Back in 2011, EA launched the Origin app, aiming to provide a digital storefront for their PC games, distinct from the dominant Steam platform. A key moment was the 2012 release of Mass Effect 3, which was exclusively available on Origin. However, Origin struggled to gain traction due to its cumbersome user experience and frustrating login procedures, leading many PC gamers to steer clear of it. Despite these challenges, EA continued to support Origin, but has now decided to replace it with the EA app, which has faced similar criticism for its clunky interface.

This transition comes with significant caveats. For instance, if you own games like Titanfall on Origin but can’t access your account, you risk losing access to your purchased games unless you formally switch your account from Origin to the EA app. Additionally, the new EA app only supports 64-bit operating systems, leaving behind users on 32-bit systems. While this move aligns with industry trends—Steam also dropped 32-bit support in early 2024—it’s worth noting that Microsoft sold 32-bit versions of Windows 10 until 2020. If you're on Windows 11, you're safe, as 64-bit support has been standard since Windows Vista nearly two decades ago.

To check if your system is 32-bit, you can look at your RAM usage. A 32-bit OS can only use up to 4GB of RAM, so if your system has more, you're likely running a 64-bit OS. If you've mistakenly installed a 32-bit version of Windows, you'll need to wipe your system and reinstall a 64-bit version to access the EA app.

While dropping support for 32-bit systems might not be surprising in 2024, it raises questions about digital ownership. Losing access to a game library due to hardware changes is frustrating, and it's not just EA; Valve’s Steam has also dropped 32-bit support, impacting players who can't upgrade their systems.

The rise of invasive digital DRM solutions like Denuvo adds another layer of complexity. These solutions often require deep access to your PC and may impose arbitrary installation limits, despite your purchase. One way to preserve a legitimately purchased digital library is by supporting GOG, operated by CD Projekt. GOG offers DRM-free games, ensuring that once you download a title, you can run it on any supported hardware indefinitely.

However, this approach opens up the possibility of software piracy, though it hasn't deterred developers from releasing new titles on GOG, such as the upcoming RPG "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2," which is set to launch soon on the platform.