I don’t know why anyone would have expected anything different, given EA’s stance on PC games for a good long while now, and also given that Bioware’s previous game, Dragon Age Inquisition, also did not see a release on Steam; but if you were one of the people who was holding out in the hopes that Mass Effect Andromeda will be coming to Valve’s service, which remains the largest PC gaming distribution storefront, then your hopes have now officially been dashed.
Speaking on Twitter, Bioware’s Ian S. Frazier confirmed that the PC version of Mass Effect Andromeda will be available only on Origin; a disc version of the game was also mentioned, but presumably, it, too, will require activation via Origin, meaning that for PC gamers who want to play the next Mass Effect, there really is no escaping EA’s service.
Mass Effect Andromeda is due out on Xbox One, PS4 (with PS4 Pro enhancements and support), and PC some time this Spring.