The Freedom to Game: Can I Close Origin While Playing?

Are you an avid gamer who’s constantly wondering if you can close Origin while playing your favorite EA games? Well, you’re not alone. Many players have asked this question, and we’re here to provide the answers. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Origin, explore its features, and discuss what happens when you close it while gaming.

What is Origin?

Before we dive into the main topic, let’s take a brief look at what Origin is and its purpose. Origin is a digital distribution platform developed by Electronic Arts (EA) that allows users to purchase, download, and play a wide range of EA games. It’s similar to other platforms like Steam, Uplay, and Battle.net.

Origin is more than just a storefront; it’s a hub that provides various features to enhance your gaming experience. These features include:

  • Cloud saves: Access your game saves from any device with an internet connection.
  • Social aspects: Connect with friends, join groups, and share tips and strategies.
  • Game updates: Receive automatic updates for your games, ensuring you have the latest content.
  • Exclusive deals: Enjoy discounts, promotions, and limited-time offers on EA games.

The debate: Can I close Origin while playing?

Now, let’s get to the main question: Can you close Origin while playing your favorite EA games? The short answer is yes, you can, but with some caveats.

In most cases, you can close Origin while playing. The platform is designed to allow you to play games without the need to keep the client running in the background. However, there are some scenarios where closing Origin might not be possible or may lead to issues.

Scenarios where closing Origin might not be possible

There are a few situations where you might not be able to close Origin while playing:

  • Online multiplayer games: If you’re playing online multiplayer games like FIFA, Madden NFL, or Battlefield, you’ll need to keep Origin running in the background. This is because online multiplayer requires a constant connection to EA’s servers, which is facilitated by the Origin client.
  • Cloud-based games: Some EA games, like The Sims 4, use cloud-based features that require an active Origin connection. Closing Origin might disrupt your gaming experience or even cause the game to freeze or crash.

Scenarios where closing Origin might lead to issues

In some cases, closing Origin while playing might lead to issues, such as:

  • Game saves: If you close Origin while playing, you might not be able to access your cloud saves. This could result in lost progress or the need to restart your game from a previous save point.
  • Game updates: If an update is available for your game, closing Origin might prevent the update from downloading and installing. This could leave you with outdated game content or missing features.

What happens when you close Origin while playing?

So, what exactly happens when you close Origin while playing an EA game? Let’s break it down:

  • Game continues to run: In most cases, the game will continue to run without interruptions, allowing you to play without any issues.
  • Origin client closes: The Origin client will close, and you won’t be able to access its features or receive notifications.
  • Cloud saves paused: Cloud saves will be paused, and you won’t be able to access them until you relaunch Origin.
  • Game updates paused: If an update is available, it will be paused, and you won’t be able to download or install it until you relaunch Origin.

Relaunching Origin

If you close Origin while playing and want to relaunch it, you can simply:

  • Click on the Origin icon on your desktop or taskbar.
  • Restart the Origin client from your system’s start menu.
  • Log back in to your EA account to access your games and features.

Best practices for playing EA games with Origin

To ensure a seamless gaming experience with Origin, follow these best practices:

  • Keep your Origin client up to date: Make sure you’re running the latest version of Origin to avoid any issues or bugs.
  • Use cloud saves: Enable cloud saves to ensure your game progress is safe and accessible from any device.
  • Check for game updates: Regularly check for game updates to ensure you have the latest content and features.
  • Close unnecessary programs: Close any unnecessary programs or background applications to optimize your system’s resources for gaming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can close Origin while playing EA games in most cases, but it’s essential to be aware of the potential consequences. By understanding what happens when you close Origin and following best practices, you can enjoy a seamless gaming experience with minimal interruptions.

Remember, Origin is designed to enhance your gaming experience, so take advantage of its features and keep it up to date to get the most out of your EA games. Happy gaming!

Can I Close Origin While Playing Games?

Yes, you can close Origin while playing games. Origin is a digital distribution platform that allows you to purchase, download, and play games. Once you’ve launched a game through Origin, you don’t need to keep the client open to continue playing. You can close Origin and the game will continue to run in the background.

However, keep in mind that some games may require Origin to be running in the background to function properly. This is usually the case with games that require online connectivity or authentication through Origin. If you’re unsure whether a particular game requires Origin to be running, you can try closing it and see if the game continues to work as expected.

Will Closing Origin Affect My Game Progress?

No, closing Origin will not affect your game progress. Your game progress is saved locally on your computer or through the game’s online servers, so closing Origin will not erase or affect your progress in any way. You can close Origin and come back to the game later, and your progress will be intact.

It’s worth noting that some games may have cloud saving capabilities, which means that your progress is saved online. In these cases, you’ll need to make sure you have a stable internet connection to ensure that your progress is synced properly. However, closing Origin will not affect your cloud-saved progress.

Do I Need to Keep Origin Running for Multiplayer Games?

Yes, you’ll need to keep Origin running for multiplayer games that require online connectivity through the platform. Origin acts as a gateway for online multiplayer, and closing it will disconnect you from the game’s servers. This means that you won’t be able to play multiplayer modes or access online features if Origin is closed.

However, some games may have alternative launchers or clients that manage online multiplayer functionality. In these cases, you may not need to keep Origin running, but you’ll need to ensure that the alternative launcher or client is running instead.

Can I Play Games Offline with Origin Closed?

Yes, you can play games offline with Origin closed, as long as the game doesn’t require online connectivity or authentication. Some games have offline modes that allow you to play without an internet connection, and closing Origin won’t affect your ability to play these modes.

However, if the game requires online activation or periodic online checks, you may need to keep Origin running to play the game. In these cases, closing Origin may prevent you from playing the game altogether.

Will Closing Origin Stop Updates and Patches?

No, closing Origin won’t stop updates and patches from being installed. Origin is designed to run in the background and can continue to download and install updates even when it’s not the active window. This means that you can close Origin and let it continue to update your games in the background.

However, if you’re playing a game and an update is available, you may need to restart the game or Origin to apply the update. In some cases, the update may require a restart of your computer, but this is usually indicated by a notification from Origin.

Can I Close Origin During a Download?

It’s not recommended to close Origin during a download, as this can cause the download to fail or become corrupted. Origin manages downloads in the background, and closing it can interrupt the download process.

If you need to close Origin during a download, make sure to pause the download first. This will ensure that the download is resumed from where it left off when you restart Origin. Alternatively, you can let the download complete before closing Origin.

Will I Be Signed Out of My Origin Account if I Close Origin?

No, closing Origin won’t sign you out of your Origin account. Your account information is stored locally on your computer, and closing Origin won’t affect your login status. When you reopen Origin, you’ll still be signed in to your account, and you can continue to access your games and account features.

However, if you’re using a public computer or shared device, it’s a good idea to sign out of your Origin account when you’re finished using it to protect your account information and game library.

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