Unable To Activate Game On Steam With CD Key (Updated)

[GenoAmi]

tl;dr at bottom (update below that)

My CD Key for Mass Effect 3 from Origin isn't working. This is especially confusing to me, given the fact that the Steam version of Dragon Age: Origins' CD Key worked for Origin. I want to take advantage of the bundle discount for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (wherein getting both is 17% off each, but the real, the clear implication that the discount is given to those that have purchased Mass Effect 3).

Steam doesn't recognize me as owning the game (despite literally buying this game twice now, once for the 360, once for PC via Origin). I'd try the in-beta EA Desktop App, but it doesn't show my CD Keys. Do I need to look through my Xbox Console Companion to prove previous ownership? To be clear, I cannot be mistyping these, as they are directly copied and pasted from the Origin app.

Furthermore, none of my CD Keys from Origin seem to transfer to Steam. This means that my ownership of Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Dragon Age II, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Jade Empire, and any purchased DLC aren't recognized by Steam. I would really like to get that discount, and also not have to go through this again if there's a similar deal for whatever Dragon Age 4 turns into (if there's a similar discount for having owned previous games).

tl;dr: Why am I <title>?
Dragon Age: Origins' CD Keys => Origin = Works!
Any Origins games' CD Keys => Steam = Invalid code message
Want discount for ME:LE, but need Steam to recognize I own the game

Update: Just talked with an EA customer service representative. Gleaned the following-
* Origin CD Keys not recognized by Steam will not be given support. It seems that it only goes one way, from Steam to Origin.
* There are currently no plans to bring a discount (in the form of bundle or not) to Origin or the Beta EA Desktop Application. I was told to "keep an eye out", but given that the Steam bundle has been available for a week or two now, I'm not holding my breath.

My only recourse currently is to make a ticket to Steam itself, hoping that it allows such. The help site actually suggests the opposite- contacting Steam, and then the publisher. But it's the only shot I got left at taking advantage of the discount.

[tyl0413]

You can transfer games from Steam to Origin but not the other way around, if you want it here you gotta buy it again.

[GenoAmi]

Originally posted by tyl0413:

You can transfer games from Steam to Origin but not the other way around, if you want it here you gotta buy it again.

If that's the case, that's... disappointing, to put it lightly. It disincentivizes buying anything on Origin/EA Desktop, and prioritizes Steam purchases that I can distribute to the other platforms that are needed to run them in the first place (whether through one-time or multiple verification processes).

[Kakashi Okazaki]

Its just because they added this recently to steam. With the older games that were on steam first(Before Origin was the main hub IE Dragon age 2 DLC scandal) the CD key could activate both the origin and steam copy but now origin and steams keys are separate.

[GenoAmi]

Originally posted by Kakashi Okazaki:

Its just because they added this recently to steam. With the older games that were on steam first(Before Origin was the main hub IE Dragon age 2 DLC scandal) the CD key could activate both the origin and steam copy but now origin and steams keys are separate.

That seems silly. I went through the trouble of buying these games again, and now I can't transfer it because of a something on EA's end? Jeez. I don't have much money these days, and I'd really like to take advantage of ME:LE's bundle price.

[GenoAmi]

Originally posted by Liara:

Sadly, as mentioned above, you can transfer games from steam to origin, but not other way around. At least as far as I am aware. Personally I think this theme would deserve it's own thread, Steam/Origin related. Many people complain about Origin (me included, for I am only using steam) and it is kind of disappointing that you NEED origin to launch ME, especially if only game you use origin for, is ME. Personally, I think the easiest fix would be to make sure you can transfer the key to the platform you are using more often. Both platforms have it's issues. First of all, to start a game, you need origin. That is where I would start. As the game launches via origin, you also need origin to invite people to your lobby, you cannot do that from steam, as I am aware at least. So I think it would be best to merge the games to account. Also, using origin and steam at the same time makes fps drops if enabled both at the same time, which is another reason, to use one platform only. To that end, I sincerely hope, that ME:LE won't have same issue. And also, one question for the end, will it be possible to use original/LE saves for next mass effect, or only old/remaster?

I don't mind Origin in as much as it used to be the only way to play Mass Effect 3 and Andromeda. It used to be the only place to play Dragon Age II and Inquisition. It's where I got my free copy of Jade Empire, and it's where I could theoretically play Star Wars: The Old Republic, if I wanted to go through the stress of an MMORPG again. FPS issues are mostly solved by just disabling one or both overlays. Afaik, after launching it from both Steam and Origin once, it should remember that it's "registered", and not have to do so again (note: this last sentence is second-hand information and unreliable).

The important part, for me, is the discount. I don't have a lot of money these days, and would very much like to purchase this game when it comes out. That 17% discount is only available on Steam, and thus prioritizes Steam as the platform to purchase it in if you have Mass Effect 3.

[GenoAmi]

Update: Just talked with an EA customer service representative. Gleaned the following-
* Origin CD Keys not recognized by Steam will not be given support. It seems that it only goes one way, from Steam to Origin.
* There are currently no plans to bring a discount (in the form of bundle or not) to Origin or the Beta EA Desktop Application. I was told to "keep an eye out", but given that the Steam bundle has been available for a week or two now, I'm not holding my breath.

My only recourse currently is to make a ticket to Steam itself, hoping that it allows such. The help site actually suggests the opposite- contacting Steam, and then the publisher. But it's the only shot I got left at taking advantage of the discount.

[GenoAmi]

Welp. Steam clenched it- not able to use CD Keys from Origin to activate products on Steam. This means *if* I buy this game, it'll be at full price unless I wait for a sale at launch, or Origin somehow puts the same discount on their store. Disappointed, but not surprised.

[Rod Serling]

Aren't Origin and Steam accounts linked once you purchase a game that requires Origin to launch it?
And EA could somehow implement a system where it activates their products on your linked Steam account, which again is very clearly shown on their own account settings page.
I can completely understand EA not wanting to just give out CD keys, but they wouldn't have to if they invested some time into this shiz.

I can even see my connected Steam account when looking through my EA account settings...

EA loosened their grip a little, but they're still somewhat furiously holding onto their games like it's their only choice.