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, yet Origin never truly gained widespread popularity. A clunky user experience and frustrating logins led many PC gamers to avoid it. Despite this, EA's persistence has culminated in Origin's replacement by the similarly criticized EA app.
This transition, however, comes with significant caveats. Users who exclusively used Origin and haven't migrated their accounts risk losing access to purchased games, including titles like *Titanfall*. 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, this decision raises concerns about digital ownership.
The impact on 32-bit users is minimal, given the prevalence of 64-bit systems in recent years. However, older Windows 10 installations (up to 2020) included 32-bit versions. A simple RAM check (32-bit systems max out at 4GB) can determine your system type. If you're running a 32-bit OS, reinstalling a 64-bit version of Windows is necessary.
The phasing out of 32-bit support, while unsurprising in 2024, underscores the fragility of digital game ownership. Losing access to a purchased library due to hardware changes is frustrating. This issue isn't exclusive to EA; Valve's similar move with Steam leaves some players stranded. The increasing use of invasive DRM solutions like Denuvo, with their kernel-level access and arbitrary installation limits, further complicates matters.
GOG, run by CD Projekt, offers a compelling alternative. Its DRM-free approach ensures that downloaded games remain playable on any compatible hardware, indefinitely. While this model opens the door to piracy, it hasn't deterred new releases, with *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* slated for release on the platform.
