EA's Origin attracting crowdfunded projects with free distribution

Electronic Arts will allow developers with crowd-funded projects to release their PC games through its download platform Origin, without having to pay any distribution fees for 90 days. This program is designed to allow EA to lure more studios to its nascent digital distribution service, and enable developers to reach Origin's audience of more than 12 million registered users worldwide with their crowdfunded games. The crowdfunding model for games -- financing a project with donations from fans -- on services like Kickstarter has become popular in recent months, with developers announcing new fundraising campaigns every day. InXile Entertainment, which recently raised $2.9 million to create a sequel to Fallout predecessor Wasteland, called the program a major economic bonus for small developers, and intends to bring Wasteland 2 to Origin. Celebrated game designer Jane Jensen (Gabriel Knight), who has so far raised almost $400,000 on Kickstarter for two new games developed by her studio Pinkerton Road, has also expressed interest in the program.