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's clunky user experience and frustrating logins deterred many PC gamers. Despite this, EA persevered, only to now replace Origin with the equally criticized EA app.
This transition comes with significant drawbacks. Players 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 move raises concerns about digital ownership.
It's highly improbable that anyone with a relatively recent PC or laptop uses a 32-bit OS. Microsoft ceased selling 32-bit versions of Windows 10 in 2020, and Windows 11 exclusively supports 64-bit. A simple RAM check can confirm your system's architecture: 32-bit systems are limited to 4GB of RAM. If you have more, you're likely fine. However, if you're running a 32-bit version of Windows, a 64-bit reinstall is necessary.
The abandonment of 32-bit support, while unsurprising in 2024, underscores the vulnerabilities of digital game ownership. Losing access to a game library due to hardware changes is frustrating. This isn't unique to EA; Valve's Steam also dropped 32-bit support, leaving some users stranded.
The increasing prevalence of invasive DRM solutions like Denuvo further complicates matters. These often require deep system access or impose arbitrary installation limits, despite legitimate purchase. This contrasts with platforms like GOG, run by CD Projekt, which offers a DRM-free alternative. GOG's games are yours to keep, playable on any compatible hardware, forever.
While the DRM-free model opens the door to piracy, it hasn't deterred new releases. The upcoming RPG *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* is slated for release on GOG, demonstrating the platform's viability.
