Tue Jan 28 20:00:00 UTC 2025: ## EA Shuts Down Origin, Replacing It with the “Clunky” EA App

**REDWOOD CITY, CA** – Electronic Arts (EA) is ending its long-running Origin platform, replacing it with the new EA app. While the move aims to streamline the company’s PC game distribution, it’s sparking mixed reactions among gamers.

Origin, launched in 2011, became infamous for being a cumbersome and unpopular third-party launcher. Many gamers criticized its slow loading times, difficult navigation, and the added inconvenience of managing another game library separate from platforms like Steam. While EA did offer free games periodically through Origin, this was not enough to offset the overwhelmingly negative user experience.

The new EA app, however, will be exclusive to 64-bit systems, leaving users with older computers unable to access their game libraries unless they upgrade. EA assures that game ownership and cloud saves will transfer, but the 64-bit requirement is already raising concerns.

This shift follows a broader trend in the gaming industry. Other publishers like Ubisoft and Bethesda have begun releasing games on Steam, demonstrating a growing recognition that forcing players to use separate launchers can negatively impact sales. EA’s move to consolidate its games into one app, albeit a potentially problematic one, reflects this shift towards player convenience. However, the general feeling is that the industry may be learning this lesson too slowly. Gamers have long expressed frustration with the proliferation of third-party launchers, and the EA App’s launch isn’t likely to alleviate those concerns entirely.

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