Electronic Arts has just launched its new video game platform for PC, the EA app. It replaces Origin and allows you to buy and download games, with a free account or with a monthly subscription.
It’s almost the end of Origin, publisher Electronic Arts’ digital video game distribution platform. It must be said that it has never been the most popular game launcher, especially for its lack of fluidity in navigation and its recurring bugs. Gamers prefer Steam or GOG Galaxy. Not to mention that the connection between the publisher and the platform isn’t necessarily obvious! That’s why in 2020 EA started developing the EA App, a new Windows application – Mac should be coming soon – to wipe the slate clean and (re)conquer the gamer community. The principle is exactly the same: by creating an account for free, allow you to buy and download games from the publisher grouped together in a library, but also to chat with your friends and share videos of your games. The EA app basically uses the same interface as Origin, but with a new color palette – in tones of black and purple – and more ergonomic rendering for a “faster, more reliable, and simplified gaming experience”. And, of course, EA Play, the publisher’s paid subscription, gets much better integration. This Friday, October 7th, the software finally leaves its beta version and arrives in version 1.0. Don’t panic for Origin users, the identifiers are the same, and the toy library, friends list, and local and cloud backups carry over just fine. Note that it is also possible to connect your EA Account to other services such as PlayStation, Xbox and Steam.
Classic features and a paid subscription
The EA app offers a catalog that includes major licenses – Battlefield, FIFA, Titanfall, Dead Space or The Sims and its infinite expansions – but also more confidential licenses – like Unravel or Alice: Return to Madness. All purchased games are gathered in one library – here called collection – and you only need to download them to play them with one click. Of course, the software offers the possibility to save your progress in the cloud and access it from any computer connected to the internet. Like any good self-respecting video game distribution service, the EA App has community features. The player can send messages or talk to their friends via private messages and join them in their game. A feature also provides the ability to overlay the software interface during gameplay – the overlay – and access tools such as broadcasting live games via the Twitch platform.
Of course, the player can buy games from the store via the browse tab – but mostly you have to pay the full price. Electronic Arts integrates its EA Play and EA Play Pro subscriptions much better into the platform. The first formula, EA Play, offers access to demos and certain games 10 hours before their official release. Subscribers benefit from 10% on their purchase, but above all from a catalog – the Play List – with a range of games – also from third-party publishers – unlimited. All for EUR 3.99 per month or EUR 29.99 per year. EA Play Pro offers the same benefits but with an even larger catalog. Players also get bonuses for big hits – “Pro-level rewards and content” in-game – and have access to Season Passes and premium content – gear, mounts, characters… Subscription costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 euros per month year.
