Must use EA client (Origin client Revised)

[Mardoin69]

Unfortunately, EA finally managed to lock me out of the Origin Client. So, that client is most likely a dead horse (unless someone finds another work around.) So, I'll let you in on a little advice for the new EA client. If you upgraded from Origin to the new EA client, you may have fell victim to some broken data values in your Windows Registry. These will cause all kinds of problems when trying to play games that use 'EA Games' game client. There's a simple yet tedious solution. Deleting all the Windows Registry values for 'EA Games' related apps.

This is a bit of a tedious task and people have found some simple edits to certain registry keys for fixing a specific game. But, this method I'm going to propose is more thorough and almost certainly going to fix ALL the associated games for the EA client.

First, Uninstall all EA's game titles. You should set aside your game saves if you have any you want to continue playing. Then uninstall the clients themselves... EA and Origin. Do a restart on the PC to be sure Windows Registry gets updated and saved. Next, go through your PC and delete ALL the folders that were left behind on your system... anything named Origin, EA, or Electronic Arts. You'll need to have 'view--options' set to 'show hidden files and folders' in order to see some important ones you need to sift through. These are the 'Program DATA' folder and the users 'AppData' folders. There will be several of these EA folders in those places... to include in the C:\Program Files...\folders, that need deleted. Once finished. do another restart.

Now, you'll need to use a Registry Cleaner--whichever one you prefer... like the free version of CCleaner for example. Run a cleaning and clear out all the registry entries for anything EA related... origin, ea client, and games. Restart the PC again and double check Registry. You want a fresh restart of the pc after you know you've completely cleaned the registry.

At this point, you should not be getting erroneous registry entries when installing the EA client and games since there are none to begin with. Go online to EA Games and download the latest game client installer. Also, be sure in your profile settings that you've linked EA with Steam. This will help ensure proper communication between the two clients. Install the EA client and configure it how you want. Now you can install all your games. You should be able to launch them without issue at this point.

It kind of sux we're all at the mercy of this new EA client. But, at least you should be able to have your games working successfully... despite the new client not being as user friendly as the old Origin client was--imo.

[Poogs]

Thank you so much for posting this. I can play this game again.

[WizZzard]

unfortunately did not work for me. i just give up at this point. it's so weird, sims 4 and every other game works on both the origin and ea app, its just dragon age inquisition that doesn't

[Luhai]

Worked for me, thanks.

[Mardoin69]

Originally posted by WizZzard:

unfortunately did not work for me. i just give up at this point. it's so weird, sims 4 and every other game works on both the origin and ea app, its just dragon age inquisition that doesn't

Maybe you need to do a 'complete' uninstall of everything 'EA' related on your PC....to include the DA:Inquisition game. So, like....uninstall the DA:Inquisition game first after you've made a backup of your game save. Then uninstall the EA client. Next, dig through your PC's directories and delete any folder named 'EA' or 'EA...something or rather.....Be sure you have viewing options to 'show hidden system folders' and delete them within the C:\Program Data\ folder also. Also, dig through your user folder inside the 'AppData' folder under Local, LocalLow, and Roaming. There'll be some EA folders in there too. While your doing this, also delete the Origin folders cuz you may have a botched install of it as well. Just do same process with Origin client if that's what you currently installed.

After all that's done, you should have a PC with no trace of EA or Origin on it. Next you'll want to use a registry cleaner to remove all their entries in the Windows Registry. Something like the free version of CCleaner works great for this. Once it's done, restart the PC. Now you have a clean slate and can run the install of the Origin Client along with signing into Origin....at which point the popup notice will lock it up. There maybe some stuff going on in the background with the client if you left the 'Origin Games' folder with any of your game installs on the PC. If so, you can just wait for a bit and let it finish. Then follow the procedure I listed in the Beginning of this thread. Afterward, install DA:Inquisition, copy your save back and play test.

[Ninja Sloth]

URE A WIZZARD ARRY!!!

[Mardoin69]

Also, for anyone that uses this method.....if you have other games requiring EA sign-in....spread the word in those forums too. Currently, the EA client app is a hot mess and most people that use mods with their games will prolly not be getting their games to work using the new EA client. Some even with just standard installs. So, untill EA Games client developers pull their heads out of where the sun don't shine, we players will need to use this work-around. So spread the word please.

[barzai]

Originally posted by Mardoin69:

Also, for anyone that uses this method.....if you have other games requiring EA sign-in....spread the word in those forums too. Currently, the EA client app is a hot mess and most people that use mods with their games will prolly not be getting their games to work using the new EA client. Some even with just standard installs. So, untill EA Games client developers pull their heads out of where the sun don't shine, we players will need to use this work-around. So spread the word please.

Amen to that, brother. You should see the ululations in the MELE forum!

EDIT: Part of the problem seems to be that no one understands that whole "Search Discussions" thing any more. If I had a nickel for every new "EA App broke my game, waaah!" thread...well, you know the rest.

[Falschirmjager]

This approach does not work for me.
The message to switch to EA app still appears and the game still goes into a black window (except for DAI logo at bottom right) and never starts. If I try to start from EA app directly, I get a message that my files need repair (Steam local file verification reports no errors).
Ironically, I expected a lot of work getting mods to work, but here, with a clean download and no mods, I expected it to at least start, for Pete's sake!

===================================================================
Edit:
As a result of my attempts (see above) I currently have the EA app installed; this means the Origin client was removed (again) by the new app. In desperation, I tried one last thing: I uninstalled and reinstalled DAI on Steam. Miraculously, the game opened! I did have to resign-in to the EA app.

[swishpronoob]

Will my game saves be alright if I do any of these methods?

[Mardoin69]

Originally posted by swishpronoob:

Will my game saves be alright if I do any of these methods?

YOu should make backup copies of your game saves just to be sure.......it's always a 'best practice' to make your own manual backups. Don't rely on that steam cloud or EA/Origin cloud save feature. They are known to bug peoples saves in some games.

[swishpronoob]

Originally posted by Mardoin69:

Originally posted by swishpronoob:

Will my game saves be alright if I do any of these methods?

YOu should make backup copies of your game saves just to be sure.......it's always a 'best practice' to make your own manual backups. Don't rely on that steam cloud or EA/Origin cloud save feature. They are known to bug peoples saves in some games.

Cool thanks, I'll use gamesave manager!

[smileAndWin]

Just for reference: I had the same problem but found out that I can also start the game via hitting "Play" in the EA App instead of Steam. I was unaware that my EA App knew about the game installation because I bought it on Steam, but it works. I hope this information is helpful for somebody with the same issue.

I have no save games yet and do not know if save games will be preserved.

[Dustin81]

Origin keeps annoyingly trying to repair/update the install every other time I try to run the game.

[barzai]

Originally posted by Dustin81:

Origin keeps annoyingly trying to repair/update the install every other time I try to run the game.

If you "Go Offline" Origin will then sniffilly tell you that it can't repair while you're offline and that it will queue the "repair" for your next session. You should then be able to proceed as before.

[Mardoin69]

And, turn off automatic updates for client and games.