As described by title, I own a certain number of games on Steam. How can I determine whether a Steam game can be activated on Origin as well?
Steam – How to determine whether a Steam game can be activated on Origin as well
originsteam
Related Solutions
The fact that you don't even get a warning at checkout means Steam considers them different games. Therefore there is no way it would tell you you own it already.
It is possible to launch Mass Effect 3 through Steam, but you still need Origin to load the game. I just tested this myself by:
- Clicking Add A Game in the bottom left of the library tab
- Add a Non-Steam Game
- Browse...
- Local Disk --> Program Files (x86) --> Origin Games --> Mass Effect 3 --> Binaries --> Win32 --> MassEffect3.exe
Now when I launch the application from Steam, it launches Origin which then launches Mass Effect 3. Launchception.
Note that I am playing from a Windows Computer running Windows 7 64-bit, so the names of your exact directories will differ by OS/depending on how you set up your Origin installation.
If you were hoping to access your Steam Overlay within the game, this will require a bit of a workaround.
Instead of having a direct shortcut to ME3, you will have to create a shortcut to Origin:
- Clicking Add A Game in the bottom left of the library tab
- Add a Non-Steam Game
- Browse...
- Local Disk --> Program Files (x86) --> Origin --> Origin.exe
Make sure Origin isn't currently running, then launch it from Steam. Now, when you launch any game from this instance of Origin, you will be able to access the Steam overlay. Screenshot of my ME3 with the Steam Overlay here.
If you want to get fancy, you can also rename the shortcut (to Mass Effect 3) as well as change the icon to ME3's to replace the default Origin one:
Both overlays will be available (assuming they are on different key bindings). Be aware, however: opening the Origin overlay will pause the game, but opening the Steam overlay will not. Further, when both overlays are opened at the same time, the steam overlay cannot be interacted with (the origin overlay pops up on top of it).
Related Topic
- Steam – Do Origin Cloud saves work properly with Steam
- Steam – use DLC from Origin with the base game from Steam
- Steam – Should I install steam/origin on SSD and map some games to HDD or other way around
- Steam – How is Multiplayer and achievement tracking done with Steam and Origin
- Steam – Differences between playing the same game on Steam and Origin
- Steam – Cannot get Steam Controller to work with FIFA16 (Origin)
Best Answer
This list was obtained here. In addition, the following Steam games also can be activated on Origin:
If you have an EA Game not listed here that you can retrieve the CD Key from Steam you can try to activate it on Origin and even if it doesn't work, you may be able to contact support and get them to activate it.