EA Shutting Down Origin on April 17, Recommends Upgrade to EA App

[T0@st]

On April 17, 2025, Origin will shut down, as Microsoft has stopped supporting 32-bit software. If you use Origin, you need to upgrade to the EA app, which requires a 64-bit version of Windows. Find out how to update your Windows operating system to get the most out of the EA app.

What is the EA app?
The EA app is our enhanced platform for PC games. Optimized for the best user experience, it lets you easily find what you need and get into the game quicker than ever. Don't have it yet? Download the EA app here. The EA app doesn't support 32-bit versions of Windows. You'll need to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system on your device to play your games. See if the version of Windows you're running is 32 or 64-bit.




Will your account and games transfer to the EA app?
Yes, your account and games will transfer to the EA app. Log in to the EA app with the same account you use for Origin. When you log in, any games you had on Origin will be ready to play. Games that list in-game hours in Origin will list the same hours in the EA app. Anything you've saved through Origin's cloud will also transfer.



We can't promise that mods will transfer to the EA app. Check with mod creators to see if your content can be transferred. If you think something's missing in the EA app, contact us.

Will you have to redownload your games?
If you're upgrading to a new operating system, you won't need to redownload your games. If you need to switch to a newer device, you'll need to transfer your data.

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[londiste]

EA App went out of beta in late 2022 after being available as beta since 2020 or so. When using Origin you were notified that EA App is the future I think ever since it was out of beta.
This has been a long time coming.

 

[Assimilator]

Good riddance to Orifice.

 

[lexluthermiester]

So they're replacing one garbage client for another? No Thanks EA.

Congrats on your continued garbage DRM.. /s

 

[chrcoluk]

What was the reason they couldnt just compile Origin as a 64bit binary?

 

[Assimilator]

What was the reason they couldnt just compile Origin as a 64bit binary?

It's EA, so I imagine that the answer is "blatant incompetence".

 

[lexluthermiester]

What was the reason they couldnt just compile Origin as a 64bit binary?

They want everyone to shift over to the microsoft "App" store system. It's just more DRM control..

It's EA, so I imagine that the answer is "blatant incompetence".

Not far off..

 

[Baba]

I use Origin and I think that's because I can play 100% offline. I forgot exactly why I had to downgrade. Maybe EA app just didn't work. Can EA app stay offline? I'll need to get all the EA games I need before the cut off.

 

[londiste]

What was the reason they couldnt just compile Origin as a 64bit binary?

Why would that be better?

They want everyone to shift over to microsoft "App" store system. It's just more DRM control..

What does EA App have to do with MS App Store? I think it is not even available in Microsoft Store, only as installer from EA page.

I use Origin and I think that's because I can play 100% offline. I forgot exactly why I had to downgrade. Maybe EA app just didn't work. Can EA app stay offline? I'll need to get all the EA games I need before the cut off.

Have not had the need for extensively playing offline but EA App also does have Offline mode.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

"as Microsoft has stopped supporting 32-bit software"

I've seen this posted elsewhere but have found nothing supporting it. The only thing I can find is Microsoft stopped support of 32 bit versions of windows. I've found nothing on MS dropping support for 32 bit apps. Where is this coming from?

 

[lexluthermiester]

What does EA App have to do with MS App Store? I think it is not even available in Microsoft Store, only as installer from EA page.

Huh. Ok, my bad. Whenever someone calls their software an "App" I think the App store. I'm kind of surprised they haven't done that yet..

I've seen this posted elsewhere but have found nothing supporting it.

It's a press release statement from the marketing flan at EA. You can't expect them to understand tech specs.

 

[Assimilator]

"as Microsoft has stopped supporting 32-bit software"

I've seen this posted elsewhere but have found nothing supporting it. The only thing I can find is Microsoft stopped support of 32 bit versions of windows. I've found nothing on MS dropping support for 32 bit apps. Where is this coming from?

Presumably they're referring to Windows 11 which is 64-bit only.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Presumably they're referring to Windows 11 which is 64-bit only.

Which then just enhances the stupid, since 32 bit software runs just fine on 64 bit windows......

 

[chrcoluk]

I use Origin and I think that's because I can play 100% offline. I forgot exactly why I had to downgrade. Maybe EA app just didn't work. Can EA app stay offline? I'll need to get all the EA games I need before the cut off.

I just installed it as I realised I hadnt even reinstalled origin since I fresh did windows a few years back.

There is an option to go offline.
Its definitely lightweight in terms of cpu cycles and loading speed.
It requires internet access to launch (in standard mode at least) and downloads a fair bit of data on every launch.
Had to give 5 binaries internet access.
It installs a background service, is an option to turn this off, but when I turned it off the service stayed running when closing the app. So I expect the option just prevents it auto starting on windows boot.
It picked up all my origin games.
For promotions, its not that bad, you can turn off promotional notifications, and is no popups.
You can also disable auto game updates and auto app updates, so you keep that control.

 

[Assimilator]

Which then just enhances the stupid, since 32 bit software runs just fine on 64 bit windows......

Again, EA == incompetence.

 

[londiste]

Which then just enhances the stupid, since 32 bit software runs just fine on 64 bit windows......

Again, EA == incompetence.

This is not stupid or incompetence. It is clearly just marketing.

They essentially stopped developing Origin something like 3-4 years ago and have been working on EA App that is the successor. It being a 64-bit app is just a marketable point. Pretty much the same as calling it EA App instead of Origin which does not really have a technical reason. They could have kept naming it Origin, run a parallel beta line and switch over at some point - like now. But they wanted some marketable bits, more brand recognition - Origin did not have EA in the name - etc.

All this has little to do with technical realities

While I have a certain dislike for the standard UI/UX in current crop of DRM platform apps, Origin was pretty clearly obsolete from both technical as well as look & feel aspect and needed overhaul or replacement. That ended up being replacement in form of EA App. As far as running and managing games and stuff, they have clearly been working on backend as well which is nice.

 

[lexluthermiester]

This is not stupid or incompetence. It is clearly just marketing.

This is why so many problems exist in the tech industry, too many marketing people who are very ignorant to what they're involved in. @Assimilator is correct, this is incompetence on the part of the marketing people. It's a very bad look for them, but not at all surprising from EA.

 

[DarkDreams]

When Origin uninstalls it just flat out deletes the entire folder and everything in it. I had my Battlefield 5 installation there and it was just gone, so much for not having to reinstall anything.
So just make sure there is nothing important in the origin folder before you switch.

 

[Onasi]

Why even have a separate client? All of their new releases are on Steam now, it’s just an additional level of software bloat nobody asked for. I assume they are desperately hoping that people will switch to buying their games through that (for… some reason) and they get a bigger cut? Ah, EA.

 

[ScaLibBDP]

What was the reason they couldnt just compile Origin as a 64bit binary?

It is really strange. Since the times of introduction first 64-bit operating systems it is a Normal Step Forward for a software vendor to port a software from 32-bit to 64-bit.

As a C/C++ software engineer I know that this is Not a simple process of re-compiling 32-bit software because lots of small fixes are always needed. Usually, after a couple of weeks of porting the Beta version of software is ready for full scale testing.

Once again, it is really strange that EA doesn't want to do create 64-bit version of the application.

 

[Random_User]

Good riddance to Orifice.

The problem is, that It seemed, that it coudn't be any worse. But EA being EA, and EA App is even worse! It's miles worse, to the point of being cimpletely unusable.
This is such an irony, that the Origin being hated garbage launcher. But now people hang on it, and even circuimvent the update to the EA App. Who could guess...

This is not stupid or incompetence. It is clearly just marketing.

They essentially stopped developing Origin something like 3-4 years ago and have been working on EA App that is the successor. It being a 64-bit app is just a marketable point. Pretty much the same as calling it EA App instead of Origin which does not really have a technical reason. They could have kept naming it Origin, run a parallel beta line and switch over at some point - like now. But they wanted some marketable bits, more brand recognition - Origin did not have EA in the name - etc.

All this has little to do with technical realities

While I have a certain dislike for the standard UI/UX in current crop of DRM platform apps, Origin was pretty clearly obsolete from both technical as well as look & feel aspect and needed overhaul or replacement. That ended up being replacement in form of EA App. As far as running and managing games and stuff, they have clearly been working on backend as well which is nice.

They just copycating the Ubisoft. First they made Ubisoft Game Launcher, then Uplay, then turned it into Ubisoft Connect. EA and Ubi, like two degenerated cousins.

And Ubisoft in it's turn Ubi by their decisions and behavior is just looks exactly like the other one, namely Atari. The retarded Duo. Both were the apostles of DRM and unfinished products. One of them has gone for good, but Ubisoft seems to not doing any conclusions.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

The problem is, that It seemed, that it coudn't be any worse. But EA being EA, and EA App is even worse! It's miles worse, to the point of being cimpletely unusable.
This is such an irony, that the Origin being hated garbage launcher. But now people hang on it, and even circuimvent the update to the EA App. Who could guess...


They just copycating the Ubisoft. First they made Ubisoft Game Launcher, then Uplay, then turned it into Ubisoft Connect. EA and Ubi, like two degenerated cousins.

And Ubisoft in it's turn Ubi by their decisions and behavior is just looks exactly like the other one, namely Atari. The retarded Duo. Both were the apostles of DRM and unfinished products. One of them has gone for good, but Ubisoft seems to not doing any conclusions.

There's an easy solution to this:

I havent bought an EA game since battlefield 3, the first and last game I owned that required origin. Nor have I bought an ubi game since being gifted blood dragon, the first and last game I own that needs uplay. Problem solved!

 

[Random_User]

There's an easy solution to this:

I havent bought an EA game since battlefield 3, the first and last game I owned that required origin. Nor have I bought an ubi game since being gifted blood dragon, the first and last game I own that needs uplay. Problem solved!

True! But sadly, there are some games, some very old games, that require EA's garbage launcher.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I havent bought an EA game since battlefield 3, the first and last game I owned that required origin. Nor have I bought an ubi game since being gifted blood dragon, the first and last game I own that needs uplay. Problem solved!

The last EA game I bought was a physical copy that doesn't require a lame-a$$ EA account. Before that was a title on GOG. Those are the only ways I buy EA games. They can otherwise dine on steamy Moose Muffins.

True! But sadly, there are some games, some very old games, that require EA's garbage launcher.

Not many and the titles worth having are easily "patched" out.

 

[Tomorrow]

"as Microsoft has stopped supporting 32-bit software"

I've seen this posted elsewhere but have found nothing supporting it. The only thing I can find is Microsoft stopped support of 32 bit versions of windows. I've found nothing on MS dropping support for 32 bit apps. Where is this coming from?

Yeah that sentence caught my eye. Ending Origin has nothing to do with 32/64 bit.
I suspect this was written by someone who does not understand that even the newest windows has a really efficient WoW64 emulation layer for 32bit apps.
Id say it's one of the best seamless Microsoft inventions. It just works.

In fact i feel it works so well that many developers use it as a crutch so as not to invest time into converting their otherwise constantly updated programs to 64bit. The best example is AIDA64 that even has 64 in the name, but is still 32bit. At least they did add dark mode support...

It is really strange. Since the times of introduction first 64-bit operating systems it is a Normal Step Forward for a software vendor to port a software from 32-bit to 64-bit.

As a C/C++ software engineer I know that this is Not a simple process of re-compiling 32-bit software because lots of small fixes are always needed. Usually, after a couple of weeks of porting the Beta version of software is ready for full scale testing.

Once again, it is really strange that EA doesn't want to do create 64-bit version of the application.

Why would they put resources into converting a deprecated and superseded launcher to 64bit?
EA App is already 64bit.