Origin Offline Mode is the Cure (Currently)

[Data]

Haven't seen this solution discussed yet and it's very relevant now EA are attempting to force their new app.

So, to those that haven't got the EA app yet and have the "please update me" origin still, don't update. Play in offline mode. Steam achievements still work that way.

You have to sign in on launch every time but for that whole session the Steam functionality is fine!

Sidenote: If you still have the OriginSetup file, you can use that to install Origin, it should work afterwards if you follow this method.

[Sansypants]

but how can i go on origin offline mode if its stuck on the "install ea play" screen

[soopytwist]

Originally posted by Capt. D4TA:

Haven't seen this solution discussed yet and it's very relevant now EA are attempting to force their new app.

So, to those that haven't got the EA app yet and have the "please update me" origin still, don't update. Play in offline mode. Steam achievements still work that way.

You have to sign in on launch every time but for that whole session the Steam functionality is fine!

Sidenote: If you still have the OriginSetup file, you can use that to install Origin, it should work afterwards if you follow this method.

Not for everyone. As EA roll it out per account you're either lucky. Or f'ked.

[Data]

I've had it on the "Install EA Play" screen, I'm past the roll out.

A step I may need to add in is saying "YES" when launching the game followed by cancelling the setup when the EA Play installer shows up.

Then, your Origin will boot up confused and you just tell it to stick to offline mode.

[MightyKombat]

Tried that but I'm still getting the "LOL INSTALL EA APP" blocker.

[SoloDeoGloria]

Originally posted by Capt. D4TA:

I've had it on the "Install EA Play" screen, I'm past the roll out.

A step I may need to add in is saying "YES" when launching the game followed by cancelling the setup when the EA Play installer shows up.

Then, your Origin will boot up confused and you just tell it to stick to offline mode.

Would you mind posting the state of the following registry keys on your machine?

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Electronic Arts
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Origin

I've been trying to get the Origin app to work by identifying and suspending the thread responsible for the overlay. I've identified the thread but it manages the main UI. I'm not sure if I will be able to figure out how to prevent the overlay from taking over.

I am curious about the state of your registry such that you are able to run Origin in the manner you have described here.

[Data]

Will look at the registry keys when I'm next at my machine, this all still works for me.

Basically just in offline mode and refuse to update at all so, it can't do anything to stop me. Finished all ME2 with it like this and got all the achievements.

I'll just stress that the process for me is the following:

Play ME:LE, say Yes/no (doesn't matter for me now) when steam prompts. If I'd pressed 'yes', I just then cancel the EA app setup.

Origin loads up, it says it needs an update, I click the third option saying I'll just play in offline mode.

I log in to origin, it starts in offline and ME:LE boots. From there I play as usual and get steam achievements. The only other thing that pops up ever is the initial Origin offline mode thing in the corner telling me it's running but offline.

[SoloDeoGloria]

I see now. So you are fortunate enough to have not updated. I'm kicking myself for having done the most recent upgrade. Thank you for explaining your situation.

[barzai]

Originally posted by SoloDeoGloria:

I see now. So you are fortunate enough to have not updated. I'm kicking myself for having done the most recent upgrade. Thank you for explaining your situation.

Well I violated my usual policy and DID accept the latest Origin update, as the last one--a week or so earlier--proved to not be a problem.

However firing up the game still seems to work: all I have to do is decline the "repair" of DAI itself that Origin offers, and it's on to the game.

Occasionally Origin will announce that it's doing the repair anyhow, but if I switch to offline mode it stops and rather peevishly informs me it can't repair the game while it's offline. It's like a stubborn child! :-)

And the only reason to ever need to be online is if you're importing a personalized world state for a new game. So mostly it's a non-issue. It used to be that you could connect to the DAI server even if you were offline, but apparently they closed that loophole! :-)

[Aius]

Originally posted by Capt. D4TA:

I've had it on the "Install EA Play" screen, I'm past the roll out.

A step I may need to add in is saying "YES" when launching the game followed by cancelling the setup when the EA Play installer shows up.

Then, your Origin will boot up confused and you just tell it to stick to offline mode.

I tried this for awhile, to no avail, due to the fact that Origin will require you to re-log in every 10 days to reverify your Steam CD Key, forcing you out of being able to play offline mode and requiring you to update and an internet connection.

Which is why I hate DRM Protection like this and wish lawmakers would ban this sort of practice.

[ACEsino]

Just make a firewall rule for EA app

[Sven_Q45]

Originally posted by soopytwist:

Originally posted by Capt. D4TA:

Haven't seen this solution discussed yet and it's very relevant now EA are attempting to force their new app.

So, to those that haven't got the EA app yet and have the "please update me" origin still, don't update. Play in offline mode. Steam achievements still work that way.

You have to sign in on launch every time but for that whole session the Steam functionality is fine!

Sidenote: If you still have the OriginSetup file, you can use that to install Origin, it should work afterwards if you follow this method.

Not for everyone. As EA roll it out per account you're either lucky. Or f'ked.

So I guessed I´m effed. I didn´t even know what is the fuss about that all.
I just installed the EA app cuz I didn´t know. But yesterday noticed (also in my room) that I didn´t get achievements in a long time.

[𝓝𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏☣]

i post this just to avoid people wasting time looking for how to make the cheevos pop:

-modifyng local.xml didn't work to me
-keeping ea app offline didn't work to me
-setting firewall specific rules didn't work to me

and now the good news:

-download origin: https://download.dm.origin.com/origin/live/OriginThinSetup.exe
-uninstall ea app
-change your pc date to 1st february 2023
-install origin and of course do not upgrade to ea app
-open origin (and keep it open) and set offline mode
-launch ME through steam

this worked to me

most important,i wanna say THANK YOU to all those f.u.c....,i mean to all those lovely people who make Electronic Arts so awesome: every,every,every time we need help with your games AFTER giving you our money we can count on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Data]

I must be very fortunate as for me, it's just having Origin still installed, saying to not update and use Origin in offline mode when it prompts me and then logging into it.

Sure it's not ideal, have to log in each time but so far, it's not gotten in the way of the 'chieves popping.

[N117 Spectre]

This is the best fix. You also don't have to go offline:

Originally posted by Citizen Cook:

From @p0358 on twitter. This is a way to keep the Origin app.

Uninstall EA app (hooray!)

Install Origin app, don't run it, if it runs, kill it via Task Manager (or with fire, whichever is easiest)

Go to C:\ProgramData\Origin\ and load up local.xml in Notepad

Add the following line:
<Setting key="MigrationDisabled" type="1" value="true"/> at the bottom

Save file (as .xml, not .txt!)

Run Origin. EA Popup is now gone!

You can run Mass Effect from here or from Steam. Achievements are back! Woohoo!

[Sven_Q45]

Can´t keep my PC that "old" all the time. Next time I´ll play I have to look for Origin.

It´s really a bad thing. But glad I have an affirmation since today what I noticed the last few days.