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

EA's Origin app, launched in 2011, aimed to rival Steam as a digital storefront for EA's PC games. The mandatory Origin requirement for *Mass Effect 3* in 2012 highlighted its ambition, but Origin never truly gained widespread acceptance. A clunky user experience and frustrating logins led many PC gamers to avoid it.

Despite this, EA persisted, only to now replace Origin with the equally criticized EA app. This transition comes with significant drawbacks. Players who haven't migrated their accounts from Origin risk losing access to purchased games. For example, if you own *Titanfall* on Origin and haven't transferred, you're out of luck.

Adding to the frustration, the EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems, leaving 32-bit users behind. While Steam also dropped 32-bit support in early 2024, this move raises concerns about digital ownership. Losing access to a game library due to hardware changes is undeniably frustrating.

It's highly improbable that anyone with a recently purchased or built PC uses a 32-bit OS. However, Microsoft sold 32-bit Windows 10 versions until 2020. If you're on Windows 11, you're safe; 64-bit support debuted with Windows Vista nearly two decades ago. A simple RAM check can confirm your system type; 32-bit systems are limited to 4GB of RAM. If you have more, you're likely fine. If you're running a 32-bit Windows, a 64-bit reinstall is necessary.

While dropping 32-bit support isn't surprising, it underscores the fragility of digital ownership. Both EA and Steam's decisions leave users with incompatible hardware in the lurch. This issue extends beyond platform limitations. Invasive DRM solutions like Denuvo, with their kernel-level access and arbitrary installation limits, further complicate matters.

GOG, run by CD Projekt, offers a compelling alternative. Its DRM-free model ensures that purchased games remain accessible regardless of hardware changes. While this opens the door to piracy, it hasn't hindered the platform's growth, with titles like the upcoming *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* slated for release.