Steam-bought EA games auto-added to Origin

It has emerged that EA’s PC download service Origin is auto-adding EA titles to gamer’s user lists that were purchased from a rival network.

Specifically, Steam.

Joystiq reports that users have noticed that games such as Dead Space 2 and Mass Effect 2 are automatically appearing on their Origin accounts even though they were purchased on Steam.

The likely cause is Origin scanning a user’s PC for files related to EA titles in the Steam folder.

But before privacy campaigners begin loading their AK 47s in preparation for war, remember that this service is of benefit to consumers, effectively giving them an alternative source from which to acquire past purchases.

And from EA’s perspective it ensures that gamers’ Origin lists are as heavily populated – and therefore more useful – as they can be.