mean EA will.

If this were true, the game would be so much better than it is.  They want to know what people are interested in so they know what ads to try and shove down your throat when they activate the in game advertisements.

If they REALLY want to know about peoples playing habits to better tailor the game, all they would have to do is run an on-line survey asking people what they want.  It would be no more difficult to work through the results of an on-line survey than to sort through all the crap being "Anonymously" sent to them.

So if a guy beats you down and rapes you, can things really get worse if he asks you to take a peek in your wallet afterwards?


Judging by the sims forums out there, TS3 is precisely what the majority of players want.
Surveys are nowhere as conclusive as a code-generated analysis. That is a fact.

Jesus Christ, your response makes absolutely no sense. Are you taking the position that, because EA has already fucked over some of its users, it's okay if it goes ahead and fucks over the rest too?

You just don't get it, do you? When a user allows his game behavior getting logged, they already have all the most confidential data from this specific user they can get. For the users they already fuck, the optional data logging doesn't make the matter any more serious. For the users who don't let themselves getting fucked, it's no concern anyway.

No, I'm getting the feeling that you're missing the point here. The issue is that they are logging player data and being extremely vague about it. If this thread didn't exist, how many people would even know it was happening? Nowhere on the official website is it covered, and the only mention of it in the game is buried in the EULA. The option is enabled by default when it loads, and nowhere in game does it specify what this data even consists of. When EA is intentionally cryptic about something, that should be a red flag to players.

Yes, the majority of MATYians are smart enough to keep the game from connecting to the internet. But by determining what it is that EA wants to log, this gives a us a better idea of where they are looking to go in the future. Saying, "well, some people are already screwed anyway" is irrelevant.

Your analogy not only makes zero sense, it is SUPER fucking offensive. Being raped is not the same as EA not doing what you want them to do. At WORST that's like paying a prostitute and getting no sex/bad sex for yo moneh.

If you're running an aar'd version it isn't automatically ticked by default. I saw all this before I installed my game and the first thing I did was go hunting for the option to turn it off (even though Sims is banned from internet connection on my PC anyways) and it was not enabled. Yet another reason to try before you buy. That said - I like Ambitions. I'm going to go out and pay for it. I'm just not going to register it or let it access the internet in any way.

Nope, sorry, I have an Arr'd game and mine was ticked by default. Maybe it has to do with connection to the net at install? I didn't bother disconnecting before install, but kept an eye on my firewall.

No idea why some are ticked at load up and some aren't. I'm running an ARR'd copy and disconnect from the internet when I play, yet it was ticked by default when I loaded it up.

Hmm, interesting. I never disconnect my internet (well, not unless I'm really worried). I just trust my firewall and the fact that Sims is already banned. Maybe it has something to do with me forgetting to put in my no CD crack and getting a cannot verify report and having to go out, put in crack and reload.

The code-generated data tells them what people do with the game now, it doesn't tell them what people WANT the game to do.  It tells them what objects and interactions people use now, not what objects and interactions they WANT.

I want spiral staircases, that we got in AL, and I want one turning left and one turning right.  How is my playing the game and sending code-generated data for analysis going to tell EAxis that is what I WANT in the game?  It doesn't because they don't exist to use.  The only way to get that information is through a survey asking people what they WANT.

Only a few real people get to do EA's surveys, the 12s massrush them and then the surveys close. EA may as well just have a big tickbox labelled 'Pets' and leave it at that.

I do no think they care about how you are playing to that level of detail.

I think that the user profiling and in-game ad capability are two parts of the same EA strategy.

"Coming soon:  'The Sims 3 - Twilight'".

Ugh, bite your tongue!

You know I was thinking yesterday how much I missed vampires, and then had the most dreadful realisation that if we got them in TS3, they would MOST PROBABLY SPARKLE.

But the Sims 2 vampires were also an unpleasant extreme. Two ends of the scale:

1. Bleh I vant to suck ur blood bleh bleh im a bat, semi-badass vampires
2. Teehee, I'm passive agressive and a total douchenozzle but hey, you love me anyway! Shing, sparkle sparkle

I want in-between. Gimme some sexy vampires who are ALSO badass, who have lots of sex just because they can, don't need to eat human food, HAVE to drink blood, and can fly and conjure fire and use light magic and such. Vampires that slowly turn transparent and glass-like after a long time of being vampires before turning into solid glass and existing in suspended animation forever.

Yes. Yes, I do indeed like Anne Rice vampires, WHAT OF IT?!

I like the classic monster movie\superstition vampires. Rising from the dead, sapping blood or life energy, ridiculous ways to kill and deter them. Who knew that vampires where obsessive compulsive? Steal their sock, fill it with rocks, and sink it in the river, they won't roam. One common way to distract them was to throw poppy seeds at them, they'd be compelled to stop and count them. Sleeping in a circle of salt with protect you, not just from vampires, but other evils as well. The way to stop them from rising from the grave is to drive a stake through their chest, pinning them into the ground. I suspect that is where the driving a stake into their heart to kill them came from. Cut their head off and fill their mouth with garlic, will stop them. Also, vampire pumpkins and watermelons.

I'll admit, a sexy vampire is pretty nice, but the real superstitions are much more interesting.

I have EA blocked from accessing the internet, and I unchecked keylogger in the game options.  However, every time I go into the options menu, the keylogger is rechecked again.  How do I get the stupid thing turned off FOREVAH?! 

A lot of interesting paranoia speak here but have any of you even bothered to run a packet sniffer before getting all up in arms?

The data logging was enabled by default on my game as well though it doesn't matter as it's blocked from the net.  Why people allow games like this to access the net is beyond me.  The only real excuse is if the game is an online mmo.

Online Massive Multiplayer Online?

Ahem, anyway, the check box that let's you enable and disable the data logging doesn't seem to work properly (at least in my game). If enabletelemetry is 0 in Options.ini the check box is unchecked. If enabletelemetry is 1 the check box is... also unchecked!
The only way to disable it is to manually edit Options.ini and set enabletelemetry to 0.

Thanks for the specifics, Tyyppi - that's the info I needed.