EA Access

EA Access
Developer Electronic Arts
Type Subscription gaming service
Launch date August 11, 2014
Platform Xbox One
Status Released
Website www.ea.com/eaaccess/

EA Access (stylized as EA access) is a subscription-based gaming service by Electronic Arts. Initially pitched to both Microsoft and Sony for use on their consoles, EA Access launched only on Xbox One on August 11, 2014. The service allows access to select games published by Electronic Arts, along with additional incentives.

Structure

Upon downloading the EA Access hub from the Xbox Games Store, users purchase a membership in either one- or 12-month increments. Memberships can be purchased through the Games Store or from select retailers.[1] During the membership period, users have unlimited access to the full versions of a selection of games published by EA, dubbed "the Vault".[1] The games are downloaded to the console's storage device and remain available as long as users continue their membership. If membership is suspended, access to the games is restricted, but all progress and game saves are retained. Users may purchase games available in EA Access outright, along with other EA games, at a discounted price.[1] EA Access members can purchase DLC for Access or other EA titles at the same discount.[1] Games offered in the initial beta launch include Battlefield 4, Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14 and Peggle 2.[2] More games will be added in the future, with additions occurring at EA's discretion as opposed to timed availability, such as making a title available on Access a set number of days after its retail launch.[3] When a game is added to the Vault, EA has pledged that it will not be removed at a later date.[3] However, the Terms of Service do state that EA does retain the right to remove titles with 30 days' notice.[3]

Users interested in select upcoming titles and who pre-order them through Access will be able to download special limited versions of the games that are released five days prior to the retail launch. Any progress earned within the limited versions carries over to the full retail version.[1] EA describes these early-release versions as not being more traditional demos, but instead full-featured versions that are time limited, with the exact extent of content varying from game to game.[4] Games confirmed for this program include Madden NFL 15, NHL 15, NBA Live 15, FIFA 15 and Dragon Age: Inquisition.[2] In the case of Madden NFL 15, the Access early-release version will be the only planned way to sample the game prior to release.[5]

EA Access does not require users to have a paid Xbox Live membership, although a Gold-level membership is required for use of any multiplayer features that are included in Access-enabled games.[6]

Additionally, games published on the EA Partners brand (such as Titanfall) are not eligible for EA Access benefits.[7] However, Titanfall was added to the Vault in June 2015, as part of an E3 2015 promotion that also enabled a free trial for all Xbox One owners.[8]

Additionally, EA Access subscribers are also able to receive downloadable content for games in the Vault free at during various limited time periods, such as the Naval Strike and Second Assault DLCs for Battlefield 4.[9] Subscribers who download the free DLCs offered during the free period are able to keep them regardless of subscription status.

Release and reception

EA Access debuted in beta form exclusively on Xbox One on July 29, 2014,[1] and was officially launched on August 11, 2014.[10] Electronic Arts approached both Sony and Microsoft with the service, but Sony declined to make it available on their PlayStation 4 console.[11] A similar version called Origin Access launched in January 12, 2016 on PC.[12]

Shares of video game retailer GameStop, which sells both new and used games, fell over five percent after Electronic Arts' announcement.[13] A similar price drop occurred after PlayStation Now was first announced and that the stock price subsequently recovered.[13] GameStop will be one of the retailers selling EA Access memberships.[13]

Games in the Vault

No. Title Date released Date added Sources
1 Battlefield 4 October 29, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
2 Madden NFL 25 August 27, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
3 FIFA 14 September 24, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
4 Peggle 2 December 9, 2013 July 29, 2014 [3]
5 Need for Speed Rivals November 15, 2013 September 2, 2014 [14]
6 Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare February 25, 2014 October 15, 2014 [15]
7 EA Sports UFC June 17, 2014 December 12, 2014 [16]
8 NBA Live 15 October 28, 2014 February 25, 2015 [17]
9 Madden NFL 15 August 26, 2014 March 5, 2015 [18]
10 NHL 15 September 9, 2014 April 9, 2015 [19]
11 FIFA 15 September 23, 2014 May 8, 2015 [20]
12 Titanfall March 11, 2014 June 15, 2015 [21]
13 Dragon Age: Inquisition November 18, 2014 August 4, 2015 [21]
14 Battlefield Hardline March 17, 2015 October 14, 2015 [22]
15 Madden NFL 16 August 25, 2015 February 2, 2016 [23]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lawler, Richard (July 29, 2014). "'EA Access' subscription on Xbox One brings all-you-can-eat gaming for $5 per month". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  2. 1 2 Moriarty, Colin (July 29, 2014). "EA Announces Subscription Service on Xbox One: EA Access". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pereira, Chris (August 7, 2014). "EA Promises Not to Remove Games From EA Access' Free Games Vault". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  4. ↑ Sirani, Jordan (August 7, 2014). "New Details Emerge on EA Access' Game Selection and Trials". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ Samit Sarkar (August 11, 2014). "Madden NFL 15 won't be playable early unless you pay for EA Access". polygon.com. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ Cavalli, Earnest (July 30, 2014). "EA unveils Xbox One subscription service, EA Access". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  7. ↑ Earnest Cavalli (August 10, 2014). "EA unveils Xbox One subscription service, EA Access [update]". Joystiq. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  8. ↑ Kyle Hilliard (June 15, 2015). "Titanfall And Dragon Age Inquisition Joining EA Access Vault, Vault Opening To All Gold Members This Week". gameinformer.com. GameStop. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ https://www.vg247.com/2015/08/28/battlefield-4-dlc-naval-strike-free-this-week-for-ea-access-members/
  10. ↑ Eddie Makuch (August 11, 2014). "EA Access Now Available On Xbox One". gamespot.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  11. ↑ Karmali, Luke (July 30, 2014). "Sony Passed on EA Access for PS4 as It's Not 'Good Value'". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  12. ↑ https://www.origin.com/en-us/store/origin-access
  13. 1 2 3 Makuch, Eddie (July 29, 2014). "GameStop Shares Tumble After EA Access Announcement". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  14. ↑ Campbell, Evan (September 2, 2014). "Need for Speed Rivals, More 6-Hour Trials, Coming to EA Access". IGN. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  15. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (October 15, 2015). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is now part of EA Access". Polygon. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  16. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (December 12, 2014). "EA Sports UFC joins EA Access next week". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  17. ↑ Futter, Mike (February 25, 2015). "PSA: NBA Live 15 Joins EA Access Vault". Game Informer. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  18. ↑ Scammell, David (March 5, 2015). "Madden NFL 15 now free on EA Access". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  19. ↑ Sirani, Jordan (April 9, 2015). "NHL 15 Added to EA Access Vault". IGN. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  20. ↑ Devore, Jordan (May 8, 2015). "FIFA 15 now included in EA Access". Destructoid. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  21. 1 2 Grant, Christopher (June 15, 2015). "EA Access Vault free this week, Titanfall and Dragon Age: Inquisition on the way". Polygon. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  22. ↑ Orry, James (September 23, 2015). "Battlefield Hardline to be added to the EA Access vault in October". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  23. ↑ http://www.ea.com/eaaccess/news/madden-nfl-16-is-coming-to-the-vault.html?utm_campaign=eaa-social-us-ic-fb-madden16-vault-announce-fb-prev-site-lnch&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&sourceid=eaa-social-us-ic-fb-madden16-vault-announce-fb-prev-site-lnch&cid=52192&ts=1454007603665&sf43941448=1

External links

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