The game launcher and digital distribution platform previously known as Origin has just been reborn as the EA App in a move that many have compared to the recent rebranding of Uplay as Ubisoft Connect and Battle.net as the Blizzard App. The latter was reverted back to Battle.net in order to preserve the long history of the platform. EA noted back in 2020 that Origin would eventually be replaced by the EA App, announcing the start of an open beta in the process.
“Today, we’re thrilled to announce that the EA App has officially left its open beta phase and will soon replace Origin as our primary PC platform,” the company said in a statement. “The EA App is our fastest and lightest PC client to date. With the new streamlined design, you will easily find the games and content you’re looking for and discover your new favorite games. With automatic game downloads and background updates, you can ensure that your games are ready to play when you are.”
The release of course raises a lot of questions. EA has already provided some answers to a couple of the most pressing of these including how the launcher is going to be rolled out to consumers. “For our Origin players, we’ve worked hard to make the transition to the EA App as simple as possible,” the same statement explains. “We will be inviting you to make the move soon and by the time you receive your invite, all your games and content including games previously installed will be ready and waiting for you on the EA App. Your local and cloud saves will transfer forward ensuring you can pick up where you left off. Your friends list transfers, too.”
When it comes to account linking with platforms like Steam and Epic, the company has been a little bit unclear, noting only that “we will provide guidance directly through Steam about which app (the EA App or Origin) to download to ensure you can access and play your EA games.” Players can apparently keep using Origin if they prefer, but how long this will be the case remains to be seen.
Origin was first launched on June 3, 2011. The game launcher was immediately met with a wave of criticism from players, many at the time noting a preference for its primary competitor, Steam. This was however not enough to stop Origin from becoming a substantial success, growing to well over 50 million users by 2013. The name has long been rumored to come from Origin Systems, a company founded on March 3, 1983 by the legendary game designer Richard Garriott, mostly known for creating the Ultima and Wing Commander franchises. Origin Systems was purchased by EA in 1992.