GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

EA Wii U games require Origin account for online play

New Electronic Arts policy document reveals players will need Origin account to play EA title's online; "Nintendo Network ID" revealed.

315 Comments

An updated Electronic Arts privacy policy document confirms that Wii U gamers wishing to play EA titles online will need a Origin account to do so.

No Caption Provided

Additionally, by signing up for a Origin account for Wii U, players must agree to allow EA to collect their email address, Mii information, friend list, country, language, and date of birth.

Further, the document spells out "Nintendo Network ID." Nintendo has previously confirmed that Friend Codes from the Wii era would return for the Wii U, but it is not clear if "Nintendo Network ID" is a new name for these.

A Nintendo representative was not immediately available for comment.

Having an EA Origin account to play EA games online is not an exclusive requirement for the Wii U. The same policy is in place for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gamers. In all cases and for all platforms, players will not need to agree to share their credit card number or other personal financial account information.

Launched in June 2011, Origin is a replacement for the EA Store, and it serves as a hub and infrastructure for downloading and playing PC games, as well as ordering boxed products for other platforms. It boasts 12 million users and more than 50 publishing partners.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 315 comments about this story
315 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for blackothh
blackothh

69

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

lol fail

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ermacos
ermacos

77

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I am registered with Origin because EA intergraded all old accounts to origin without asking, but I never ever installed origin on my computer.. if thats an answer to that. I will never do it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for McAndrew_basic
McAndrew_basic

124

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Who still buys EA games on console?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for HyperWarlock
HyperWarlock

3295

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@McAndrew_basic Millions of people all over the world.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ioriaddison
ioriaddison

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@McAndrew_basic Ya. Seldom buy EA games on console.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hurvl
Hurvl

2224

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Hurvl

Origin, it has 12 million users: "Look how many we got to sign up for this DRM software whether they like it or not!" Lol, not like I think that's what the EA executives gleefully tell themselves, but amount of accounts doesn't show how many of them signed up to install Origin, just because a single one of the games they wanted to play required Origin. I don't have Origin and although I would like to play Mass Effect 3 some day, that day is years into the future. I still haven't gotten around to playing games with DLC yet.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Daisy432
Daisy432

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Hurvl You don't have to buy any games from Origin. I already got an Origin account from when I signed up for an EA account for reasons I no longer remember. Maybe it had something to do with Burnout Paradise.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for codeman101360
codeman101360

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Just another reason not to buy EA games (as if people needed one).

Upvote • 
Avatar image for lemonhead_75
lemonhead_75

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By lemonhead_75

It's time for EA to cut their losses and drop this awful system or policies. No matter what they do, Origin is unappealing.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dugular
Dugular

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

To be honest, this has been happening since the PS2 era, just that it was then called an EA account.

The most annoying thing is they're also using this to shout about how popular Origin is, and a viable competitor to Steam. When, no, it isn't, I haven't bought a single thing off Origin, yet own an account purely for Mass Effect 3.

While I'm ranting about Origin, might I add that I saw NFS: The Run for £39.99 on there, yet the same day saw a brand new copy in a local store for £6. Yeah, that kind of stuff will really make me consider purchasing off Origin. Idiots.

Plus, since when can EA charge £39.99 for a PC game? It makes sense for console games because they have to go through Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo. But £39.99 for a PC game, on your OWN distribution platform, WITHOUT any packaging costs?

**** off, EA

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5b25acd1439fc
deactivated-5b25acd1439fc

104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Dugular This is why I buy almost every game only when they are on a discount.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hurvl
Hurvl

2224

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@PeterTechGuy Yep, Goty editions, Steam sales or other kinds of discounts is the best way to get games at a fair price. I've bought too many games from GoG.com because they have weekly discounts, so now I'm gonna play through all of them before getting a new one.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for BludshedX
BludshedX

57

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

There aren't going to be any dirty EA games going into my shiny Wii U.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Trickymaster
Trickymaster

354

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

I wish I could say that I am surprised. Well, no. EA is the worst company ever.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Axe_Armor
Axe_Armor

36

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

My list of reasons not to buy EA games has just finished it's fourth book with this news.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DeadrisingX1
DeadrisingX1

1850

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 138

User Lists: 0

Thank you for inflicting this upon us EA. You never cease to amaze us.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Cowboy-Bebop
Cowboy-Bebop

168

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

People still play EA games? How sad.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Rovelius
Rovelius

3254

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 13

User Lists: 0

Lmfao at people overeacting. EA games always asked for EA accounts, all the way back to PS2 era. Origin on consoles is just another service. It has nothing to do with its PC counterpart.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5b25acd1439fc
deactivated-5b25acd1439fc

104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Rovelius This. I'm surprise people doesn't have EA/Origin account already.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Jinzo_111887
Jinzo_111887

3245

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Jinzo_111887

@MW2ismygame Ever heard of GOG? They are a pretty good digital distribution service, too. Steam offers sales and has lots of stuff, while GOG makes consumers feel like VIPs with DRM's "stand up act" being replace with the "rockin' performance" of bonus content like wallpapers, music, digital manuals, avatars, artwork, etc. If EA offered sales like Steam and used "VIP treatment" instead of using abusive DRM, more people would respect them and Origin.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MW2ismygame
MW2ismygame

2188

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Jinzo_111887 Oh i know that, i just find it funny that EA has such vast amounts of cash, power and need for a DDS that they are one of the worst out there and dont have any inclination to change it. They hopped on the band wagon so late, not to mention missing the wagon all together and breaking both their knee caps on the landing and landing face first in a steaming river of semi liquid s*it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MW2ismygame
MW2ismygame

2188

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By MW2ismygame

You know EA I find it so funny that you try to do a steam like service and dont at least copy any of the good things. Do you want to know why steam has 40+ mill people on it ? little hint, because people came to IT and LIKED it, they did not have it forced down their throats. Thanks for making me inclined to spend even more on a steam sale than your sh***y service. Have a nice day EA.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5b25acd1439fc
deactivated-5b25acd1439fc

104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@MW2ismygame "they did not have it forced down their throats."

You forgot those Steamworks games.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dugular
Dugular

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@PeterTechGuy @MW2ismygame The biggest difference is that the most Steamworks games aren't actually owned by Valve. It was the original developer's decision to make them Steamworks games because of how popular the platform was.Though your argument could have worked if you specifically mentioned Half-Life 2 ;)Which is true anyway, Half-Life 2 forced people on to Steam. Same tactic as Origin.The major difference though, is that Steam was a (kinda) brand new idea that many gamers would never have considered. Plus the service was really good causing gamers to stay and become loyal.Therefore, same tactics for drawing in, completely different tactics once in.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5b25acd1439fc
deactivated-5b25acd1439fc

104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Dugular I wouldn't mind having several platform on my PC. Console gamers have been dealing different platforms and exclusive games since forever. As long as Origin is a decent service, I don't see why people should avoid it like a plague.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dugular
Dugular

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@PeterTechGuy You've got the right frame of mind. You're keeping it open which is always healthy.

My heart and experience though tell me that two years will prove the haters correct and Origin will just be one of those 'side things' of EA that bring in a bit more cash, mainly from those kind of gamers who play games as a side thing, and therefore only know the popular stuff like Call of Duty or FIFA, and therefore have no desire or knowledge of the better stuff from Valve, for example.Origin will never win over the hardcore gamer, even if it becomes a better service.I don't deny that Valve love money, but they love gaming as well. That's their secret. EA just love money. Therefore, Valve will always be more in tune with what the gaming community wants and will be the first to move things the right way. In two years time, Steam itself will be different as it's proving every year.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5b25acd1439fc
deactivated-5b25acd1439fc

104

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Dugular You're right, although Steam used to be worse than Origin. I'd say it's still too early to judge Origin, wait two more years and we'll see.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dugular
Dugular

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@PeterTechGuy @MW2ismygame What is up with Gamespot's reformatting of my replies every time! Tired of seeing lack of spaces everytime I post

Upvote • 
Avatar image for lfebaggins
lfebaggins

519

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

Nothing we can do. They'll keep spending time trying to build mainstream popularity with Origin because Steam was given the same chance. The only difference is, Steam got a whole lot better after its first year. Origin will not, and given EA's history, its doubtful that will change in many years to come.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dugular
Dugular

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@lfebaggins This is true. Both Valve and EA love money and love business. But the difference is that Valve loves gaming as well. EA lacks that.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Frankenstrat247
Frankenstrat247

324

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 18

User Lists: 0

Edited By Frankenstrat247

Nope. Nope nope nope.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for sune_Gem
sune_Gem

12463

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

Edited By sune_Gem

I'm pretty sure Origin has been marked down as a failure. Can't they just cut there losses and concentrate on being a good company instead?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for KeeseKiller7
KeeseKiller7

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

It's like EA doesn't want their games to succeed on the Wii U. An origin account has never been required for their games on other consoles, so there's no reason for it be required on the Wii U. This isn't the first thing they've done to screw over the system. Come on, EA. You could at least try to be fair.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dugular
Dugular

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@KeeseKiller7 Actually, it has for a long time. Just then it was called an EA Account :)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MrMisanthrope
MrMisanthrope

88

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@KeeseKiller7 Not true. Per the article: "Having an EA Origin account to play EA games online is not an exclusive requirement for the Wii U. The same policy is in place for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gamers. In all cases and for all platforms, players will not need to agree to share their credit card number or other personal financial account information."

Personally, I can attest to having to log in via Origins on other platforms for Dead Space 2, Syndicate, and ... something else I'm blanking on at the moment.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ExplicitMike
ExplicitMike

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Is it so wrong to just wanna launch your games and play without any interruptions? Thank you CD Projeckt and GOG for being the only ones to understand.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hvac0120
Hvac0120

2038

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Hvac0120

@ExplicitMike Presumably the Wii U will have a feature (much like Facebook on iOS) that stores the Origin login for future reference so that you don't have to go through a layer of logging in every time you want to play online with a game that uses the service. Making it seamless after the initial setup for the game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ExplicitMike
ExplicitMike

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Hvac0120 I get that but, the service itself is useless to me. If I have a problem EA is terrible at fixing it. It took them 2 months to redeem a 50% off coupon and even then they couldn't do it. Instead they game me 20 bucks. They don't offer competitive prices, They layout is ugly(okay that one is all me) If I have to miss out EA games I will. Sorry developers, but the service is worthless to me. So I don't want their service on a console.

2 • 
Avatar image for Hvac0120
Hvac0120

2038

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I don't mind having to setup an Origin account. Especially since I already have one LOL. But I wouldn't mind even if I didn't.

What I do mind is EA requiring me to allow them access to "Mii information, friend list, and date of birth"

I should have the option to use Origin, but limit it's access. So I can allow it access to the email I use to sign up for Origin, but deny it access to my date of birth.

I understand the reasoning for this, but it's the same reasons I am cautious of allowing apps to connect to Facebook. I don't like it and I don't like the all or nothing approach to my info.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ExplicitMike
ExplicitMike

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

You have got to be kidding me EA. No one likes this service. Stop forcing it on people.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SavageEvil
SavageEvil

719

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This news story should be in Escape from Mount Stupid!! Look at the complainers who really don't have a clue about what they are even complaining about, just mobbing up because others are. This is how people end up getting arrested because they were following the crowd, stop it and think for yourselves. Read the story, it says "EA Origin account will be needed to play games on Nintendo Wii U", now coincidentally PS3 EA games require the same as do 360 games, thing is once you sign in on your console once it will ask you when you use a new game to connect using that very same account. Now ask yourself something, what is the difference on the Wii U? Think about that for a second...no, a few more....yes you got it....in case you didn't...It's nothing, there is no difference. Gamespot, why did you even post this as a story without actually stating that Wii U users just like PS3 and 360 will have to sign in to their Origin accounts to play online with EA games. Look at the freaking stampede you caused by yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for megakick
megakick

1931

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By megakick

@SavageEvil

Wii friend password. Reading this and knowing how well Wii did with online play doesn't help Nintendo. IMO Nintendo should be make online safe ans easy as possible to get online to make up for the Wii and N64

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Axe_Armor
Axe_Armor

36

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Axe_Armor

@megakick @SavageEvil Why do they have to make up for the N64? That console is the bee's knees!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for SavageEvil
SavageEvil

719

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@megakick If you are signing into EA Origin using email and dob details don't you think that Wii Passcodes would be completely irrelevant since those are anonymous? Obviously this is an open online that Publishers set up their own structure, and will probably use the friend codes to directly identify you since being anonymous is completely retarded. Nintendo is leaving it up to the publishers, hence why I now realize why they didn't have voice chat as a main feature. Nintendo is trying to avoid any issues that would put children at risk and leaves it up to parents to ok these accounts, so if crap happens it will fall on those who sign the pact. Well this is because you know American's tend to be sue happy even when they are wrong as hell.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ramb1402
ramb1402

65

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

The last game i bought from EA was ME2; i intend to keep it that way. Funny how EA stands for Electronic Arts but its been a while since i saw any of this "art" on any their games. psst nowadays ir more like Evil Ambitions.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Dugular
Dugular

38

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Dugular

@ramb1402 They're also behind the times on the Electronic bit too.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for codinggenius
CodingGenius

8118

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 60

User Lists: 0

Edited By CodingGenius

Ugh. Just ugh.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for MoreThot
MoreThot

401

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

Edited By MoreThot

hm... i can see into the future.. i predict EA will then boast about how many users they have.

Upvote •