EA's Origin app, launched in 2011 as a rival to Steam, is finally being replaced by the EA app. This transition, however, comes with significant drawbacks. The clunky user experience and frustrating logins that plagued Origin haven't been resolved. Worse, users risk losing access to their purchased games if they fail to migrate their accounts from Origin to the new EA app. This is particularly concerning for those who own titles like Titanfall.

Adding insult to injury, the EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems. While Steam also dropped 32-bit support earlier in 2024, this move leaves a small number of users with older systems in the lurch. Though unlikely to affect most modern PC users, those still running 32-bit versions of Windows (like some older Windows 10 installations) will need to completely reinstall their operating system to access their EA games. A simple RAM check can help determine if your system is 32-bit (maximum 4GB RAM).

This situation highlights the precarious nature of digital game ownership. Losing access to a purchased library due to hardware or software changes is a frustrating reality for gamers on both Steam and EA platforms. The increasing use of invasive DRM solutions, such as Denuvo, further complicates matters, often imposing arbitrary restrictions despite legitimate purchases.

A compelling alternative is GOG, which offers a DRM-free library. Games purchased from GOG can be played on any compatible hardware, ensuring long-term access to your digital collection. While this approach opens the door to piracy, it hasn't prevented the platform from attracting new releases, including the upcoming Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The choice, therefore, lies between the convenience of established platforms and the enduring ownership offered by DRM-free alternatives.