Electronic Arts' EA Link digital content shop has been shut down, with a new EA Store put in its place. Additionally, a new EA Download Manager application is now a required install to purchase and manage downloads of games.
EA Link was originally launched in November 2006 as a revamp of its predecessor, EA Downloader, adding trailers, demos and special content to the prior edition of the PC content delivery service. However, it now seems to have been closed in favor of this new store.
In addition, according to the terms and conditions of digital downloads on the new site, purchases made through the EA Store can be re-downloaded if necessary for up to six months, but an optional $6 'extended download service' option grants the user an extension to two years.
As a note on the EA Link website indicates, the site has been replaced by the multi-format EA Store, which also allows ordering of physical discs for console games, with the message commenting: "Get in the game faster than ever by downloading the latest EA games straight from the EA Store."
It's not yet apparent how this will affect current owners of EA Link games on the PC, and no official announcement has yet been made on the change, with the change having originally been reported via a thread on game site EvilAvatar.com. Gamasutra has contacted Electronic Arts for further clarification on the matter.
