Newell: Origin "does some things well"

Gabe Newell, taking a potshot at a rival? Never. No, really, never.

The Valve boss has talked to PC Gamer (via CVG) about his experiences with Origin, telling the mag that while there are "some things" the EA service does right, there are others it could it improve upon.

"I think it does some things well. I think there are still some areas where, as a customer, I'd like to see it improve. It's not that different from any other system like this. There are positive things and negative things," said Newell.

In terms of Steam's future, the company boss was mum.

"I and everyone at Valve know that you're only as successful as what you've done lately," he added. "So the idea that Steam is somehow the answer to digital distribution ignores the fact that every two or three years, something is going to change dramatically."

EA has seen its games removed from Steam because of "a whole complicated set of issues," according to past comments from Newell, but has said it's still reconcilable, with the publisher putting them and their DLC on Origin instead.

Origin has had 4 million client installs as of earlier this month.