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 users.
One major concern is the loss of access to games. Users who haven't migrated their accounts from Origin to the new EA app risk losing access to their purchased games. This highlights the precarious nature of digital ownership.
Furthermore, the EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems, leaving users with 32-bit systems in the lurch. While Steam also dropped 32-bit support in early 2024, this move still raises concerns about accessibility and digital rights. Although unlikely, users with older PCs running 32-bit Windows (versions sold until 2020) will need to upgrade their OS to maintain access. A simple RAM check can determine if your system is 32-bit (maximum 4GB RAM).
This situation underscores the fragility of digital game ownership. Losing access to a purchased library due to hardware or software changes is a frustrating reality, experienced by users of both Steam and Origin. The increasing prevalence of invasive DRM solutions, like Denuvo, further complicates the issue, imposing arbitrary limitations despite legitimate purchases.
A potential solution is to support platforms like GOG, which offers DRM-free games. This ensures that purchased games remain accessible regardless of future hardware changes. While this approach opens the door to piracy, it doesn't seem to deter developers, as evidenced by the upcoming release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on GOG. The debate continues about balancing consumer rights with the challenges of digital distribution and piracy prevention.
