SEGA joins Origin
Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:45 AM
PC gamers using the download-and-play Origin software from EA will soon be able to get instant access to SEGA titles, it was announced today.
Origin, which has over 11 million users, allows gamers to download software from the internet and save their game play to the cloud, providing instant access anywhere in the world.
In addition to SEGA, EA said that several other publishers are also joining the service including Team 17, Rebellion and Kalypso Media Digital, bringing the number of game publishers and developers on Origin to 35.
Titles from these partners will be available for download within the coming months.
Craig Rechenmacher, vice president of business development and marketing for Origin at EA, said: "By partnering with publishers like SEGA, we're able to bring even more of the industry's best games to players on Origin."
John Clark, UK managing director and PC digital distribution director at SEGA, was equally enthusiastic.
"We're delighted to be partnering with Origin," he said.
"The PC Market is continuing to grow and the prospect of offering the Total War franchise and the SEGA range of PC titles to the Origin audience is very exciting."
From today, 'Total War Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai' is available for pre-order to PC gamers on Origin, joining other popular titles including 'Mass Effect 3', 'Battlefield 3' and 'FIFA 12'.
Pressure from internet sales is largely to blame for the near-collapse of high street retailer Game, which EA and other publishers have stopped supplying with new titles like ME3.
However, the struggling chain has been given renewed hope after private investment firm OpCapita offered to provide the group with much needed funds.
A statement from Game said: "The board confirms that a third party has shown interest in providing additional funding for the company."
This news caused a sharp rise in Game's shares, up 80p to £2.90.