EA Origin goes digital-only on April 4 following lack of physical sales


EA has announced that its Origin game store will only offer digital download titles, following a lack of demand for physical copies.


From April 4, you’ll no longer be able to purchase physical products from the Origin store because EA has realised gamers are increasingly going digital.


“Starting April 4 Origin will be going all digital. This means the entire Origin game store will be entirely digital downloads for PC and Mac”, said EA in a statement.


However, the game publisher recognised that there is still a small percentage of its user base that prefer doing it old school.


“What does this mean for you? If you’re among 99 per cent of our users, absolutely nothing. Your shopping experience hasn’t changed one single bit,” explained EA’s Craig Harris. “But if you’re that 1 per cent who still desire a physical collection, we want to let you know that Origin won’t be able to fulfil that need beginning April 4.”


EA pretty much told its users that it’s time to move with the times and going digital is the best way to get your games.


“We’ll still be here when you transition your gaming habits to the wonders of digital downloads. Digital is fast and convenient. Origin’s focus is to give gamers the best experience, and going all-digital will make that possible.”


Despite Origin’s move, most console gamers at least find digital games costing a lot more than their physical counterparts.


Just looking at the Xbox Games Store and the PlayStation Network for the next-gen Xbox One and PS4 respectively, you can pick up physical copies of games for a lot less than they are within the digital marketplace.


For example, the digital version of cross-platform title Call of Duty: Ghosts is £54.99 for Xbox One and PS4, but you can pick up the physical copy for around £22 now from online retailers.



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