Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Electronic Arts hints at possible return to Steam, 8 years after Origin launch

By

What appears to be an innocent tweet from Electronic Arts may be hinting that the publisher’s PC games will soon return to Steam, eight years after the launch of its own Origin platform.

The tweet in question features a mug with an Electronic Arts logo, with no caption to explain its purpose.

Recommended Videos

… pic.twitter.com/bHZy7mEWFW

— Electronic Arts (@EA) October 25, 2019

Related

With steam coming out from the top of the mug, it may be a stretch to think that this tweet alone means that Electronic Arts will make such a major move on how it distributes its PC games. However, it is supported by recent discoveries made by Redditors, including the first look of the new Steam library user interface that featured Mirror’s Edge Catalyst; someone playing The Saboteur, which is not on sale on Steam; and a new package for Dragon Age II.

Perhaps the most important indicator of Electronic Arts’ pending return to Steam is a test application that will allow players to buy games on Steam, but run them through the Origins launcher.

looks like EA are indeed getting ready to come back to steam

:) pic.twitter.com/p5KVTlu40c

— lashman (@RobotBrush) October 22, 2019

Electronic Arts caused controversy when it launched Origin in 2011, as it pulled Crysis 2 from Steam and decided against releasing Battlefield 3 on Valve’s PC games distribution platform. Ever since then, all of the games that Electronic Arts published for the PC were exclusive to Origin.

Electronic Arts’ specific plans remain unclear if it is indeed planning to bring its games back to Steam. Some older games such as the aforementioned Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, The Saboteur, and Dragon Age II may soon be added to Valve’s platform, in addition to current hits such as the free-to-play battle royale shooter Apex Legends.

There is also the possibility that the upcoming Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order may also launch on Steam to widen the game’s distribution, though it remains to be seen if Electronic Arts is willing to hand over 30% of sales of a brand new game to Valve.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, shows potential with its flashy combat, challenging traversal, and rewarding exploration. The game is set to launch on November 15 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Aaron Mamiit
Aaron Mamiit
Contributor
Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…
How to revive dead companions in Baldur’s Gate 3
Withers offering services to the player in Baldur's Gate 3.

You're given a good bit of leeway during battles in Baldur's Gate 3 before you or a companion actually bites the dust for good. While in battle, if a teammate does take enough damage to drop, they aren't dead then and there. Instead, they will be downed with a chance to roll every turn to get back up. If they roll successfully three times, the battle ends, or you use another character to pick them up, they're good. If they fail that roll three times, however, they will be completely dead. That can be harsh when you've become attached to certain characters and want to further their stories, so you'll be looking for any way you can to bring them back. Thankfully you do have a few options for reviving companions in Baldur's Gate 3, but just like respeccing, they aren't so obvious.
Pay Withers to bring them back

Withers is a friendly undead you can find in a secret room in the Dank Crypt found inside the Overgrown Ruins. After finding and speaking to him in his sarcophagus, he will offer you various services, one of which is bringing back any dead companions. He won't do this out of the kindness of his heart (probably because it isn't beating) and will charge you a heavy fine of 200 gold to do so. Still, that's a small price to pay to bring back a beloved character. Once paid, that character will appear in your camp where they would normally be, so there's no need to go back to their corpse and find them.
Use a scroll of Revivfy or learn it

Read more
Every video game delay that has happened in 2023 so far
The player skates toward the moon in Skate Story.

Few things feel as inevitable in the video game industry as delays. Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, game delays have only become more and more common as developers find previously set timelines unrealistic and adjust their release plans accordingly. More than halfway through 2023, we've already seen some notable AAA games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Skull & Bones, and Pragmata delayed pretty heavily. Because video game release date delays are so common, it can be tough to keep track of every game that has had its launch date shifted in some way.
That's why, just as we did in 2021 and 2022, Digital Trends is rounding up every game delay that's announced throughout 2023. Here are the high-profile ones that have happened so far, listed chronologically by their new intended release dates.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR (March 16)

As Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is one of the best games for PlayStation VR, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, Supermassive Games' PlayStation VR2 successor, is a highly anticipated launch title for the upcoming VR headset. Unfortunately, it will no longer make PlayStation VR2's February 22 launch and will instead be released on March 16. On Twitter, a message from Supermassive Games says this delay will ensure that players "receive the most polished, terrifying experience possible" at release. The game was released on that date to mixed reviews.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (March 24)

Read more
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?
Three characters shoot at a boss in Remnant 2.

Aside from the focus on firearms and integrating some randomly generated environments, the Remnant series sets itself apart from other souls-like games mainly with its focus on co-op. Both titles encourage you to team up with two friends to fight your way through the mutated monsters that await. After so many years of progress in terms of multiplatform games incorporating full cross-platform support, you might assume Remnant 2 will follow suit and let you make a group with anyone regardless of what platform they're on. However, the truth may be a bit more disappointing. Before you make plans with your squad, here's what you need to know about Remnant 2's cross-platform support.
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Unfortunately, Remnant 2 does not have cross-platform play between PS5, Xbox Series X or PC -- and there's no word about it being added in the future.

Read more