EA Shuts Down Origin, Impacting Users

EA's Origin App, launched in 2011, aimed to provide a platform for browsing and purchasing EA's PC games, offering an alternative to Steam. A significant move during this period was mandating the use of Origin for playing Mass Effect 3 in 2012. However, the app struggled to gain widespread acceptance due to its clunky user interface and cumbersome login processes, leading many PC gamers to avoid it. Despite these challenges, EA continued to support Origin until recently deciding to replace it with the new, yet similarly clunky, EA app.

The transition to the EA app comes with significant implications. For instance, if you own Titanfall on Origin but can't access your account, you risk losing your games unless you formally switch to an EA account. Additionally, the new app supports only 64-bit operating systems, leaving 32-bit system users behind. While this move aligns with industry trends—Steam also discontinued 32-bit support in early 2024—it's worth noting that Microsoft continued to sell 32-bit versions of Windows 10 until 2020. Windows 11, on the other hand, is exclusively 64-bit. Users can easily check their system's compatibility by assessing their RAM; a 32-bit OS is limited to 4GB, so systems with more RAM are likely running a 64-bit OS. If you find yourself with a 32-bit OS, a complete system wipe and reinstallation of a 64-bit OS will be necessary.

While dropping 32-bit support might not be surprising in 2024, it raises concerns about digital ownership. Losing access to a long-held game library due to hardware changes is frustrating, and it's not just EA; Valve's Steam has also phased out 32-bit support, leaving users with older systems in a bind. Moreover, the increasing use of invasive digital DRM solutions like Denuvo, which often require deep system access or impose installation limits, further complicates the landscape of digital ownership.

For those looking to preserve their digital libraries, GOG, operated by CD Projekt, offers a solution. Every game on GOG is DRM-free, ensuring that once you download a title, you can run and own it indefinitely on supported hardware. While this model could potentially encourage software piracy, it hasn't deterred developers from releasing new titles on the platform. An example is the upcoming RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, set to be available on GOG soon.