Origin on iOS mirrors Xbox Live feature set

Publisher EA has for the first time detailed exactly how its freshly launched content portal Origin will work on iOS.

The system bears more than a passing resemblance to Microsoft’s Xbox Live. And it won’t support Apple’s Game Centre wither, with EA clearly hoping to forge its own network of users.

Friends lists will show users both on iOS and also on PC. Launching games directly from the app will be possible. Other things like leader boards and friend-to-friend messaging are also included.

In all Origin on iOS seems very much to be squaring up to the likes of not only Game Centre but also OpenFeint and all the other games-network alternatives.

But how will EA get people interested when they already have an established presence on rival networks? Simple – by offering in-game freebies to those who use it.