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 persevered, only to now replace Origin with the equally criticized EA app. This transition comes with significant caveats. Players who only own *Titanfall* on Origin, for example, risk losing access unless they actively transfer their accounts. Furthermore, the EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems, leaving 32-bit users behind. While Steam also dropped 32-bit support in early 2024, it's highly improbable that anyone with a relatively recent PC still uses a 32-bit OS. Windows 11, for instance, only supports 64-bit. A simple RAM check can determine your system type; 32-bit systems are limited to 4GB of RAM.

The discontinuation of 32-bit support, while unsurprising in 2024, raises concerns about digital ownership. Losing access to years' worth of purchased games due to hardware changes is frustrating. This isn't unique to EA; Valve's Steam also dropped 32-bit support, leaving some players stranded. The increasing prevalence of invasive DRM solutions like Denuvo, with their kernel-level access and arbitrary installation limits, further complicates matters.

One solution is supporting GOG, a DRM-free platform. Games purchased on GOG can be played on any compatible hardware, ensuring long-term access. While this opens the door to piracy, it hasn't deterred new releases, with *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* slated for release on the platform.