The landscape of digital game distribution has seen significant shifts, particularly concerning promotional offers and freebies. For U.S. consumers interested in maximizing value without financial commitment, understanding the history and current status of these programs is essential. Based on the provided documentation, the specific "On The House" program associated with the Origin platform has undergone a definitive transformation. This article details the timeline of these offers, the specific duration of past giveaways, and the current alternatives available to consumers seeking complimentary access to software.
The "On The House" Program Timeline and Duration
The "On The House" initiative was a promotional program run by Electronic Arts (EA) on the Origin platform. According to the documentation, this program officially began in the spring of 2014 with the giveaway of Dead Space. Over the subsequent four years, the program distributed a variety of titles, including Mass Effect 2, Theme Hospital, Peggle, Plants vs. Zombies, and Dragon Age: Origins. It also provided downloadable content (DLC) for titles such as Battlefield 4 and Battlefield Hardline.
A critical aspect of this program regarding duration was the ownership model. Once a user claimed a game during its promotional window, the documentation confirms that the title remained in the user's library indefinitely. An EA spokesperson stated, "This change won’t affect any games you downloaded from the service prior to that date—those are yours to keep forever." However, the availability of these specific offers was not permanent. The program was officially retired, with the last known giveaway occurring in April (specifically Peggle), after which the program lay dormant before being formally discontinued.
Current Status of Origin Freebies
As of the documentation provided, the "On The House" program has ceased entirely. The link previously used to access the free games page now redirects to a sales page for EA’s subscription service, Origin Access. EA has confirmed that there will be no further free game downloads through the previous method. Instead, the company has shifted its focus to "demos and betas" and a subscription-based model.
While direct ownership of free titles is no longer available via the "On The House" method, Origin Access offers a "Basic" tier that includes a collection of games known as "The Vault." This service is distinct from the previous program in that access is contingent upon maintaining an active subscription. If a user cancels their membership, they lose the ability to play the games associated with the subscription, unlike the permanent ownership provided by the retired "On The House" program.
Free Trials and Temporary Access
For consumers looking for no-cost access to software, the documentation highlights a specific free trial offer for Origin Access Basic. In late October (specifically October 25 through October 31, 2018, according to the text), EA offered a 7-day free trial of the Basic tier. This trial provided users with:
- Access to "The Vault," a collection of dozens of titles.
- "Play First Trials" for upcoming games, allowing up to 10 hours of gameplay prior to release (e.g., FIFA 19, Madden NFL 19).
- A 10% discount on purchases made on Origin.
The documentation notes that this trial was available for a limited time and was restricted to one per EA account. After the 7-day period, the account would automatically be billed for the standard monthly or annual membership fee unless canceled during the trial period.
Eligibility and Redemption Rules
The eligibility rules for the Origin Access Basic trial were straightforward. The offer was available to PC users who had not previously utilized a trial for the service. The documentation specifies that the trial began immediately upon sign-up during the promotional window (October 25–31, 2018).
Regarding the specific games available in "The Vault" during this trial period, the documentation lists a comprehensive catalog. This list includes titles such as Dead Space, Mass Effect, Dragon Age: Origins, Plants vs. Zombies, Need for Speed, and Titanfall. The availability of these titles within the Vault is tied to the active subscription period.
Conclusion
The era of receiving permanent, free game ownership via the "On The House" program on Origin has concluded. The program, which ran from 2014 to 2018, allowed users to claim titles permanently. The current approach for accessing a library of games at no initial cost is through the Origin Access Basic 7-day free trial. This trial offers temporary access to "The Vault" and early game trials, transitioning to a paid subscription model if not canceled. Consumers seeking free software should view these offers as time-limited trials rather than permanent giveaways.