Re: On the house is gone

@ForestWolf01@2712200316

Origin On the House was retired and games will no longer be offered through the program.

This change won’t affect any games you downloaded from the service prior to that date - those are yours to keep forever.

Hi Barry, 

Yes, I know it was retired because I read the other threads stating as much. What I asked is if anyone knows WHY it was retired? Do you happen to know? If so, sharing the answer would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

It looks like even the demos are now locked behind the 4.99 a month nonsense now. It might be time to move on as EA has gone full anti-customer, not that they haven't been anti-customer for some years now, but having to pay to play demos now.... ☹️

@EA_BarryWill I still be able to get the FIFA 19 Demo? from what I understand there should be a tab in the game for the Demo, but I don't see it in FIFA 18, it's because I own the game? if that so, how I get the 19 Demo? where the tab is?

EA has not gone against its  customers. Free games were a way to attract gamers to  the Origin service

The reason for stopping the service is it just is not cost effective to continue free games.

EA is a business and businesses need to make money to continue to make great products and provide quality service.

If you did get free games from Origin, you can keep and play them, however you will not be getting any new free games

Like any other terms of service, it can be discontinued at any time with or with reason or notice.

You are free to choose to "move on",  but if the reason is no free games, where will you go for free games? Curious.

In comparison to the other platforms

Steam allows some free to play games. I do not know if you can play them offline, I don't play on steam.

PSN will not allow you to play PS Plus Free games unless you maintain an active subscription. 

XBOX will not allow play for free online without gold, even itf the game is free like world of tanks.

Just because On the House is gone doesn't mean that EA will not continue to give away free stuff. I am sure it will still happen. I have seen DLCs be given away without being a part of the On The House. I expect to see some Battlefield freebies go out to correspond with the release of Battlefield 5.

"EA has not gone against its customers."

okay, I suspect this is how it's going to work here. I'm going to leave a few links such this one  this one and this one then you are going to tell me that at least one of them isn't relevant or whatever. Then it's probably going to devolve into a long flame war and nothing constructive will come of it. 

"Free games were a way to attract gamers to the Origin service"

No one was arguing otherwise that I've seen. 

"The reason for stopping the service is it just is not cost effective to continue free games."

Is that an official reason stated by EA? If so, I'd like to see the Press Release. 

"EA is a business and businesses need to make money to continue to make great products and provide quality service."

Again, I haven't seen anyone argue that EA isn't a business. As for great products, that's debatable. This comes to mind. It's just one of many examples though. 

"If you did get free games from Origin, you can keep and play them, however you will not be getting any new free games"

How thoughtful of you to repeat the same info as every other thread about the on the house retirement has. 

"Like any other terms of service, it can be discontinued at any time with or with reason or notice."

Except that most companies care enough about their current and possibly future customers to give a warning. But this is EA we are discussing. 

"You are free to choose to "move on", but if the reason is no free games, where will you go for free games? Curious."

If the loss of the on the house program was the only reason to 'move on', then that says that person would never have paid for something anyway. I've given EA a few hundred USD for games. My comment was in reference not only to the 'On the House' retirement, but also the DRM among other things that goes with some games. Again, C&C4 comes to mind along with the last Sim City and a few others. 

"In comparison to the other platforms"

This thread isn't about other services nor their pros and *. It's kind of weak to attempt to change the subject when the subject is Origin, EA, their history, and one of their programs. On top of that, no one has asked what other services you have and have not tried. Let's try to stay on topic, please. 

@mathematics654

If you are signed in to Origin, you should be able to see the Try it First button for FIFA 18. There is currently no FIFA 19 trial.

nothing constructive will come of it. 

Agreed

As for great products, that's debatable. This comes to mind. It's just one of many examples though.

Keyword Debatable

Except that most companies care enough about their current and possibly future customers to give a warning. But this is EA we are discussing. 

Keyword most

This thread isn't about other services nor their pros and *. It's kind of weak to attempt to change the subject when the subject is Origin, EA, their history, and one of their programs. On top of that, no one has asked what other services you have and have not tried. Let's try to stay on topic, please. 

No attempt was made to change or redirect the topic.

Here's the full info we've available:

As of July 24, 2018, the “Free Games” navigation option has been removed from Origin.com. All available trials, betas and demos will now be found on game pages via the “Try It First” button.

Additionally, Origin On the House has been retired and games will no longer be offered through the program. This change won’t affect any games you downloaded from the service prior to that date—those are yours to keep forever.

Even though this chapter of On the House has come to an end, we’re happy that we got to introduce so many great games to our awesome players. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve our service and give our users an even better experience, and we thank you for being part of our community.

Note: please stay on-topic or we will have to close this thread.

Re: "but if the reason is no free games, where will you go for free games?"

Nice one.

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@BillyBrown214 wrote:

Re: "but if the reason is no free games, where will you go for free games?"

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Wherever you go for free games, DON'T go to warez sites! For one thing, doing so is ILLEGAL! For another thing, this runs you the risk of having your computer infected by viruses, trojans, and other malware.

EA, count your lucky stars that I have never been one of your shareholders! This is because if I were an EA shareholder, and I saw that EA got rid of Origin's "On the House" program, then I would have SOLD OFF EVERY SHARE OF EA STOCK that I owned... due to the anticipation of a huge dip in the value of EA stock! Of course, when a shareholder sells off a significant number of shares in a given company's stock, then that has a depressing effect on that company's stock value.

@Charla1969

On the house program was cancelled because of the Premier Access, I think.

Now it's history. 😢 ☹️

We still do giveaways every now and then. They just aren't called On The House anymore.

For example, right now we're giving away the Battlefield 1 & Battlefield 4 Premium Pass and all Expansions. Hurry up if you want to grab them! The offer ends today.

Please re-add it :'(

yeah they are a business, but anyone who is anyone, has already bought peggle and played it to death.

Mhmm