EA's Origin App, launched in 2011 as a rival to Steam, failed to gain widespread popularity due to its cumbersome user interface and frustrating login process. Now, EA is replacing Origin with the EA app, a move that unfortunately comes with some significant drawbacks.
Users who exclusively used Origin may lose access to their purchased games unless they actively transfer their accounts to the new EA app. This means a potential loss of access to games like Titanfall for those who haven't migrated.
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 earlier in 2024, this transition highlights concerns about digital ownership and access to purchased content. It's unlikely that many modern PC users are affected, but those with older systems, particularly those running 32-bit versions of Windows 10 (sold until 2020), will be impacted. A simple RAM check (32-bit systems have a 4GB maximum) can determine if this affects you. Reinstalling a 64-bit OS is necessary for those with 32-bit Windows.
This situation underscores the vulnerabilities of digital game ownership. The loss of access to a game library due to platform changes or operating system limitations is a significant concern. This isn't unique to EA, as Valve's Steam also dropped 32-bit support.
The increasing prevalence of invasive DRM solutions like Denuvo further complicates the issue, often requiring deep system access or imposing arbitrary installation limits.
A potential solution is to support platforms like GOG, which offers DRM-free games. This ensures that purchased games remain accessible regardless of hardware changes, although this approach does present challenges regarding software piracy. Despite this, GOG continues to attract new releases, with the upcoming RPG, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, soon to be added to their catalog.
