There is a workaround to use Origin without being forced to migrate to the EA app. Follow the steps here. Though, I am not sure if this will fix the crashes in the game itself.
Unfortunatelly I can't circumvent EA App. Navigating to - in my case - C:\Program Files\Origin\Mass Effect\Binaries and selecting MassEffect.exe via Steam or just double clicking still opens EA App. Maybe because it was bought from Origin.
If you have more info/suggestions on circumventing EA App can you please share?
Tried launching completly offline (unplug Internet) - no luck, launching EA App in Windows Vista compatibility mode - same as always, tryed limiting number of cores ME1 rubs on (via Task Manager) - still freezing.
One thing I noticed - when I launched via Origin ME1 window had legacy frame, launched via EA App has Windows 10 frame.
If I manage to solve this problem I will share solution here.
Sorry for the late reply Holger1405. I've managed to find this and similar posts on my own, but wanted a more permanent solution and I believe I found one.
I needed to turn back on the in-game overlay (top left tree bars menu > settings > app > Game overlay).
ME1 should check cloud saves (for me this can take up to five min, usually less than a min), ask for admin privileges and launch.
The EA App seems to be a bit moody, so if EA App disappears andd ME1 splash screen doesn't come up wait a bit, open task manager find masseffect.exe if uses like 0% of CPU kill it, then kill activation UI (32-bit) this should bring back EA App to screen and let you try launching ME1 once more (you may be prompted wit some “couldn't sync cloud data”). - I don't know why this happens. Mostly once right after launching EA App, even if I wait for couple of minutes.
If anyone have additional questions please ask.
