EA Origin’s Legacy Comes to a Close as Platform Faces Imminent Shutdown

Electronic Arts is preparing to sunset its long-running Origin platform, marking the conclusion of a digital distribution service that has been part of PC gaming for over a decade. The gaming giant has confirmed plans to permanently close Origin’s doors, pushing users toward the newer EA App platform.

Origin, which launched in 2011, served as EA’s primary digital distribution hub for PC gaming, hosting numerous exclusive titles including many of the publisher’s flagship releases between 2011 and 2018. The platform’s exclusivity approach began to shift in 2019 when EA released Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order on Steam, signaling a new direction for the company’s digital distribution strategy.

The transition comes with technical implications for some users. While the EA App represents the company’s modern gaming platform, it requires 64-bit system compatibility. This requirement stems from Microsoft‘s decision to phase out support for 32-bit software, necessitating that users upgrade to 64-bit versions of Windows 10 or 11 to maintain access to their gaming library.

For players who have invested in the platform, EA has implemented measures to smooth the transition. Cloud save data will automatically transfer to the EA App when users log in with their existing accounts. However, the company has cautioned that some game modifications may face compatibility issues following the platform switch.

The closure affects a specific segment of the gaming community, particularly those still operating 32-bit systems. While EA has expanded its presence on Steam, offering an alternative platform for many of its titles that will remain accessible on 32-bit systems, some users will need to upgrade their hardware to continue accessing their Origin game library through the EA App.

This shutdown aligns with broader changes at Electronic Arts, as the company has also announced the closure of several game servers in 2025. The affected titles include Madden NFL 21, scheduled for June 30, alongside multiple other games set to go offline on January 29, such as The Simpsons: Tapped Out, Blood and Glory Immortals, and several entries in the Frontline Commando series.