EA: Origin needs two years to reach potential

Electronic Arts COO Peter Moore believes that the scepticism surrounding the company's Origin digital distribution platform has now subsided.

Speaking with Kotaku, Moore stated that the negative voices have "quieted down," and that the Origin would need another two years to fulfill its potential.

"I don't think you see the initial level of vitriol," he said. "And I've been in gaming long enough [that I know that] if you try to add something that's different, and particularly if you add the layer that it's EA and everything that goes with it."

"It's one of those things where I would ask give us 18 months to two years. And if we sit here two years from now, start looking at it then. I think the ability to have your own direct platform with the consumer is going to be very important in the digital world going forward."

Moore cited Valve's now ubiquitous Steam - Origin's major rival - which was widely criticised when it first launched in late 2003. The objections from consumers were much the same; that, to access games they wanted to play, it was necessary to sign-up for the service.

"If you go back and dust off the transcripts of when Steam first came out, it had the same reaction. People didn't like it. You were obligated."

"[Valve] provided, over the years - to Gabe and the team's credit - value to the gamer. Those first 12 months were very rocky."

"We need to continue to add social layers so there is value to the consumer," Moore continued, "so it doesn't feel like, in their words, 'something that is mandatory that I don't want.'"

As of last week, Origin had 9.5 million registered users, and had generated $100 million in sales. EA also revealed that 4 out of every 10 The Old Republic players were using the service.