EA will soon launch Origin, a new digital distribution service that aims to compete with Steam in terms of features. According to a Wall Street Journal report, it’s a singular application that will allow users to “purchase, download and keep track of games for PCs.” It also boasts “Facebook-like” social-networking functionality that allows friends to communicate with each other while gaming.

Yup, sounds a lot like Steam. Of course, this isn’t EA’s first foray into the digital space. The current EA store features a client that allows users to download and purchase titles digitally, though it lacks any sense of integration — and it’s certainly nowhere near as elegant as Steam. Origin plans to change that.

BioWare’s upcoming MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic will be among the first of exclusive offerings on the service, according to community manager Stephen Reid.

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