EA's Origin app, launched in 2011 as a rival to Steam, is being replaced by the EA app. This transition, however, comes with significant drawbacks. The clunky user experience and frustrating login procedures that plagued Origin haven't been addressed, and the switch presents a risk of losing access to purchased games for users who don't migrate their accounts properly. This means gamers who owned titles on Origin might find themselves locked out if they fail to complete the account transfer.
Furthermore, the EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems, leaving users of 32-bit systems in the lurch. While Steam also dropped 32-bit support in early 2024, this move highlights concerns about digital ownership and access to purchased content. It's unlikely that recent PC buyers will be affected, but older systems running 32-bit Windows versions (like some Windows 10 versions sold until 2020) are incompatible. A simple RAM check (32-bit systems have a 4GB limit) can determine if your system is affected. Remediation requires a complete system wipe and 64-bit OS reinstallation.
This situation underscores the fragility of digital game ownership. Losing access to a game library due to OS changes is frustrating, and this isn't unique to EA; Valve's Steam also dropped 32-bit support. The increasing use of invasive DRM solutions like Denuvo, with their kernel-level access and arbitrary installation limits, further exacerbates this problem.
A potential solution is to support platforms like GOG, which offers DRM-free games. GOG's model ensures that purchased games remain accessible on any compatible hardware, indefinitely. While this approach opens the door to piracy, it hasn't prevented new releases, with titles like the upcoming RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 slated for release on the platform.
