EA Origin: Is It Really That Bad?
EA's Origin: A Contentious Launch and Gamer Reaction
The release of EA’s Origin platform has been met with considerable criticism, complaints, and overall dissatisfaction from many gamers.
EA, a publisher that doesn't consistently enjoy a positive reputation, has seen its image potentially further impacted by the initial rollout of Origin.
Origin's Purpose and Origins
Origin was conceived as a direct challenge to Valve’s dominant Steam platform.
It debuted in June as a significantly updated version of the EA Download Manager, which was previously utilized for distributing digital game purchases from EA’s online storefront.
Widespread Negative Feedback
From the moment of its unveiling, the software has been subject to negative coverage.
Much of this criticism has originated from unhappy players expressing their concerns on online forums, message boards, and various social media channels.
The central question now becomes: should users accept the platform as it is, or continue to voice their disapproval?
Note: For those seeking details on EA’s subscription offering, a comprehensive overview of the Origin Access membership plan is available.
Electronic Arts' Perspective
Forbes magazine reports that Valve provides a 70% gross margin – representing revenue prior to additional expenses – to third-party publishers utilizing Steam for product sales. This indicates Valve retains 30% for its services. Establishing and maintaining a robust content delivery system is a complex undertaking, and Steam has been under development since 2002.
In contrast, traditional retail games typically yield a 30% gross margin, with numerous parties seeking a portion of the revenue, from distributors to retailers. Steam effectively inverts this model, making a 30% commission appear quite justifiable – a rate consistent with Apple’s 30% charge on app and in-app purchases.
EA's Position in the Market
Electronic Arts (EA) is a substantial company consistently releasing major titles. They boast prominent franchises such as FIFA, The Sims, Need for Speed, and Battlefield. This year’s key release is Battlefield 3, which has generated considerable discussion within the PC gaming community.
Battlefield 3 is anticipated to be a significant achievement in game development and a substantial revenue source for EA. Despite the previous installment, Bad Company 2, being available on Steam, Battlefield 3 will not be featured on the platform.
The game is listed on alternative, smaller platforms like Direct2Drive. However, Origin will serve as the primary distribution channel. This means EA is positioned to receive 100% of the revenue from its own platform. Is this a reasonable approach?
While seemingly fair, this decision has sparked discontent among gamers. What are the underlying reasons for this dissatisfaction?
- The exclusive distribution through Origin limits consumer choice.
- Gamers may prefer the features and convenience of Steam.
- Concerns exist regarding Origin’s functionality and user experience.
Origin represents EA’s attempt to control the entire distribution process, maximizing profits. However, this strategy risks alienating a significant portion of the PC gaming audience who have grown accustomed to Steam’s established ecosystem.
A Gamer's Perspective
For dedicated PC gamers, Steam is almost certainly a core component of their experience. This is due to the platform’s consistent stream of new game launches each week, its incredibly extensive library encompassing both major retail titles and independent creations, and the attractive discounts offered on a weekly basis.
While it underwent a period of development, Steam has evolved into a robust platform for connecting with friends, discovering new gaming communities, and, inevitably, experiencing defeat in online matches. Previously, Steam was often criticized, but it has matured into a reliable service, and many users have amassed substantial game libraries over the past nine years.
The Drawbacks of Additional Platforms
However, gamers are now frequently required to install another digital distribution platform. This necessitates the process of re-establishing connections with existing friends – those regularly engaged with on Steam.
The primary source of frustration for many is the added inconvenience associated with platforms like Origin. It represents another application to manage, another account to create, and another service demanding personal details – all without replicating the comprehensive catalog, large user base, or refined system that Valve has established.
This added complexity is often presented as a trade-off for a relatively small percentage discount.
Evaluating the Origin Platform
Currently, Origin remains in its beta phase, making a definitive assessment premature. While some refinements are undoubtedly still needed, the platform has been publicly available since June and has already surpassed 4 million downloads.
Understandably, the game library is limited at this initial stage. Beyond a demonstration version of The Sims 3 and its Pets expansion, readily available free downloads are scarce. Even EA’s own free-to-play games bypass Origin, launching instead within a separate browser window.
A Comparison to Steam
This contrasts sharply with Steam, which boasts a wealth of free downloadable content, such as Team Fortress 2. Steam actively provides a platform for these types of offerings.
Valve is well-known for its support of third-party modifications, actively encouraging and hosting them on Steam. Many of these mods are now functional even without requiring Half-Life 2, accessible through a Team Fortress 2 download.
However, EA’s past actions suggest a less favorable approach to the modding community. The company previously deemed the Frostbite 2 engine “too complex” for modders, indicating a limited expectation for mod support on Origin.
Future Prospects
EA intends to attract third-party publishers to the Origin platform, but the extent to which they will succeed remains uncertain.
The platform's ability to draw in external developers will be crucial for its long-term viability and success in the competitive digital distribution landscape.
Final Assessment of Origin
While Origin isn't inherently flawed, it doesn't present gamers with genuinely novel experiences. From a user's perspective, it functions primarily as an intermediary platform, positioned between online transactions and game access.
However, the strategic rationale behind this move is clearer for Electronic Arts, and the automatic installation of Origin with all new retail PC games will inevitably expand its user base.
Nevertheless, cultivating a community with even a fraction of the dynamism seen with Valve’s platform will necessitate both inventive functionalities and attractively priced offers.
The principle of competition benefiting both businesses and consumers holds true here – what are your thoughts on Origin?
Engage in the Discussion
Have you already installed Origin on your system? Are you planning to purchase Battlefield 3 for PC? Share your opinions, whether you're dissatisfied, indifferent, or otherwise, in the comments section below.
We encourage you to voice your experiences and perspectives regarding this digital distribution platform.
