A multitude of timeless EA games, celebrated for their enduring appeal, have made a comeback to the PC gaming scene, now available for purchase on the popular Steam platform.
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UKRAINE - 2021/04/23: In this photo illustration, Electronic Arts (EA) logo of a US video game company is seen on a smartphone and a pc screen.
Expanding Offerings on Steam
A diverse array of beloved Electronic Arts (EA) games, renowned for their enduring popularity and cherished by gamers for generations, have made a triumphant return to the realm of PC gaming.
These iconic titles, celebrated for their timeless appeal and lasting influence on the gaming landscape, are now accessible for purchase on the widely favored Steam platform.
The recently added lineup on Steam includes a variety of beloved classics such as Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection, SimCity 3000 Unlimited, Populous, Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods, Populous: The Beginning, Dungeon Keeper Gold, Dungeon Keeper 2, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Planetary Pack, and The Saboteur.
While some of these titles, like Wing Commander, Ultima, and Theme Park, are already accessible through the classic game service GOG, The Verge reported that their availability on Steam provides players with additional options.
This expansion is significant as it contributes to the broader trend of making older games more accessible on modern platforms, a development that is increasingly uncommon for all but the most prominent titles.
Enhancing Gaming Experience
This move coincides perfectly with the arrival of the Steam Deck, enhancing the gaming experience for enthusiasts. While EA hasn't seen much positive news in recent times, this announcement brings a ray of hope to fans, with a total of nine classic games now available on Steam.
These titles, which were absent from digital stores for some time, include beloved strategy classics, popular city-building simulations, and an open-world adventure game that hasn't been accessible on modern consoles.
For many gamers, Steam reigns supreme as the go-to destination for PC gaming. However, over the years, various competitors have emerged, each vying to carve out their share of the lucrative PC gaming market.
In 2011, EA entered the fray with its digital distribution platform called EA Origin. This platform offered exclusive access to EA-published and developed titles such as Mass Effect Andromeda and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
However, Origin faced criticism from players who favored alternatives like Steam or other launchers. In response, EA rebranded Origin as the EA App in 2022, aiming to address player concerns and improve the user experience.
It's a positive development to witness EA deviate from its previous strategy of exclusively offering its titles on the divisive Origin/EA App platform.
Although the publisher has the prerogative to withhold titles to incentivize the use of its services, this approach hasn't resonated well with the gaming community.
Additionally, it may have deterred some steadfast PC users from accessing acclaimed genre classics that they would have otherwise been interested in, had they been accessible on their preferred platform.
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