EA Announces EA Access, An Xbox One Exclusive Subscription Service [Update]
By Martin Benn
In a blog post from July 25, 2014, publisher Electronic Arts has detailed a new subscription service, EA Access, available exclusively to Xbox One owners. Subscribers can choose between a monthly payment plan ($4.99/month) or an annual subscription ($29.99/yr) to the service. Currently, the service is in beta before being released to the full Xbox One user base through Xbox Live, Gamestop, and Amazon.
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So what will be available in this subscription package? A suite of varying features and benefits, the biggest of which is called The Vault. EA is lining up a series of big games they’ve published on Xbox One and giving unlimited access to EA Access subscribers as long as they maintain the membership. Currently, that lineup consists of Madden 25, FIFA 14, Battlefield 4, and Peggle 2, but EA has promised that lineup will expand in time.
In addition, subscribers will receive 10% discounts to EA digital content on the Xbox Live store. This includes games, DLC, and other content such as Battlefield Premium. There will also be an early access period granted to subscribers, allowing for them to access new EA titles up to 5 days before their release. Try out the new games during those days and if you like them, you can buy them and your progress will transfer over to your digital copy of the game.
For more information on the program you can check out the official EA Access website. This seems like it could be a real treat for Xbox One players. What do you think of the early idea of what EA Access is?
EA is answering some questions on their Twitter account @EAAccess about the services offers of early game trials and how The Vault will work.
"All Xbox One users on the same console as an EA Access member can access and play downloads from The Vault. – EA Access (@EAAccess)New titles will be added to The Vault over time. We’re excited to share more news as games are added to The Vault. – EA Access (@EAAccess)"
The Vault will not be like the Games With Gold offer from Xbox Live Gold. Each game will be available and more will be added, however, once the game leaves The Vault, then you will have the option to purchase it with your discount, you will not continue to own the license to play that game.
"That’s correct, these trials are the final version of the game, and progress carries over if you choose to buy – EA Access (@EAAccess)Trial length will differ per game, but you’ll always be playing the real game, & you will always have access to it 5 days b4 launch. – EA Access (@EAAccess)"
The early access to games are trial access to full retail versions of games. The games will be available 5 days before launch, but the time allotted for the trial will vary depending on the game.
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