What Does Linking Steam to EA Do? A Comprehensive Guide
Linking your Steam account to your EA (Electronic Arts) account creates a bridge between the two platforms, allowing you to access and play your EA games directly through Steam. This integration streamlines your gaming experience, providing a unified platform for managing your game library and interacting with friends, all while still requiring the EA app to run in the background for most games. In essence, you are using Steam as your primary launcher and interface, while your game content is still fundamentally managed by EA. This means when you launch an EA game on Steam, it will essentially initiate the game through the EA app (formerly Origin) in the background.
This process offers several advantages, including convenience, access to Steam’s social features, and the potential for discounts through EA Play membership. However, it also comes with some caveats, particularly concerning account linking, game progress, and the requirement for the EA app. Understanding these nuances is crucial for a seamless gaming experience. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics and address some frequently asked questions.
Streamlining Your Gaming Experience
The Convenience Factor
The primary benefit of linking your Steam and EA accounts is the sheer convenience it offers. Instead of juggling between different launchers, you can centralize your gaming on Steam. This means you can browse your EA games, launch them, and manage them all from one familiar interface. This integration simplifies the process and reduces the need to switch between different platforms, making your gaming life more efficient.
Accessing Steam’s Social Features
Beyond convenience, linking your accounts allows you to take advantage of Steam’s social features. You can see your Steam friends who are also playing EA games, chat with them, and even see their activity. This creates a more connected and enjoyable multiplayer experience, particularly for EA titles that support social play. It integrates your EA game experience into the wider Steam ecosystem.
EA Play Benefits on Steam
If you are an EA Play member, linking your accounts unlocks additional benefits. One key advantage is a 10% discount on EA digital purchases on Steam. This includes new releases, pre-orders, expansions, and other in-game content. However, it is important to remember that the EA Play discount only applies to the platform on which you joined. If you signed up for EA Play on a different platform, you will not receive the discount on Steam and vice-versa.
Understanding the Nuances
Account Linking is a One-Time Deal
It is important to note that the initial account linking process is a one-time occurrence. The first time you play an EA game on Steam, you will be prompted to link your EA account. Once this is done, the two accounts will remain linked until you choose to unlink them. This is the only time you need to link them.
The Role of the EA App
While Steam acts as the primary launcher, the EA app remains a crucial component. When you launch an EA game on Steam, the game will initiate through the EA app in the background. This means that while you can launch the game from Steam, the EA app must be running and you must be logged in with the correct credentials for the game to work correctly. This “double-launcher” approach can sometimes lead to confusion or compatibility issues if both clients are not working correctly.
Game Progress and Account Unlinking
A critical point to understand is that your in-game progress is tied to your EA account, not your Steam account. If you decide to unlink your EA account from Steam, you can link it to a different EA account, but all your in-game progress, DLC, expansions, and any other game-related content will not transfer over. This means you will permanently lose access to all of these items. Furthermore, be aware that once a specific platform account is linked to your EA Account, it cannot be linked to any other of the same type later on. For example, a linked PSN account can never be linked to any other EA Account after being unlinked.
Game Content Transfer
While linking accounts allows for integrated gameplay, transferring game content between accounts can be complex. Games and progress cannot be transferred between EA accounts by yourself, you must contact support for assistance. Steam game licenses are non-transferable and cannot be moved between Steam accounts. If you need to move game files between computers, you can use Steam’s backup and restore feature, or copy the game files locally, but Steam Decks and other non-standard Steam modes can not transfer files out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to link my EA account to Steam?
Yes, you must link your EA account to Steam to play EA games purchased on Steam. This process happens the first time you launch an EA game on Steam.
2. What happens if I unlink my EA account from Steam?
If you unlink your EA account from Steam, you can link it to another EA account, but you will lose access to your game progress, DLC, and other game-related content for the games associated with that original linked EA Account.
3. Can I transfer progress from EA to Steam?
Progress in games is primarily tied to your EA account. When you link your Steam account with your EA account, the game launches through the EA app (or Origin), meaning your progress from the EA account is what is used when playing an EA game on Steam. So, technically, it does transfer as you are using the same saved games.
4. Can I transfer games between EA accounts?
You cannot move your games or progress to another EA account yourself. You can contact EA support, who may help you combine accounts, though not everything may transfer.
5. Will deleting my EA account unlink it from Steam?
Deleting your EA account will remove your EA account from their systems and you will lose access to your games and any linked accounts. Your Steam account will be unlinked, but this is destructive.
6. Do I need the EA app to play EA games on Steam?
Yes, the EA app (formerly Origin) is still needed for most EA games on Steam. When you launch an EA game on Steam, it will initiate via the EA app in the background.
7. Is the EA app or Steam better?
Steam is generally considered to offer better services, with a larger library of games and often better pricing. However, the EA app is necessary for playing EA games purchased on any platform.
8. Why can’t I play EA games on Steam?
You may face issues if both Steam and the EA app are not functioning correctly or if you are not logged in with the correct EA account credentials. This is due to the two separate clients working together, which can lead to collaboration issues.
9. Can I have 2 EA accounts on one computer?
You can only be signed in to one EA account at a time. To have different game saves, you will need a different EA account and to purchase the game again.
10. Does EA ban for account sharing?
Yes, EA can suspend or terminate your account if they believe someone else is using it in violation of their user agreement, including activities that violate their rules.
11. Can an EA account only be linked to one Steam account in its lifetime?
Yes, each EA account can only have one Steam account linked to it in its lifetime, this applies to other platform accounts as well. Once linked, that Steam account is permanently connected. You cannot link a new one in the future.
12. Will I lose my games if I cancel EA Play?
If you cancel EA Play, you will keep your game progress, but you will not be able to play EA Play games unless you purchase them or resubscribe.
13. Can you unlink and relink an EA account?
You can unlink a platform account from your EA account and link it to a different EA account, as long as that second EA Account has not previously had the same platform account type linked to it.
14. Does uninstalling the EA app delete games?
No, uninstalling the EA app does not delete your games. Games are linked to your EA account, not your specific installation.
15. Can I merge Steam accounts?
No, Steam accounts cannot be merged. Per the Steam Subscriber Agreement, game subscriptions are non-transferable.
Conclusion
Linking your Steam and EA accounts provides a streamlined and convenient way to access your EA games, but it’s not without its intricacies. Understanding the process, implications, and limitations will help you navigate this integration effectively and ensure a smoother gaming experience. While the integration offers convenience and access to Steam’s social features, it requires careful consideration of account linking, game progress, and the role of the EA app. Knowing these specifics will ultimately allow you to get the most out of your integrated Steam and EA gaming experience.