EA’s Origin platform to sell games from Capcom, THQ and WBIE
Steam may finally be seeing some competition with EA’s rebranded Origin service confirmed to soon be selling titles from three major games producers, Capcom, THQ and WBIE.
EA recently relaunched its digital download service under the name of Origin, and introduced the world to it in a big way by integrating it with their new FPS Battlefield 3. That move sparked more than a little controversy, and among the questions was a simple one, “How can EA possibly hope to compete with Steam?”
It’s a valid point considering how many developers are included in the Steam service, while the only one to use Origin was EA itself. That is now set to change with EA announcing over the weekend that they’re bringing three new developers to the Origin stable, Capcom, THQ and Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment. The first titles to be included are Batman: Arkham City and Saints Row: The Third, with more promised to come.
“We are very pleased to partner with EA and have Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s key PC titles available on Origin,” said Greg Ballard, senior vice president, Digital Games, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “In growing our digital offerings for consumers we want to give fans increased access to critically acclaimed titles such as Batman: Arkham City.”
“THQ is excited to work with Origin and to offer players another new, innovative way to experience the over-the-top fun of Saints Row: The Third,” said Terri Schiek, senior vice president of publishing, Americas at THQ. “We look forward to building our relationship with the Origin team, and to continue to deliver great content for the platform.”
“When we met with the EA team and discussed their long-term vision for Origin, we were excited to lend our weight to their efforts,” said Christian Svensson, senior vice president at Capcom Entertainment. “We hope to expand our PC fanbase for our legendary brands on Origin.”
This is a strong move by EA in their attempt to try and claw out some of Steam’s current market share in the digital download market. With no other comparable service existing that can currently come close to providing competition to Steam, it will be nice to see a new possible alternative in the marketplace.