Electronic Arts bringing Origin to Mac, Android and Smart TVs – Video Games Update
Electronic Arts (EA) has announced at Gamescom that it will be bringing its digital distribution client, Origin, to platforms other than Windows PC.
Currently Origin is the second most popular digital distribution service on PC with over 9.3 million users so far. However it still lagging way behind Steam which is at the top of the list with an install base of over 40 million users.
EA seems to be taking the digital distribution market pretty seriously and after the news by Valve that Steam will be expanding to include Linux support and might also start hosting applications other than games, Electronic Arts might also be heading in
a similar direction with Origin.
It was rumoured that EA was trying to make a deal with Nintendo to have Origin as the main online Multi-player component in Wii-U but was shunned by Nintendo who decided to develop their own Nintendo network for the upcoming console.
The rumours state that because of that decision, EA is shunning Nintendo by developing poor ports for the platform. The Wii-U version of Madden 13 is a perfect example of a shoddy port on superior hardware. The rumour also states that EA is not planning
to support the Wii-U and will only release ports for the hardware.
Since EA did not have the same luck like Valve had with Sony as they managed to bring Steam to the PlayStation 3, it seems that EA has decided to jump the gun and target all the other potential platforms before Steam has a chance to establish a firm foothold
in that area.
Potentially the most important market right now is for Android devices. Indie developers are thriving with hits after hits on the android OS which is now available on almost any type of mobile devices. Establishing a strong user base on the growing platform
might be really advantageous for EA in the long run.
Origin will also be following in the footsteps of Steam as EA launches the client for Mac computers. EA has stated that SimCity will be the launch title for Origin on Mac and will be released in February next year. It remains to be seen if EA can capture
more of the market share in the growing digital distribution market.
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