Like Steam, EA Origin will be offering more than just downloadable games, Origin will feature social networking features, trophies/achievements, in game messaging and probably the most interesting, the ability to register non Origin bought games and integrate them into the service.

From the Wall Street Journal excerpt available via MorningStar.

Even if consumers don’t purchase games through Origin, they will be able to use it to create profile pages that record all of their scores and other progress on EA games and to establish Origin friend lists based on their friend lists on Facebook and other social networks.

This ability is something I wished Steam should have done a long time ago and fingers crossed, regional price gouging is kept to a minimum.

Is this the EA Origin Homepage or some Mockup?

I have no idea where the image came from – this one was taken from Kotaku.

From Bioware Forums:

Actually, just this afternoon, we finished up the deal, so I can now confirm that Dragon Age: origins WILL indeed come to Steam.
Now, before you all go running over to Steam to pre-order, the page is not up yet. Both us and the fine folks at Valve are working to make something for you ASAP, but I think it won’t be ready till next week. So just us a little time and we’ll let you know as soon as it is ready.
Stay Tuned.

Dragon Age: Origins is built apon a new game engine named Eclipse and like all modern game engines a toolset for creation of fan-made content will be included.

The Dragon Age Origins Character Creator is now available.

Dragon Age: Origins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5St9phiHHE

Dragon Age: Origins is a dark heroic fantasy set in a unique world. As the spiritual successor of BioWare’s popular Baldur’s Gate series of games, it uses a pause-and-play tactical combat system. Play in over-the-shoulder mode, or the more tactical top-down view. Dragon Age: Origins features a stunning amount of cinematic dialog.  Players will be able to acquire unique party members. These party members will have their own motivations for accompanying the player.

Check out the Official Dragon Age: Orgins site.

The cheapest place to pre-order a Retail copy of Dragon Age origins Collectors edition again appears to be Fishpond and according to Whirlpool the coupon code READER gets you $10 Off making it just $70 Australian.

Steam Launches Hit PC Games from EA

“EA is one of the industry’s largest publishers,” said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. “The EA titles coming to Steam this holiday include some this year’s top PC titles.”

“We are pleased to extend our holiday titles to gamers worldwide via Steam — a revolutionary technology that is one of the game industry’s most successful digital distribution services,” said John Pleasants, President, Global Publishing & Chief Operating Officer.  Source

Update:  Now available in Europe and Australia.  Thanks Valve.

Available now:

• Spore
• Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack
• Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
• Mass Effect
• Need for Speed Undercover
• EA Sports’ FIFA Manager 2009

Coming Soon:

• Mirror’s Edge
• Red Alert 3
• Dead Space

More info at Big Download and This Steam Forum thread.