EA Access News Post

EA Access for Xbox One: Play EA Games Up to Five Days Before the Release Date

02:07 PM - July 29, 2014 by Steve_OS

EA has just announced EA Access, exclusive for Xbox One users.

Here are a few things that it will offer:

EA Access membership unlocks The Vault, a collection of EA’s biggest games on Xbox One ready for you to download and play.
Besides the great games in The Vault, EA Access members will save 10% on purchases of EA digital content for Xbox One offered through the Xbox Games Store.
Membership in EA Access lets you experience trials of new EA games up to five days before the release date.* It starts with Madden NFL 15, NHL 15, FIFA 15, NBA LIVE 15, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, but more are on the way. If you decide to buy the game, your progress will carry over so you can pick up right where you left off.

You can join EA Access for just $4.99 per month, or you can purchase an annual membership for $29.99 per year on Xbox LIVE. It is in beta right now, but should be rolling out for Xbox One users very soon.

Read the full press release below.

Announcing EA Access for Xbox One: The Best Way to Play EA’s Games

Today we’re revealing a new way for gamers to play more EA games. This is something we’ve never done before and we’re excited to share it with you.

We have partnered with Microsoft to deliver EA Access, an all-new monthly (or annual) membership for gamers exclusively on Xbox One that starts at just $4.99 a month. The service is being rolled out in beta to a limited number of players today, but it will launch for everyone on Xbox One soon. At EA, we are always looking for new ways to make it easier for gamers to play more EA games across all platforms, and we are excited about what EA Access will offer to players on Xbox One.

EA Access membership unlocks The Vault, a collection of EA’s biggest games on Xbox One ready for you to download and play. During the beta, gamers will have unlimited access to four great EA games: FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, Peggle 2 and Battlefield 4™, with more titles being added soon. That’s over $100 worth of games for $4.99 a month. You can play these EA favorites as much as you want with the click of a button.

EA Access is a totally new way for you to play more of the games you love, for less. Here’s a rundown of the additional benefits EA Access members will get:

Awesome Value – Besides the great games in The Vault, EA Access members will save 10% on purchases of EA digital content for Xbox One offered through the Xbox Games Store. From full digital-download titles like the upcoming Dragon Age™ Inquisition or NHL®15, to additional membership services such as Battlefield 4 Premium or even FIFA Ultimate Team points, it’s all 10% off for members.*

Play First – Membership in EA Access lets you experience trials of new EA games up to five days before the release date.* It starts with Madden NFL 15, NHL 15, FIFA 15, NBA LIVE 15, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, but more are on the way. If you decide to buy the game, your progress will carry over so you can pick up right where you left off.

You can join EA Access for just $4.99 per month, or you can purchase an annual membership for $29.99 per year on Xbox LIVE®.

Soon, fans of GameStop will be able to purchase their EA Access membership in local retail stores. GameStop and Amazon will also carry EA Access memberships for Xbox One gamers across Europe, as well as EB Games in Canada.

Excited to check it out? EA Access will launch on Xbox One soon. You will find more information on the program at the EA Access website. Be sure to follow EA Access on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Stay tuned!

*Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See www.ea.com/eaaccess for details.

UPDATE: EA just added their FAQ.

UPDATE #2: Here is the official response from Sony.

Quote:


	We don’t think asking our fans to pay an additional $5 a month for this EA-specific program represents good value to the PlayStation gamer."

Game: EA AccessHype Score: 5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox OneVotes for game: 2 - View All

Member Comments

# 181 jcmreds @ 07/30/14 12:59 PM

It would be a good deal if EA actually made any games I wanted to play.

# 182 leviticuslp @ 07/30/14 01:00 PM

I would love invite to the preview program. Can someone hook me up please? GT: Lp Leviticus

# 183 Cowboy008 @ 07/30/14 01:41 PM

It's a little disappointing that Sony passed on it since I would have bought it just to play the games 5 days early. Since Sony turned them down do you think it will cause any bad feelings between the two companies?

# 184 oGFeRNie @ 07/30/14 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete1210


	I'm not interested in early access, but may go for this to get the Vault titles. My only concern is that it sounds like the Vault titles are not yours as long as you are a subscriber (like Games w Gold and PS+), but are subject to change; that is Vault titles can be added and removed at EA's discretion.

Actually you get to keep your games for gold on the xbox,just not on PS plus.

# 185 atc43 @ 07/30/14 01:58 PM

I wonder if people realize that on the $30 sub it will take you 5 digital games with the 10% discount to recoup the subscription cost. Do many of you actually buy 5 EA games every year?

Say you buy only 3 games while youre sub is active. You save $18 from the discounts but theres still $12 on the table that you have to decide whether or not is worth it for the early trial/vault games. How often will games be added to the vault? Look at Titanfall, how long before that is added? Or Dragon Age Inquisition. Are people fine with waiting 6+ months before a new game is added to the vault? Will you really be fine with having access to year old sports games some of which youve already purchased the updated version?

What happens when other publishers begin doing this and try to lock content like story missions and map packs behind their specific subscription? People say that is just fear mongering, but look at where the industry has gone with DLC/Microtransactions and even retailer specific DLC. Do we really want to have to pay subscription on top of subscription on top of subscription to access content not available elsewhere? I for one, really hope this doesnt take off.

# 186 ricky24 @ 07/30/14 02:02 PM

The only sport game I buy on launch day is NHL. So it's worth it for me. 30 bucks a year is not much at all. I'll buy in and see where this vault thing goes. Can always just get rid of it.

# 187 pacman5769 @ 07/30/14 02:03 PM

My only thing is the $$ it saves on MUT purchases....I was dissapointed that my Season Ticket didnt include PS4 when I bought it...

# 188 ckarlic @ 07/30/14 02:19 PM

Any idea when the EA Access program will start? Interested in seeing how this works.

# 189 BigD @ 07/30/14 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy008


	It's a little disappointing that Sony passed on it since I would have bought it just to play the games 5 days early. Since Sony turned them down do you think it will cause any bad feelings between the two companies?

My thing is, can't Sony just implement the "season ticket" feature so to speak? I can understand turning down the whole EA Vault, but I wonder if they could find a deal to allow us PS4ers to just play the EA sports games early, like season ticket used to be? I'll admit I'm pretty disappointed at not being able to play NHL or Madden early. I had the Season Ticket for last gen, loved it and would without a doubt buy it again.

# 190 GamerDad4 @ 07/30/14 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc43


	I wonder if people realize that on the $30 sub it will take you 5 digital games with the 10% discount to recoup the subscription cost. Do many of you actually buy 5 EA games every year? Say you buy only 3 games while youre sub is active. You save $18 from the discounts but theres still $12 on the table that you have to decide whether or not is worth it for the early trial/vault games. How often will games be added to the vault? Look at Titanfall, how long before that is added? Or Dragon Age Inquisition. Are people fine with waiting 6+ months before a new game is added to the vault? Will you really be fine with having access to year old sports games some of which youve already purchased the updated version? What happens when other publishers begin doing this and try to lock content like story missions and map packs behind their specific subscription? People say that is just fear mongering, but look at where the industry has gone with DLC/Microtransactions and even retailer specific DLC. Do we really want to have to pay subscription on top of subscription on top of subscription to access content not available elsewhere? I for one, really hope this doesnt take off.

I think your view is single focused. You also have to factor in "the vault." Now, if you want to play one of those games, you have already re-couped your $30. Each one of those games sells for at least $30 new. If you play the game for any period of time, a day, a month, or a year, you are ahead.

Also, keep in mind the other aspect of the preview program. Say you want to buy Dragon Age. You play the preview and decide that the game is good, but not worth paying $60 on day one. You can wait a few weeks or even until the holiday season and buy the game when it is on sale for $40. Right there, you have already made back $20.

I am not trying to make a point for or against EA Access. I just think that choices are good for all of us gamers. If you don't want it, cool. No need to go out on to forums like this to bash EA, Sony, or MS. Its a new program, it may not be perfect, but it does give us some choices.

# 191 Wrythm @ 07/30/14 02:47 PM

It confuses me how anyone can view this as a negative.

Even if you don't think it's an amazing deal, there's still nothing but positives from it if you own an XBox One.

# 192 Thanatopsis @ 07/30/14 02:55 PM

For those complaining about the cost, if you pay for the entire year its 29.99 aka $2.50 a month. If you can't afford $2.50 with no second thoughts, please get off the internet and start picking up cans and glass bottles to return for recycling money.

# 193 ricky24 @ 07/30/14 03:05 PM

Are people even able to send invites to this?

# 194 Wrythm @ 07/30/14 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thanatopsis


	For those complaining about the cost, if you pay for the entire year its 29.99 aka $2.50 a month. If you can't afford $2.50 with no second thoughts, please get off the internet and start picking up cans and glass bottles to return for recycling money.

Get 'em.

Honestly, even if it was a $5.00 a month charge ($60 yearly subscription), spare yourself the inevitable trip to Taco Bell/McDonald's/Jack In The Box whatever once a month and you're good.

The freak out is amazing for what is being offered.

# 195 Glenn33 @ 07/30/14 04:20 PM

I am stunned anyone would view this as a negative. EVERY YEAR there are threads that come up specifically for where people can find a game early. Cats on this board will drive cross town and in some cases cross state lines to get games early. Gas aint cheap! Some members will overnight games bought on ebay just to get them early.

But EA gives access to a game 5 days early and it's not awesome for $5?