EA Is Dealing the Final Blow to Origin, and Taking Some Users With It

EA's Origin app, launched in 2011 as a competitor to Steam, is finally being replaced by the EA app. This transition, however, comes with significant drawbacks. The move highlights ongoing concerns about digital game ownership and the limitations imposed by digital rights management (DRM).

Origin's less-than-stellar user experience and frustrating login process led many PC gamers to avoid it. Despite this, EA's persistence has culminated in a replacement that, according to many, is equally cumbersome. The switch presents a major hurdle for users: those who haven't transferred their Origin accounts to the EA app risk losing access to their purchased games.

Adding to the inconvenience, the EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems. This leaves users of 32-bit systems, while a dwindling number, without access to their games. While Steam also dropped 32-bit support in early 2024, the reality is that most modern PCs utilize 64-bit systems. Users running older 32-bit Windows versions (like some Windows 10 installations prior to 2020) will need to reinstall their operating system to access their games. A simple RAM check (32-bit systems max out at 4GB) can help determine if a system upgrade is necessary.

This situation underscores the precarious nature of digital game ownership. The loss of access to purchased games due to platform changes or hardware limitations is a growing concern. This isn't unique to EA; Valve's Steam platform also dropped 32-bit support, leaving some players stranded.

Furthermore, the increasing use of invasive DRM solutions, like Denuvo, adds another layer of complexity. These DRM systems often require deep system access and may impose arbitrary installation limits, regardless of legitimate purchase.

A potential solution for preserving digital game libraries is to support platforms like GOG, which offers DRM-free games. GOG's model ensures that once a game is downloaded, it remains accessible on any compatible hardware, indefinitely. While this approach opens the door to piracy concerns, it hasn't deterred new game releases, with titles like the upcoming Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 slated for release on the platform. The ongoing debate about DRM and digital ownership continues to shape the PC gaming landscape.