Testing period for new version of EA virtual marketplace does not include Origin Store or Twitch support; full client to be released "soon."

Origin is on its way to Mac. Electronic Arts has announced that a limited alpha version of the virtual marketplace is now available to download for users in North America and the United Kingdom. EA said it will admit only a "few thousand" users to the trial period.

Origin for Mac is aiming to rival its Windows counterpart in terms of services and functionality, including cloud storage, auto-patching, and friends list support. However, the Origin Store is missing from the alpha trial, as are Twitch streaming options.

A free copy of PopCap's puzzle game Bookworm will be given to all who take part in the Origin for Mac alpha trial. The game will remain in players' libraries when the alpha period comes to a close.

The full Origin for Mac client will launch "soon," EA said.

Origin currently has 30 million members, compared to Steam's 50 million.

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