Origin auto-adds EA games purchased on Steam

EA games purchased through other channels will be automatically added to your Origin accounts for free, users have discovered.

Day One Patch users noticed games like Dead Space 2, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and The Sims mysteriously turning up in their Origin catalogues - even when purchased through Steam or as physical releases prior to Origin's launch.

Theories as to how Origin achieves this vary. Origin is known to check users local files without sending personal data back to EA, but in addition, the old EA account system has been transitioned into Origin, meaning any games registered before the service's launch have been carried over.

Adding the games to Origin means users can access them wherever they have the client installed, and grants access to Origins suite of tools and social features. No reports of non-EA games turning up on Origin have surfaced yet, although the service does offer third-party games.

Thanks, Joystiq.