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 this ambition, yet Origin never truly gained widespread popularity. Its clunky user experience and frustrating logins led many PC gamers to avoid it.
Despite this, EA persisted, only to now replace Origin with the equally criticized EA app. This transition, however, comes with significant caveats. If you own games on Origin but haven't transferred your account to the EA app, you risk losing access to your purchased titles. This is particularly concerning for those who own *Titanfall* on Origin.
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 move raises concerns about digital ownership. Although unlikely for recent PC owners, some users might still be running 32-bit Windows systems (versions of Windows 10 sold until 2020).
A simple RAM check can determine your system's architecture. 32-bit systems are limited to 4GB of RAM. If you have more than 4GB, you're likely running a 64-bit OS. However, if you're using a 32-bit version of Windows, you'll need to reinstall a 64-bit version.
The phasing out of 32-bit support, while unsurprising in 2024, highlights the precarious nature of digital game ownership. Losing access to years of purchased games due to hardware changes is frustrating, a problem not exclusive to EA, as Valve's Steam also dropped 32-bit support.
Invasive digital rights management (DRM) solutions, such as Denuvo, are becoming increasingly prevalent. These often require deep system access or impose arbitrary installation limits, despite legitimate purchases.
A viable alternative for preserving digital game libraries is 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 stopped new titles, such as the upcoming *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*, from launching on the platform.
