The new EA app replacing Origin is still a launcher you'll only ever use when forced to

rockpapershotgun.com:

Electronic Arts have formally launched their new store client doodad after a long open beta, replacing the much-maligned Origin with something they refer to as "the EA app" (its actual name is only "EA"). They say it's faster and better. I think maybe it is? But it doesn't really matter, as long as it's not a disaster, because it's not like you're using it unless you have to anyway. Just like Origin before it, the new EA app is an inconvenience you must accept to play the EA games which require it, and beyond that it is useless. It does an okay job of that.

"The EA app is our fastest and lightest PC client to date," EA claim. "With the new streamlined design you will easily find the games and content you're looking for and discover your new favorite games. With automatic game downloads and background updates you can ensure that your games are ready to play when you are."

Maybe? I think it feels a bit faster? I'm not sure. I only ever open it when I need to for a game which requires it. I myself switched from Origin to the beta app because it was been needed to play EA games on PC Game Pass. Sure, let's say it doesn't feel strikingly worse, maybe?

In terms of how it looks, your game library is still displayed as rows of big box art cubes, rather than a helpful form like a straight list. My own library still includes the ghostly greyed-out expired Battlefield 2042 Open Beta which I can neither install nor remove from the list (I think Origin had that option?). That feels neither fast nor streamlined but then, what does that matter when I'll only ever launch the app with a specific intent.

You can also now link your friends lists from Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation, but I'm not sure why that's useful in software I will only