Here are some questions people may have regarding Origin and The Sims 4. I will provide answers to these questions.
What is Origin?
Origin is a game download client similar to Steam. It is owned and operated by EA.
Is Origin required for The Sims 4?
Yes, Origin is required for those who purchase the retail or digital copies of The Sims 4.
Do I have to log into Origin to play The Sims 4?
Yes. Origin replaces The Sims 3 launcher and to access your library of games, you would have to log in.
Do I have to be online to play The Sims 4?
No, you don't have to be online to play the game. You would need to go into offline mode in Origin to stay offline. When you want to download patches for the game, updates to the gallery, or update Origin, you will need to be online.
Can more than one person play the game at once?
Yes, more than one person can play the game at once but only one computer can be in online mode at a time.
How many computers can I install the game on?
As many as you want but only one computer can be in online mode at a time.
What is the difference between online and offline mode?
Online mode means you are connected to the Origin servers and you can access Origin services. Offline mode means you are not.
Can I link the game to more than one Origin account?
No. If you want the game on another Origin account, you would need to buy a separate game.
If I get the game early will I be able to play it before everyone else?
Origin will allow you to download the game early but you will have to wait on the servers to go online before you can play. If you get the retail copy early you can install but you will still have to wait on the servers to authenticate your game before you can play it.
What is Origin In Game?
Origin In Game is a menu that lets you access Origin services while you play your game. You access the menu by pressing shift+F1 on your keyboard. You need to be connected to the Origin server to access Origin In Game. Origin In Game allows you to change your Origin settings, view your friend's list and chat with friends, view profiles, shop in the Origin store, stream your gameplay on Twitch, and browse the web.
Can I download and install Origin before I buy The Sims 4?
Yes, you can. You can download Origin now at https://www.origin.com/en-us/download.
Is Origin available for Mac?
Yes, Origin is available for Mac but not for Linux. The Sims 4 is for PC only and in order to install The Sims 4 on a Mac you will need to use a program like bootcamp.
How much does Origin cost?
Origin is free.
Do I need to register my game before I can post on the official Sims 4 forums?
No, you just need to have an Origin account. With an Origin account you can post on any of EA's forums.
Will I need to register my game?
No, the game will automatically register on Origin when it installs.
Is Origin considered DRM?
Yes, Origin is a form of DRM.
What is Origin's great game guarantee?
You may return EA full game digital downloads (PC/Mac) purchased on Origin for a full refund within 24 hours after you first launch the game, within seven days from your date of purchase or within seven days from the game's release date if you pre-ordered, whichever comes first. This is in addition to your standard return or refund rights. You will receive your refund within 10 days of your request.
Where do I go if I need Origin technical support?
Please visit https://help.ea.com/en/origin/origin/.
How do I change my Origin account information?
Here are the steps for updating some of your account information on EA.com:
- Head to https://www.origin.com/us/login
- Login with your Origin (EA) Account e-mail and password.
- If you are already logged in, you will be able skip this step.
- Logging in will bring you to the "About Me" page. On this page, you can change the following by clicking the corresponding "Edit" option:
- Your Origin ID
- Your First and Last Name
- Your Password and Security Question and Answer (SQA)
- Your Country of Residence and Language
- You can also select the "Privacy" tab to change the following security options on your account:
- Who can see your profile
- If your real name is displayed on your profile
- How other players can search for you (email, gamertag, PSN ID, Facebook)
- Under the "Contact Preferences" tab, players can either opt-in or -out of the following:
- Whether EA can contact your regarding products, news, events, and promotions, as well as which products your favor
- If your information can be shared with select partners
To make changes to any other aspect of your account, including removing or changing your payment information, you can do so by simply contacting a Game Advisor.
Is my Origin profile the same as The Sims 3 My Page?
No, your Origin profile is a general profile you will use for all Origin games you own. The My Page has been been replaced with a Gallery profile each player receives.
Do I need a credit card to shop at the Origin store?
No, you can purchase EA cash cards from select retailers.
I created more than one Origin account by accident but I only need one for The Sims 4. What do I do?
- Start out by listing and labeling your email addresses.
- Identify which address you want to keep at the end (for example “EA1”), your other original address that you don’t want to keep (“EA2”), and a third email address that you’ll use as a temporary holding area (“EA3”).
- Login to your Origin Account that uses EA1--your "extra," or empty account using the email address you'd like to keep--using either the Origin client or the Origin Store.
- Change your email address on this account to EA3, your throwaway email address.
- You can change your email address in the Origin client by selecting Origin in the top menu-bar, accessing Account and Privacy, and editing your Basic Information.
- You'll be sent an email to verify this change. Wait a quick second for it to show up and click the link verifying that you're indeed changing your email address.
Now that your preferred email address, EA1, is no longer tied up by your extra Origin Account, you can jump onto your original, in-use Origin Account and change your email address from EA2, your older email address you'd like to get rid of, to EA1, the email address you'd like to keep.
Once again, you'll have to wait a moment for your verification email, but once you've verified you should be good to go--just remember to login with your new account details the next time you jump onto Origin!
Can I have more than one copy of The Sims 4 on an Origin account?
No, you will need to have a separate Origin account for each copy of The Sims 4.
If I have a physical copy of the game will I also get a digital copy of the game?
Yes.
Can I resell physical copies of The Sims 4 after I have installed the game?
No, it is against the EULA. Also, the person you sell the game to would not be able to play because the games are linked to the Origin account.
All of the questions and answers can be found at http://answers.ea.com/ with a little searching around. I compiled the questions and answers here and related them to The Sims 4. If you have more questions post them below but please read the entire post first.
*Bonus Questions*
Can I add my Sims 2 & 3 games to my Origin account?
Yes, your Sims 3 games, once registered should transfer to your Origin account. If they don't, contact customer Service.
If you want to add your Sims 2 games to your Origin account, you will need to contact customer service and tell them you wish to add your Sims 2 games to your Origin account on or after July 22nd. They will ask for your serial codes and you may need to send them a copy. They will add The Sims 2 Ultimate edition to your account which contains all EPs and SPs. If you bought the games used, you may not be able to register them on Origin.
How do I update my games on Origin?
You would right click on the game's box art and then select "Check for Update".
Last edited: Jul 23, 2014
-
Informative x 1
