More than 150 games are currently available on Origin, and in the months ahead, Origin will be the place to purchase and download exclusive limited edition copies of highly-anticipated EA games, including Battlefield 3 and FIFA 12, as well as content from EA Partners including Alice: Madness Returns and 38 Studios’ Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.  Later this year, digital downloads of Star Wars : The Old Republic will be available exclusively on Origin.

Also launching today is the Origin beta application. Available for download, the Origin beta is a desktop application that will be users’ direct connection to the best content from EA and offer the ability to create and manage a personal community of gamers.  Through the Origin beta application, users will be able to find and connect with friends, see what they are playing, and digitally download and play PC games straight from EA.

By visiting Origin.com today, users can set up an Origin profile, download the Origin beta application, and begin browsing titles available now or pre-order upcoming games.  In addition, exclusive game content and trailers for upcoming EA titles will also be available on Origin, including Mass Effect 3, FIFA 12, SSX, Madden NFL 12, Need for Speed The Run, Star Wars: The Old Republic , The Sims 3 and Battlefield 3. 

“Origin is a game service with two fundamental features,” said David DeMartini, senior vice president of Global Online at EA. “It’s a download service for the very best content from EA and its partners. It also offers a social function which, over time, will connect a player’s profile with friends lists and a cross-platform feed that shows what your friends are playing and where.”

“We’re committed to offering consumers direct access to great content and community in a way they have never experienced before,” said EA CEO John Riccitiello.  “Today we’re launching Origin.com and the Origin beta application.  Over time, Origin will grow with new functionality and unique new content that consumers can’t get anywhere else.”

Origin will also be available to gamers on the go, with the service on mobile devices giving gamers access to an Origin mobile profile where they can connect and play with friends in EA’s leading smartphone titles, including SCRABBLE and the upcoming mobile version of Battlefield 3.  In the future, mobile gamers will also be able to see what games their friends are playing, as well as compare high scores and share what’s fun. 

Features

• Digital Exclusives: The Origin beta application will deliver full digital downloads for new PC games including Battlefield 3 and Need For Speed The Run.  Future additions will include access to the latest online betas as well as demos and try before you buy opportunities.  
• Connect, Share and Play: through the Origin beta application, build friend lists, import contacts from Facebook and chat about your game experiences in the Origin community. Connect with friends, see who is online and what games they are playing.  An in-game overlay integrates social and web-browsing features directly into gameplay, with future capabilities to include in-game downloadable content purchases. 
• Persistent Profiles – Anytime, Anywhere: create an Origin profile to manage your favorite games and friend lists that are accessible from any PC. 
• Fast and Easy Purchasing: central location for downloadable content for EA’s latest PC titles, with a streamlined purchasing and download process for games and pre-orders. The Origin.com store is also just one click away from a tab in the Origin beta application.

“This is our first step in the evolution of Origin, and in the weeks and months ahead we will look to enhance the features and services as well as an expanded range of content,” said DeMartini.  “From exclusive demos to full-game downloads, Origin is the place consumers will go for the best game experiences.”