SWTOR An Exclusive Download for EA's New "Origin"
EA has re-branded its online store as "Origin" and plans to host the digital version of Star Wars: The Old Republic exclusively later this year.
Friday Electronic Arts said that the digital downloads of BioWare's upcoming MMOG Star Wars: The Old Republic will be available later this year exclusively on the publisher's new digital distribution platform Origin, also launched on Friday. EA also said that gamers will eventually be able to purchase and download exclusive limited edition copies of highly-anticipated EA games like Battlefield 3 and FIFA 12.
"Origin is a game service with two fundamental features," said David DeMartini, senior vice president of Global Online at EA. "It's a download service for the very best content from EA and its partners. It also offers a social function which, over time, will connect a player's profile with friends lists and a cross-platform feed that shows what your friends are playing and where."
Essentially EA has re-branded its EA Store as Origin. The EA Download Manager desktop client is also still available, but has now been revamped and renamed Origin. The software basically allows consumers to purchase EA titles "any time and any place you want." Those who already established an EA account prior to the name change can still use the same credentials for Origin.
But what Origin isn't is a Steam killer, and there's currently no indication that EA plans to pull its products out of other digital distribution platforms like Steam or Direct2Drive. But the new client offers an interesting social feature integration which connects Origin to Facebook, Xbox Live and (soon) the PlayStation Network.
"Through the Origin beta application, users will be able to find and connect with friends, see what they are playing, and digitally download and play PC games straight from EA," the company added.
Consumers looking to purchase games straight from EA outside the PC realm – including the Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS – can head here to the re-branded store. Unfortunately, what's missing from both the website and desktop client is the ability to download and install demos – a means to try some of EA's 150+ library of games before making the financial plunge. That could change over time however.
"We're committed to offering consumers direct access to great content and community in a way they have never experienced before," said EA CEO John Riccitiello. "Today we're launching Origin.com and the Origin beta application. Over time, Origin will grow with new functionality and unique new content that consumers can't get anywhere else."
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During EA's press conference next week at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, exclusive content for EA titles will be made available on the Origin.com website. EA's E3 press conference is scheduled for 12:30PM PST on June 6, 2011, and a live webcast is available at www.ea.com/e3/press.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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clonazepam SWTOR is a cross-platform MMO right? I'm thinking if a person like myself who'd be looking for a traditional mmo style, might think it sucks? I still play kotor 1 and 2... but idk... i definitely wont be an early adopter.Reply
Origin, i guess its good that its just one more option for the consumer. -
muffins Reply9292466 said:SWTOR is a cross-platform MMO right? I'm thinking if a person like myself who'd be looking for a traditional mmo style, might think it sucks? I still play kotor 1 and 2... but idk... i definitely wont be an early adopter.
Origin, i guess its good that its just one more option for the consumer.
PC/Windows only
and it is a traditional MMORPG
If WOW and Mass Effect had a love child it would be SWTOR -
pangedit This game's size would probably reach around 20gb or something :/ Good luck with that.Reply
For MMOs its best to get the box. Itll save you more time and spare you from the hassle. -
Why should I care about this?Reply
Sounds like just another direct2drive digital download store.
As for SW:TOR, I find it Highly unlikely that, at launch, Origin will be the only place you will be able buy it digitally. It makes no sense.
You make a game as big (and expensive) as SW:TOR, you want it to be available everywhere. Not just one digital retailer (who is not even one of the top digital retailers).
Here is my prediction: at Launch TOR will be available from at least 3 digital retailers (including directly from the TOR site) and each retailer (physical and digital) will offer different Pre-order/CE swag items. -
djscoggins Until EA stops having a 1 year download window on their digital games(2 years for a fee i think) I wont buy shit from them. Steam FTW.Reply -
ikefu I'm very un-excited about origin. One of the big things I was looking forward to about SWTOR over WoW is that I thought it would be on Steam where I can talk to my friends who are playing other games and keep track of them.Reply
If I wasn't so wary of EA's money grubbing trends I would be more ok with trying it out. EA has had a tendency lately to try to bleed cash out of its customers by messing with the line that defines what should be DLC and what should be part of the original game purchase.
Message to EA, if you want me to use Origin over Steam and give you the extra revenue then you need to start showing me you can be responsible and not make so many blatant attempts to take DLC to extremes. DLC is not a bad thing, selling me half a game at $60 and then making me pay that again for DLC that should have come with the game is. DLC should always be value added not required to enjoy the game.