EA announces new Windows app, to replace Origin soon

Popular game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a new Windows app that will soon replace Origin – an exclusive PC launcher debuted in 2011. It was designed to compete with other digital PC storefronts such as Steam. In 2020, Origin announced that their gaming library will be transferable to Steam and allowed the publisher to sell its games on the platform. However, even after the integration, users needed Origin to play the EA titles that they bought on the digital distribution service.
EA says that the app has started to roll out for users. EA claims that this new app is the “fastest and lightest PC client to date”, as per a blog post. The publisher has already rebranded its EA Access and Origin Access services under the EA Play banner.

New EA app for Windows: Availability
EA says that the new app is currently available only for supported Windows PCs. Meanwhile, Mac users have to wait more for this new PC client while Origin will keep on working for them.
New EA app for Windows: Other details
Windows users who already have an Origin account will be automatically invited to transfer their account to the new EA app. It is important to note that existing Origin users will be easily able to transfer their games, cloud/local saves, friend lists and other content onto the new app.
EA claims that the new app has a more user-friendly design and is equipped with features like automatic game downloads and background updates. The new EA app will also allow users to expand their friend lists by connecting their EA account to other platforms such as Steam, Xbox and PlayStation. Users will also have a unique ID for their friends to find them easily.
The app comes a decade after Origin was first launched. The notable mention of the app was in 2020 when EA decided to replace the platform with a new Windows client. EA’s Origin registered a user base of over 50 million and yet the service was criticised for security flaws and spying concerns.