EA Announces Origin for Mac Alpha Testing

MacRumors · Jan 24, 2013, 04:17 PM

Origin, Electronic Art's digital distribution platform, is available for Macs as of today via an open alpha testing period. Origin for Mac was initially announced in August of last year, when EA noted that the Mac version of its upcoming SimCity game was expected to launch alongside the PC version.

SimCity will no longer be released simultaneously on the Mac and the PC, but EA will presumably release the final version of Origin for Mac before the game comes out in March.

Like Steam, EA's Origin allows users to purchase and download games, chat with friends, and continue saved games from any Origin-enabled computer.

According to EA, Origin for Mac will function like the PC version, with cloud storage, auto patching, and a friends list. For the alpha, the Origin Store tab is not active, but EA promises that the launch version will include "a great catalog of EA and partner titles."

EA is offering a free copy of PopCap's popular "Bookworm" game with the Origin alpha download, which is limited to a few thousand customers.

The alpha version of Origin is currently able to be downloaded from the Origin website. To download the software, users will need to have a Mac running OS X 10.6.8 or newer plus an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better.

Article Link: EA Announces Origin for Mac Alpha Testing

dannyp1996 · Jan 24, 2013, 04:28 PM

I know this is a controversial opinion, but steam is far and away a better platform! Just my opinion based on experience.

RoelJuun · Jan 24, 2013, 04:28 PM

Although I dislike the platform and needing another account for game purchases, I like it that more games come to OS X.

komodrone · Jan 24, 2013, 04:30 PM

battlefield 3 for mac, then I'll download.

Icaras · Jan 24, 2013, 04:32 PM

Downloaded.

Wow. Store unavailable, and all my games are Windows only. They give you a free game from Popcap called "BookWorm" for joining the alpha test, but that's it.

Really not much to alpha test...

Magaman · Jan 24, 2013, 04:37 PM

This is a very good sign with the SimCity launch in the near future. Hopefully they can launch day and date for both PC and MAC!

badsandwich · Jan 24, 2013, 04:54 PM

Anyone have a link for the UK version?

dona83 · Jan 24, 2013, 04:56 PM

You can preorder Simcity on macgamestore.com:

http://www.macgamestore.com/product/...mited-Edition/

tevion5 · Jan 24, 2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyp1996

I know this is a controversial opinion, but steam is far and away a better platform! Just my opinion based on experience.

I don't think it's controversial that Steam kicks the crap out of Origin, that's just a fact

Pechente · Jan 24, 2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komodrone

battlefield 3 for mac, then I'll download.

And only a native port, please!

Will probably never happen… :/

Jessica Lares · Jan 24, 2013, 05:03 PM

I am having an issue trying to install it. It needs the helper tool, but it won't install:

Code:

1/24/13 4:59:29.624 PM com.ea.origin.ESHelper[10414]: Starting ES - Looking up Client bundle....
1/24/13 4:59:29.625 PM com.ea.origin.ESHelper[10414]: Unable to locate Origin client bundle...

ikir · Jan 24, 2013, 05:05 PM

I love Mac App Store, I love Steam even if lately lacks specific OSX updates and features.... But Origin is just a Steam clones. It is exactly the same thing, same features and purpose. At least Mac App Store and Steam have different ecosystems, target, features, story. Origin is just EA greedy plan.

zin · Jan 24, 2013, 05:13 PM

Great, one of the most evil corporations around is now expanding to the Mac.

Things just keep getting better.

fdv · Jan 24, 2013, 05:24 PM

"I can't wait for Origin to be released on the Mac!" said no one ever.

star-affinity · Jan 24, 2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pechente

And only a native port, please!

Will probably never happen… :/

Dice had a job advert out looking for a OS X game programmer (must be a quite rare breed) about a year ago, so I wouldn't say never.

adder7712 · Jan 24, 2013, 05:32 PM

Origin sucks.

'nuff said.

rmwebs · Jan 24, 2013, 05:37 PM

Cant really beat Steam. Especially with the cross-platform support and great deals they do.

Content wise it even beats the Mac App Store, which only seems to have a few 'big' names on there. The rest seem to be iOS ports.

Codyak · Jan 24, 2013, 05:37 PM

Need to avoid EA like the plague.

roadbloc · Jan 24, 2013, 05:44 PM

Screw Origin. Useless spyware and nothing but EA's rubbish to buy. Steam is much better.

lilcosco08 · Jan 24, 2013, 06:09 PM

Oh please no

ArtOfWarfare · Jan 24, 2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikir

I love Mac App Store, I love Steam even if lately lacks specific OSX updates and features.... But Origin is just a Steam clones. It is exactly the same thing, same features and purpose. At least Mac App Store and Steam have different ecosystems, target, features, story. Origin is just EA greedy plan.

You say that like it shocks you. In so far as I'm aware, EA stopped doing anything original years (decades?) ago and went full ahead with their make-crap-that-people-relate-to-great-things and make as much money off of them as possible. I never buy anything with the EA logo on it anymore... the last thing I came to possess by them was C&C 3 which was gifted to me, and though I wouldn't tell it to the person who got me it, the game is total crap and a blatant copy of great RTS games from Blizzard.

gotluck · Jan 24, 2013, 06:57 PM

Game made by EA = NOBUY

flindet · Jan 24, 2013, 07:06 PM

Do not want.

MattInOz · Jan 24, 2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dona83

You can preorder Simcity on macgamestore.com:

http://www.macgamestore.com/product/...mited-Edition/

I wonder what this means for Mac Game Store?
Think I'm going to cancel pre-order and wait for this so I can move to Boot camp windows if cider engine is bad.

Cougarcat · Jan 24, 2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattInOz

I wonder what this means for Mac Game Store?
Think I'm going to cancel pre-order and wait for this so I can move to Boot camp windows if cider engine is bad.

They aren't using cider, it's a native port. Hence the delay.

Jan 24, 2013, 04:17 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	EA Announces Origin for Mac Alpha Testing Origin, Electronic Art's digital distribution platform, is available for Macs as of today via an open alpha testing period. Origin for Mac was initially announced in August of last year, when EA noted that the Mac version of its upcoming SimCity game was expected to launch alongside the PC version. SimCity will no longer be released simultaneously on the Mac and the PC, but EA will presumably release the final version of Origin for Mac before the game comes out in March. Like Steam, EA's Origin allows users to purchase and download games, chat with friends, and continue saved games from any Origin-enabled computer. According to EA, Origin for Mac will function like the PC version, with cloud storage, auto patching, and a friends list. For the alpha, the Origin Store tab is not active, but EA promises that the launch version will include "a great catalog of EA and partner titles." EA is offering a free copy of PopCap's popular "Bookworm" game with the Origin alpha download, which is limited to a few thousand customers. The alpha version of Origin is currently able to be downloaded from the Origin website. To download the software, users will need to have a Mac running OS X 10.6.8 or newer plus an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better. Article Link: EA Announces Origin for Mac Alpha Testing
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 04:28 PM	#2
dannyp1996 macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worksop, United Kingdom	I know this is a controversial opinion, but steam is far and away a better platform! Just my opinion based on experience. __________________ 2010 13" MacBook Pro, 256GB Crucial M4, 8GB RAM; Custom Gaming Rig, AMD A8-3870K, AMD HD 6850, 8GB Corsair XMS3, Noctua NH-D14, Corsair 500r; iPad 2 32GB (non 3G), iPhone 5 16GB Black
	9

Jan 24, 2013, 04:32 PM	#5
Icaras macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, United States	Downloaded. Wow. Store unavailable, and all my games are Windows only. They give you a free game from Popcap called "BookWorm" for joining the alpha test, but that's it. Really not much to alpha test... __________________ iMac 27" (Late 2012) iPhone 5 iPad mini Apple TV (3rd Generation) Time Capsule (4th Generation) PC free (since 2008) Game Center: ICARAS
	4

Jan 24, 2013, 04:54 PM	#7
badsandwich macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2009	Anyone have a link for the UK version? __________________ mac-gamer.net
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 05:03 PM	#11
Jessica Lares macrumors 68030 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA	I am having an issue trying to install it. It needs the helper tool, but it won't install: Code: 1/24/13 4:59:29.624 PM com.ea.origin.ESHelper[10414]: Starting ES - Looking up Client bundle.... 1/24/13 4:59:29.625 PM com.ea.origin.ESHelper[10414]: Unable to locate Origin client bundle... __________________  Have You Hugged Your Mac Today? Daily Expressions \| Power Mac G5 \| Late 2011 13" MacBook Pro \| iPod Nano (7G) \| iPod Shuffle (2012) \| iPad Mini
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 04:28 PM	#3
RoelJuun macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Netherlands	Although I dislike the platform and needing another account for game purchases, I like it that more games come to OS X.
	3

Jan 24, 2013, 04:30 PM	#4
komodrone macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2011	battlefield 3 for mac, then I'll download.
	4

Jan 24, 2013, 04:37 PM	#6
Magaman macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2009	This is a very good sign with the SimCity launch in the near future. Hopefully they can launch day and date for both PC and MAC!
	1

Jan 24, 2013, 04:56 PM	#8
dona83 macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Coquitlam, BC	You can preorder Simcity on macgamestore.com: http://www.macgamestore.com/product/...mited-Edition/
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 05:05 PM	#12
ikir macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2007	I love Mac App Store, I love Steam even if lately lacks specific OSX updates and features.... But Origin is just a Steam clones. It is exactly the same thing, same features and purpose. At least Mac App Store and Steam have different ecosystems, target, features, story. Origin is just EA greedy plan. __________________ My homepage html, php, css handwritten, graphics made by me Amiga News.it THE italian Amiga portal
	2

Jan 24, 2013, 05:13 PM	#13
zin macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2010 Location: United Kingdom	Great, one of the most evil corporations around is now expanding to the Mac. Things just keep getting better.
	0

Jan 24, 2013, 05:24 PM	#14
fdv macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2010	"I can't wait for Origin to be released on the Mac!" said no one ever. __________________ 2011 13" MacBook Pro \| iPad 4 \| iPhone 4S \| PC
	8

Jan 24, 2013, 05:32 PM	#16
adder7712 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: In my house in Malaysia	Origin sucks. 'nuff said.
	3

Jan 24, 2013, 05:37 PM	#17
rmwebs macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North London, England	Cant really beat Steam. Especially with the cross-platform support and great deals they do. Content wise it even beats the Mac App Store, which only seems to have a few 'big' names on there. The rest seem to be iOS ports. __________________ Walt Disney World Guide
	2

Jan 24, 2013, 05:37 PM	#18
Codyak macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2012	Need to avoid EA like the plague.
	4

Jan 24, 2013, 05:44 PM	#19
roadbloc macrumors 603 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK	Screw Origin. Useless spyware and nothing but EA's rubbish to buy. Steam is much better. __________________ Roadbloc
	6

Jan 24, 2013, 06:09 PM	#20
lilcosco08 macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dayton	Oh please no __________________ iPhone 4s 16gb- iPad Mini 32gb Steam ID: lilcosco - 3DS FC: 1547-5234-4748
	5

Jan 24, 2013, 06:57 PM	#22
gotluck macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: East Central Florida	Game made by EA = NOBUY __________________ Windows 7 PC & 8740w - iPhone 4 (6.1 Jailbroken - StraightTalk w/ AT&T SIM) - HP Touchpad (CM10 Jelly Bean) - iPod Classic
	5

Jan 24, 2013, 07:06 PM	#23
flindet macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2011	Do not want.
	4

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