The Lifespan Of Eas Origin Free Game Offers From Permanent Freebies To Limited Trials

EA's Origin platform has evolved its approach to free game offerings over the years, transitioning from a program that provided permanently free games to a subscription-based model with limited-time trials. Understanding how long these freebies last requires examining the history of Origin's promotional strategies and the current trial options available to consumers.

The Origin "On The House" Program

EA's "On The House" program represented one of the most generous free game offerings in digital distribution history. Launched in spring 2014 with the giveaway of sci-fi horror game Dead Space, the program continued for approximately four years before being officially retired. During this period, EA periodically made specific titles available for permanent download at no cost, with users able to keep these games indefinitely once obtained.

The program operated on a limited-time availability model for each individual game. When a particular title was offered through "On The House," consumers had a window of opportunity to claim it, after which the offer would expire and the game would no longer be available for free through this channel. For instance, the survival horror game Dead Space was one of the first free offerings, while puzzle game Peggle became the final free game distributed through the program in April before its retirement.

Notable games distributed through the "On The House" program included: - Dead Space and its sequels - Peggle - Plants vs. Zombies - Dragon Age: Origins - Theme Hospital - Mass Effect 2 - Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault (which was given away multiple times)

The program also occasionally distributed downloadable content (DLC) for games like Battlefield 4 and Battlefield Hardline, expanding beyond full game titles to include additional content for existing games.

EA officially retired the "On The House" program, confirming that games would no longer be offered through this service. The retirement coincided with EA's rebranding of Origin as a streaming service with a two-tier subscription model. However, the retirement did not affect games that had already been downloaded through the program—those remained permanently accessible to users who had claimed them during their respective availability windows.

Origin Software Trials

Beyond game-specific promotions, Origin offers trial versions of its platform itself. According to Origin's documentation, users can install a trial version of either the standard Origin client or the more feature-rich OriginPro. These trials operate on a fixed 21-day duration from the time the license is successfully updated and activated.

The 21-day trial period provides users with full access to either version of the software during the evaluation period. Once the trial expires, users must purchase a license to continue using the software. This trial model follows a common software evaluation approach where the entire product is available for a limited time before requiring purchase.

Origin Access Free Trials

As part of its shift toward a subscription-based model, EA introduced Origin Access, which has evolved to include different tiers of service. The platform has periodically offered limited-time free trials of Origin Access Basic, typically lasting seven days. These trials have been promoted as opportunities for consumers to "get a taste of the good life" without any obligation.

One documented free trial ran for a specific week between October 25-31, 2018, allowing new subscribers to access all benefits of Origin Access Basic for seven days at no charge. During such trials, users could: - Access The Vault, EA's growing collection of available titles - Play up to 10 hours of gameplay with Play First Trials for new releases - Receive a 10% discount on purchases made through Origin

The terms of these trials typically specify that one free trial is permitted per EA account and that users can cancel during the trial period without incurring any charges. After the trial concludes, the standard monthly or annual membership fee would apply if users wished to continue their subscription.

Current Free Game Options Through Origin Access

While the permanent "On The House" program has ended, Origin Access continues to provide avenues for accessing games without full purchase through its subscription model. The service maintains a collection of games known as The Vault, which users can access as long as they maintain an active subscription.

The Vault includes a substantial and growing library of titles, with games being added "over time" according to EA. As of the available documentation, The Vault contained numerous popular titles across various genres, including:

• Battlefield series (3, 4, Hardline)
• Mass Effect series
• Dragon Age series
• Dead Space series
• Plants vs. Zombies series
• Mirror's Edge
• Crysis series
• Need for Speed series
• The Sims 3
• And many others

Unlike the permanent nature of "On The House" games, access to The Vault titles remains contingent on maintaining an active subscription. If a user cancels their Origin Access membership, they lose access to these games, though any progress or save data typically remains intact if they later repurchase the games.

Additionally, Origin Access offers Play First Trials, which allow subscribers to play upcoming EA games up to five days before their official release. These trials are typically limited to 10 hours of gameplay and do not require full purchase during that time. If users decide to purchase the game after trying it, they can often continue their progress from the trial version.

Evolution of Free Game Models on Origin

The evolution of Origin's free game offerings reflects broader trends in digital distribution and consumer expectations. The "On The House" program represented a traditional free sample approach, where specific titles were made available permanently to build goodwill and attract new users to the platform. This model allowed consumers to truly own the games they obtained through these promotions.

In contrast, the current Origin Access model operates more like a rental or subscription service. While it provides greater value through ongoing access to a library of titles and early play opportunities, it ties access to an active subscription. This shift from permanent free games to time-limited access represents a common strategy in the digital entertainment industry, prioritizing recurring revenue over one-time free acquisitions.

The timing of the "On The House" program's retirement aligns with EA's repositioning of Origin as a streaming service with a two-tier system. The new structure includes both a Basic tier (more affordable) and a Premier tier (higher-priced with additional benefits), with both replacing the previous free game giveaway model.

Conclusion

EA's Origin platform has transitioned from offering permanently free games through its "On The House" program to providing time-limited access through subscription trials. The "On The House" games, once claimed, remained with users indefinitely, representing a traditional free sample approach with permanent ownership. In contrast, current free options through Origin Access operate on a subscription model where access is tied to active membership rather than permanent acquisition.

The 21-day software trials and 7-day Origin Access trials represent the current limited-time free offerings, each with specific terms and conditions. While the era of permanent free game downloads on Origin has concluded, the platform continues to provide avenues for accessing games without full purchase, albeit through models that prioritize ongoing engagement over one-time acquisitions.

Sources

1. Rock Paper Shotgun - Origin Stops Giving Away Games on the House
2. Garden & Gun - Oral History Free Bird
3. OriginLab - Demo-Expired
4. EA - Enjoy Origin Access Basic 7 Days for Free
5. PC Gamer - EA's Origin Access Subscription Service Is Running a Limited Time Free Trial