EA Origin has been updated to version 9.0, which adds some new features for streamlining the experience, improving the UI and adding some fixes.
1) Updated the look and feel of the My Games tab.
2) Updated game tiles with high resolution box art.
3) Added a slider allowing users to resize game tiles.
4) Moved the Download, Install, and Play buttons into game-specific mouseover windows.
5) Changed the Mark as Favorite button to a star icon.
6) Added new sorting options to the My Games tab.
7) Added a refresh button to the My Games tab.
8) Moved the Friends List into a standalone window.
9) Added the ability to hide the Friends List.
10) Added a button to the navigation bar that shows the Friends List if it’s hidden.
11) Added new navigation options to the Origin system tray menu.
12) Configured the Order History page to display both web and client purchases.
13) Added new title bars to a number of windows.
14) Improved overall performance of the Origin client.
15) Fixed an issue that was keeping some users from being able to patch properly.
16) Fixed an issue that was blocking FIFA 12 invites from being sent for some users.
17) Additional miscellaneous bug fixes.
What is Origin?
Origin is a game client, rather like the Steam client for Valve supported games.
You download the application, make an account, and this then becomes your home for EA games (and other registered partners), and offers some key enhancements that you wouldn’t usually get with standalone installers for games generally.
For example, if you are visiting a friend, and you feel the need to play one of your games, but don’t have access to the installer; not a problem for Origin, as it is the installer for all your content.
You simply download the client, log in, and you can download the game directly from EA servers, making the experience pretty fluid. The only thing then limiting you is the speed of the connection you are trying to download from.
With internet speeds ramping up year on year, and with the release of 4G internet, downloading even many gigabytes of data is usually not a problem for most households in a well-connected area.
Social aspects of gaming is another thing that is improved with having a client like Origin. If you want to play online with a friend/friends, or simply talk to them whilst playing, the client streamlines the whole entire process for you.
It shares some experiences with the On Live platform too in the way Origin now delivers demo content.
On Live offers high quality games to mobiles and even low power computers via streaming video. Instead of utilising a complicated GPU core to render the game locally, their servers do all the work. All you need is a way to control the game, and a device capable of fast internet streaming using Wifi/4G, etc.
This means that you don’t have to physically download the entire demo. The demo will stream as you play, allowing you to quickly get into a game to see what it is like.
Another pretty new feature, which is at the moment in the BETA phase (broad testing) is a cloud storage for saved games.
Previously, you would have a game installed on your own PC, with saves also stored locally on your machine.
This is no longer a problem.
Just as you can now download your games from any machine, you can also access the saved games too, if you wish to continue where you left off.
So lets conclude:
1) No more discs, as you download the games directly from EA. This means no more scratches damaging discs beyond repair, no need to go to the shops to buy a game you want, and no expensive delivery costs.
2) Your games can be downloaded anywhere with the Origin software installed, so your library in essence travels with you.
3) Game saves can be saved in the cloud, so instant access to carry on from where you left off.
4) The ability to pre-load new games that are releasing, so they are ready to play when they officially launch. No more waiting in long queues in the cold and dark for an AAA title at midnight.
You simply wait in comfort in your own home for the countdown, and play.
5) Auto patching. This means you no longer have to worry if you are running the latest version of a game. The client will automatically update it.
EA Origin is very popular, and is getting ever more popular, with 21 million registered users using the service now.
57 developers have now partnered with the service, meaning more games accessible to people with Origin installed.
If you didn’t know what Origin was, you certainly do now (I hope).
I believe this form of downloading and accessing games is probably the future, though I would like to see services like On Live a more prominent and faster service.
Even though I do prefer to have physical forms of games/software on a disc somewhere, this is a lot simpler, and frees up a lot of issues currently with games/software in general. You don’t have to physically have the disc to play so you can play anywhere, and I think that is a major advantage.
Still, I can’t help but feel saddened that physical media may be on the downfall. A download never (for me at least) harbours the same emotional attachment.
I also think that downloadable games on these services will have to become a lot cheaper to ever surpass physical media sales. I would much rather for example pay for a physical disc, costing £30 than I would a download costing the same.
Services like Steam however do offer sales and the like that offer good deals on games, with amazing promotions at times, and I think that this is something very important in a client like this.
What do you think?
Sound off below.
