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 persist. More concerningly, users who haven't migrated their accounts from Origin to the new EA app risk losing access to their purchased games.

This shift also leaves behind users of 32-bit operating systems, as the EA app only supports 64-bit systems. While this mirrors Steam's decision to drop 32-bit support, it highlights the precarious nature of digital game ownership. The vast majority of modern PCs use 64-bit systems, but users with older hardware face losing access to their game libraries. A simple RAM check (32-bit systems are limited to 4GB) can determine if this affects you. If you are running a 32-bit system and wish to continue playing, a complete system reinstallation with a 64-bit OS is necessary.

This situation underscores broader concerns about digital rights management (DRM). Invasive DRM solutions, like Denuvo, often require extensive system access, imposing arbitrary limitations despite legitimate purchase.

A potential solution is supporting platforms like GOG, which offers DRM-free games. Games purchased on GOG remain accessible regardless of hardware changes, ensuring long-term ownership. While this approach presents challenges for developers regarding piracy, it offers a compelling alternative for gamers seeking lasting access to their digital libraries. The upcoming release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on GOG further demonstrates the viability of this DRM-free model.