Origin's Last Stand: EA Tightens Grip Amidst User Departure

EA's Origin app, launched in 2011 as a rival to Steam, is finally being replaced by the EA app. While intended to streamline EA's PC game distribution, Origin's clunky interface and frustrating logins led to widespread user dissatisfaction. This transition, however, comes with significant drawbacks.

Users who haven't migrated their accounts from Origin to the new 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 the precarious nature of digital game ownership. The likelihood of a modern PC running a 32-bit OS is low, but users with older systems, particularly those with Windows 10 versions sold before 2020, will be affected. A simple RAM check (32-bit systems max out at 4GB) can determine if this is a concern. Reinstalling a 64-bit OS is necessary for those using 32-bit Windows.

This situation raises questions about digital ownership rights. Losing access to a purchased game library due to system upgrades is frustrating. This isn't unique to EA; Valve's Steam platform also dropped 32-bit support.

The issue is compounded by increasingly prevalent intrusive DRM solutions like Denuvo, which often require deep system access or impose arbitrary installation limits.

A viable alternative is GOG, a DRM-free platform run by CD Projekt. Games purchased on GOG can be played on any compatible hardware indefinitely, offering a more secure form of digital ownership. While this approach opens the door to potential piracy, it hasn't prevented the platform from attracting new releases, including the upcoming Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.