EA Access, the service that was built to contend with Sony’s Playstation Now, will be hitting the market sometime this summer. Those with an Xbox won’t have to worry though, this service does not require you to have Xbox Live to use.
EA Access includes services to accessing “The Vault” which will include Madden 25, FIFA 14, Peggle 2, and Battlefield 4 on the Beta test. EA says they’ll be adding more games, but we’ll have to see which games they’ll be adding. In comparison to Sony’s Playstation Now, which is using the Beta to show off some of the semi-popular games, EA is going all out with some of their best titles. For 30 dollars a year, 5 dollars a month, we can play these four games so far with more to come? That’s a steal.
On top of having “access” to older games, users will get 10% discounts on upcoming titles. This is restricted to digital download only, but includes Madden NFL 15 and Ultimate Team, FIFA 15 and Ultimate Team, as well as other downloadable content! As a final perk, you get to play the upcoming releases five days in advance. This “pre-release” is almost a trial demo version of the game, something to wet the player’s mouths with before the actual release of the game. In that instance, players can practice on certain competitive games to get the advantage. EA Access is stepping over boundaries and winning considerably with such a great deal.
Now, EA Access won’t require Xbox Live Gold Membership. However, they will require internet connection in order to receive your digital copies. If you want to play multiplayer on your Xbox One, you’ll have to pay for Xbox Gold. We’re no strangers to that. So if you’re factoring in the costs of your 60 dollar Xbox Live Gold membership and the 30 dollar EA Access membership, you’re paying 90 dollars a year. This is to play online, with four games, shaving off at least $150 dollars a year from purchasing the membership instead of each game separately. This only factors in the four games that EA Access has released. Imagine the amount of money saved with, say, 60 games? This service has a lot of potential for such a cheap price.
Sony is also trying their Playstation Now Beta, which will also give access to their games, but only on a rental service from 2.99 to 19.99 for longer rental usages. This is beneficial for those only putting in time to play the game once instead of own it forever. In EA’s case, the sports games should be kept to play with friends over and over again. Playstation Now hits all of the indie games and more on their service.
It seems that subscription based game services may make a comeback. Gamefly was one of the first notable game subscription services for such rental games, but now that the console-makers are starting it up, there may be some competition. Ease of Access is the name of this game, so we’ll have to see how EA Access pans out.
What do you all think of EA Access? Are you going to get it? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below!
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