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

EA's Origin app, launched in 2011 as a rival to Steam, is finally being replaced by the EA app. This transition, however, comes with significant drawbacks. The clunky user experience and frustrating logins that plagued Origin haven't been resolved, and the switch presents challenges for existing users.

Users who haven't migrated their accounts from Origin to the EA app risk losing access to their purchased games. This is particularly concerning for those who own titles like Titanfall on Origin.

Furthermore, the EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems, leaving users of 32-bit systems in the lurch. While Steam also dropped 32-bit support in early 2024, this move highlights concerns about digital game ownership and access. Most modern PCs use 64-bit systems, but users with older 32-bit Windows installations (like some Windows 10 versions sold until 2020) will need to reinstall their OS to access their games. A simple RAM check (32-bit systems max out at 4GB) can help determine if this applies.

This situation underscores the precarious nature of digital game ownership. Losing access to a purchased library due to system changes is a frustrating reality, affecting both Origin and Steam users. The increasing prevalence of invasive DRM solutions, such as Denuvo, further complicates matters, often requiring deep system access or imposing arbitrary installation limits.

A potential solution is supporting platforms like GOG, which offer DRM-free games. GOG's model ensures that downloaded titles remain playable on any compatible hardware indefinitely. While this approach opens the door to piracy, it hasn't prevented the platform from attracting new releases, with titles like the upcoming RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 slated for release.