MorePowerOfGreen3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

Options are good. http://www.ea.com/news/ea-a... It's a smart idea for EA and MSFT because EA has so many annual games and is the reason I don't buy sports games.

xHeavYx3576d ago

It's a smart idea yes, but I think that excluding Titanfall is a mistake

OpieWinston3576d ago

Considering Titanfall sells fine on it's own right now. I don't think it's a mistake.

It'll keep selling.

xHeavYx3576d ago

@Opie
Can you please tell me how you know Titanfall is selling well? I'm just asking because I tried to look for sale figures and couldn't find anything

Mr Pumblechook3576d ago

PlayStation 4 is the new generation market leader yet absurdly EA has partnered with Microsoft making this exclusive to Xbox One. This speaks volumes. It highlights the strength of the Peter Moore & Phil Spencer relationship and of the power of Microsoft dollars.

Corpser3576d ago

Titanfall is the best selling xb1 game, makes no sense to include it in "the vault", maybe next year

gaffyh3576d ago

Nice to see EA can see where gaming is going.

Magnes3576d ago

@Mr Pumblechook Peter Moore is a former MS employee. EA makes no secret they prefer MS console.

Eonjay3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

Business wise its very smart. A nice business move for multiple reasons.

+1 for business sense.

Edit.
@Mages
I'm the greatest Sony fan but you are wrong. Personal preference only gets you so far in business. Its about money. Yes EA may have shot itself in the foot with Titanfall, but rest assured, they got paid. Whats good for the consumer is not always whats good for the bottom line.

gaffyh3576d ago

@disagrees - I meant the fact that gaming will probably end up as a subscription service I.e. Netflix,

maniacmayhem3576d ago

Are there any links that say Titanfall isn't selling well?

xHeavYx3576d ago

@Maniac
No, but no one said anything about Titanfall not selling well. I just wanted to know where Opie got the info that Titanfall is selling good

sonarus3576d ago

titanfall sold well dunno if its still selling well but for next gen exclusive it did well sales wise.

honestly dis news makes me a bit jealous. i would have probably delved in if this was for ps4

mhunterjr3576d ago

@mrpumplechook

Do you think that partnerships should only go to market leaders? Its a good thing the world doesn't work that way...

nicksetzer13576d ago

I find it hilarious how people on this site will manage to downplay anything. This is an amazing program and it is exactly what I and many people have been hoping for. Honestly, at 30$ it is even more exciting than I had expected. Seeing EA doing it first is the only surprise. As long as the catalog continues to grow over time, I cannot wait.

BlackTar1873576d ago

So can we all agree that and put it to bed once and for all that EA is not a neutral company. They are so in bed with MS that it just further paints how much alike EA and MS really are in their lies.

It's Absurd to think how many times MS and EA have lied to everyone on multiple occasions. Yes i have a Sbox one and this still stings becasue it shows what great lengths EA will go to play favorites to one console.

Death3576d ago

EA is the company responsible for driving the Dreamcast out of business. They pledged full support to the Playstation and no support for Sega's console. It's ironic that Peter Moore was the head of Sega at the time.

As for EA showing bias, it's also possible the same offer was made to Sony and they turned it down. Without knowing, forming an educated opinion is difficult at best.

OC_MurphysLaw3576d ago

@xHeavYx I think Titanfall is not on the list as its not EA owned IP. Titalfall is merely a parntership that EA is the publisher of the game on.

XBLSkull3576d ago

Not a huge EA fan but renting 4 games for $5 a month is pretty sweet, spin that however you want. Plus another 5 titles on the way this fall.

juggulator3576d ago

EA truly just wants to sell more to more people.Not entirely a bad thing in their eyes. It seems like they may not include newer games though but it would be cool so play something like Dragon age Inquisition for $5 a month.

mixolydian_id3575d ago

Titanfall sold 3 mill (all consoles)

Halo 1-3 sold 10 mill each

Infamous sold 1.5 mill

creatchee3575d ago

@Death

"Without knowing, forming an educated opinion is difficult at best."

*Looks at comments*

I see what you did there :)

tbone5673575d ago

Oh yeah. Incredible value for EA games only on Xbox One? Wow.

dedicatedtogamers3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

Looks like that "unparalleled partnership" between Microsoft and EA continues...

Seems like a neat way to catch up on the EA backlog, but I don't see how this is superior to Gamefly or PS+

I sincerely hope, however, that this isn't the wave of the future. Imagine EA Access, Activision Access, CAPCOM access, etc. and then those companies start adding in exclusive content only available through their Access subscriptions. PS+ already does this with Betas and early releases of certain things.

Insomnia_843575d ago

Oh, look! It's the two worst companies in the U.S getting in bed together AGAIN!

http://www.polygon.com/2014...

http://www.lazygamer.net/ge...

More reasons to STAY AWAY FROM XBOX!

fr0sty3575d ago

...and microsoft continues their transition to "Games as a service". I get the feeling like they want to move on to that exclusively.

That isn't to say Sony isn't flirting with it too. Hell, PS+ and PSNow are both prime examples of games as a service.

Sitdown3575d ago

@ZodTheRipper
I completely agree, I'm glad the ps4 lacks this option, because?.... :-/ But seriously if you are knocking this, then I'm pretty sure you are just as vocal against Sony's approaching service that currently appears to have a higher price tag. Seriously though, unless you got stock in Sony.... Calm down.

SmielmaN3575d ago

EA partnering with MS makes me think of a rich a$$hole paying his prostitute.

4Sh0w3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

Ohh yeah! We are getting closer to that future digital platform with better deals. I don't buy a lot of EA games but for $30 a year and 10% on EA digital games I'm definitely going to be playing more of them. Damm I keep trying to put gaming on the back burner due to other commitments but its so hard when stuff like this happens, I mean its a great deal, I don't want to miss out but where in the hell will I find the time? -It's a nice problem to have I suppose.

Edit>> Oh come on, I don't get the hate, I think something like this has always been in Microsoft original digital plans. I bet if this was a EA/Sony new partnership everyone hating would be screaming from the mountain tops how great sony is for securing such a partnership. It's the same damm thing everytime, micro/exclusive deal is always bad, but Sony having exclusive deals are always treated like they partnered with sony for love. It's business and maybe Microsoft pulled out the check book or EA thinks it fits better on X1 who cares the reason if its successful then no doubt ps4 will get something similar from EA or other 3rd party devs. Its a great deal if you want to still play a lot of games that you don't necessarily want to buy= $5 per month or better $30 a year. It's a win, win situation for X1 owners since if you don't like it you don't have to use the service.

system223575d ago

As of May titanfall had sold 925,000 copies specifically in the US specifically on Xbox one. That doesn't include any other markets like the UK and others where titanfall has remained in the top 10 til this day. It also doesn't take into account digital sales which are on the rise. I think it's safe to say its a good selling game.

BattleAxe3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

Subscriptions, DLC, F2P/P2W Micro-Transactions, Subscriptions, DLC, F2P/P2W Micro-Transactions, ..... welcome to the next gen, where the only things that have evolved (or devolved depending on your point of view) are the payment schemes.....yuk!

MeliMel3575d ago

No its not a mistake. Plus you guys know it will eventually be on the service.

Pogmathoin3575d ago

There is nothing bad about this deal. Zod, obviously not what you have been smoking. You are a negative machine. Heres a suggestion, play a game. You do have a console, right?

PeaSFor3575d ago

EArly Access, So they are just delaying games for a week so they can make people pay more..

EA can barely release a finished product on their normal release schedule and they want me to pay $5 to play it even earlier?LULZ!

k3rn3ll3575d ago

Well there's this is regards to titanfall http://www.vgchartz.com/wee...

Its not exact statement buts it's the closest we got. Id say thats pretty good for 4 months after the release along with having the smaller jnstall base. But it is vgchartz

ABizzel13575d ago

The service has potential, but I seriously doubt EA is willing to do much to make the service a must have for most people.

It seems like a "play the games EA released last year" for $30, since by next year their games generally stop selling all together.

The price is worth it, but the game selection is up in the air. Personally I'm not a fan of sports games so this isn't for me, but if they add more games like Mirror's Edge, Mass Effect, Burnout, Need for Speed, etc... then it could be a really good service.

I don't understand how they can have a $5/mo. and $30/yr service which makes me believe that they're probably going to increase the price of the annual service to $50/yr. if the service takes off and get popular. It'll still be a good deal though.

Great move for MS, but once again it's stupid of EA to align with a single platform.

Christopher3575d ago

If you're only going to include certain games and not all EA games, then what's the point?

This looks to me like a way to get people to pay for things they normally wouldn't buy.

It's smart business, just not for me.

4Sh0w3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

"If you're only going to include certain games and not all EA games, then what's the point?"

Uhmm the point is you get to play more games for less, my guess is EA has done some research and figured out this will be an added revenue vs the used game sales that they get 0 revenue from now. Again, in regards to the consumer they get to play more games, which yes they might have otherwise passed on but instead they pay a fraction of the price. It's sort of like me saying imo Madden isn't worth $60, $50, or $40 to me but hey I'll check it out for $20, $10 or cheaper. So for some it's not that they don't want to play certain games but the price is a barrier as its not worth full price to them, no different than buying from a brick n mortar when the game is cheap, only difference is here they are or will be conveniently in one place( EA games).

Sure their not going to include brand new titles as the free game in the Vault, its possible on a rare occasions but definitely not going to be the norm. That's like asking sony to give away their new releases on ps+ for a small subscription fee. No the idea behind this service from EA is to let you play more games that you passed on AND give benefits like early access to try new games AND let you buy new games 10% off AND even let your progress carry over to the new retail game should you choose to purchase it. So essentially besides the older games you can play select new games for 5 days without purchase.

It's not some "OMG" new feature but imo it's certainly nice to have. I see more of this incoming for both consoles.

Wizard_King3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

All this whole thing says to me is don't buy a console at all. They are just designed to bleed money out of you at every step. Consoles stopped being about the pure games ages ago. Sad really as PS1\2, N64 & earlier were the kings of pure games.

You could save all that wasted cash paying just to play online and on those over priced console games and peripherals and get yourself a kick ass gaming rig. Once you do that never look back.

If this is what a majority of you consider gaming is and is moving to then I want no part in it and prefer to be called a PC enthusiast, over a gamer. No gamers I now like the idea of this.

EA has never made a game worth a yearly sub to access to begin with, why anyone thinks this fee is a good thing is so far beyond me.

EA = Cancer
MS = AIDS

EA + MS = I shudder thinking of the baby

Christopher3574d ago

***Uhmm the point is you get to play more games for less, my guess is EA has done some research and figured out this will be an added revenue vs the used game sales that they get 0 revenue from now.***

And yet by excluding certain games you risk a greater chance that someone won't subscribe to the service.

Myself as an example. If EA is going to have primarily sport games as the option, then I don't care. I don't pay for those even if they cost just $5 nor do I play them. Same with multiplayer FPS.

But, if they threw in some of their single-player focused shooters, actions/adventure, and rpgs... I'd at least consider it.

You see, you add more because the more options there are, the more potential subscribers you will have.

+ Show (36) more repliesLast reply 3574d ago
AngelicIceDiamond3576d ago

I have to say this is very interesting.

Play trials of the new games that's great. Mass Effect 4, Mirrors Edge 2 Battlefront will also take advantage of this hopefully.

That's sounds fantastic.

Especially when they start to get the newer games on there ready to play. Now I'll wait until I get the absolute full details on this. Wait and see how EA will executes this.

testerg353576d ago

Zod,so you're a new moron that pays for online gaming? Is that what you're calling PS4 users? Trying to figure out what you're saying.

Brim3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

Oh look now you guys pay for a online service and $5 games that belong in the mobile marketplace....and yet people cheer for PSNOW and paying $14 for 24 Hours for a game that came out 10 years ago... go away ... I'm not saying this service is great because i need to hear more but why come into a post about Xbox if you do not like it?.. Disappear please.

AngelicIceDiamond3576d ago

@Zod Chill your fanboyism. Seriously get it under control because you sound hell a salty its comical.

That's why I said its a wait and see if they can pull this off.

But it sounds cool I guess expressing some sort of excitement angers you to death. Not my issue so fix yours.

"Morons. But hey, the same target group paid for online gaming and Skype for a whole decade so who's to blame?"

Your attacking Xbox not EA's service.

Who's the true moron here? And a mad and salty one at that?

Get lost I don't got time to put up with your fanboy kiddy tantrums.

christocolus3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

@angelice

I think this is good news. Its good to see MS partnering with more publishers but im wondering why all the usual suspects are here again attacking this article? Its just another xbx one article..so why are they here?..smh

As i was saying there's also a full year subscription which is a better deal than the monthly one. Millions of people buy EA games yearly..this gives xbx owners a chance to try a number of them out before buying. Nice. Go on to the xbx one subreddit forums if you want to get a clearer picture of how it will work. There are some really great discussions going on there& major N is on there now.

Death3576d ago

Zod,

You are getting indies and older games on Plus too. Why pretend EA's service is different than Sony's? You can't praise one and diss the other if you want anyone to take you seriously.

Bigpappy3576d ago

Because I buy my games digitally, I have no choice but to pay that $30 for the year and getting 10% of Digital downloads. Lets hope M$ drops the price of 1st party digital by 10% for Gold subscribers as well.

Dread3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

@Zod

So xbox live users are morons, but i guess the sony fans who now have to pay to play online are fine. Lets not call them morons because I bet u have some sort of argument to distinguish them, as I am sure ur not a hypocrite.

Edit: I take that back, u are a hypocrite.

DLConspiracy3576d ago

@Zod

You seem to be getting upset and your posts are starting to show it more and more lately. Calling people morons in the comments section is kind of uncalled for. I can almost guarantee your reaction would be completely different if this was for PS4.

mixolydian_id3575d ago

So.... If you normally buy one EA game per year at 30£...

You can get a subscription that gives you all their digital games for free?

You can see why xbox was pushing the drm "fiasco".

Nda killed that idea... But this could be amazing if it's exactly what seems to be

k3rn3ll3575d ago

Why wouldnt you be able to play fifa 15 next fall when 16 comes out? 14 is one of the games included. People want to bash EA for annualizing sports games but here they are offering them all for $30 a year but a year after release. The whole argument against EA sports titles annualized is people dont feel the new ones are worth paying $60 for. So EA answers with "ok if you feel that way pay $30 a year and play them all after a year." So why are the some haters before hating now? They just catered to you all. If someone really does feel that way then you should have no problem paying $30 for all those titles. Unless of course all of em were just hating to hate. But that would never happen right?

How did you get so many bubbles insulting people and making comments like this? I for one buy Tiger, FIFA, and Madden every year. And I love doing so cuz I feel I get my moneys worth. With 10% off im saving $18 a year on those titles alone. Not to mention games like Titanfall, Battlefield, Mass Effect, Stars Wars, Dragon Age and other no yearly games sprinkled in tgere and my subscription will pay for itself. Oh and 10% off DLC too? Ye a get out of here man cuz your comments hold no weight here. Can't beleive im saying this but GG EA! And GG MS as well! Haters gon' hate

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3575d ago
ramiuk13576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

starts at $4.99 so its gonna be more as they havent detailed packages.
but even if it is little more its a decent deal.
there is way to many things going off with MS and EA,im suspicious now asfter this reveal.

i dont see why EA would be willing to lose so much money,the sub is half the price of 1 game.

parkesy783576d ago

Because when it officially launches it will be all old games not new releases

mrpsychoticstalker3575d ago

I agree this is a huge win for Microsoft, this is the future of video games. I can't wait for this to come out. It's a day one for me. Fifa 15..... 5 days before it comes out. That sounds great!

Mystogan3576d ago

This is a huge win for Xbox.

AngelicIceDiamond3576d ago

If EA executes this properly then yes I can agree this will be a huge win for X1 owners no doubt.

Angerfist3576d ago

People can disagree all they want but EA is still the 3rd Party Publisher with the most popular franchises and IF they add Games in a regular manner to the Vault this will be a hit.

But if this is just a paid Demo section where can play the games for 2 Days and then have to buy them it stinks. If not count me in.

turdburgler10803575d ago

This is what happens when Sony gets so full of themselves they start taking swipes at EA during E3. What did you think was going to happen Sony? No one likes being made fun especially not a massive publishing company.

DigitalRaptor3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

@ turdburgler

Ah right, forgive me. EA isn't going to be publishing their games on the console that makes them more money (Sony), because of spite. They have such bitterness towards Sony that they made this deal to spite them... /s

That is why Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare is coming to PS4 next month, right? Seriously… this sounds like nothing more than a losing brand to attempt to gain ground and marketshare by making a deal with the company that is voted as the worst company in America, right next to them. It baffles me how EA could continue to be so stupid to accept an offer from the console that is less supported than PS4...

And that is why my theory is this…

Titanfall exclusivity is up (we all knew it was coming anyway)… but MS paid a lot of money for its development and marketing, so this is the deal they made so that Titanfall can come to PS4, and Xbowners get decent deals on old games in return. Will be interesting if my theory is correct.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3575d ago
BattleTorn3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

Hahahahaha "options are good"

That is definitely the best spin one can put on being provided new avenues to give a company more of your money.

Death3576d ago

Live, PSNow, PS+, and EA"s Vault are all avenues to spend money. Vault subscribers won't necessarily give more, this may be what they do instead of buying all new releases. B4 is $60, for half that you can subscribe to Vault for a year and still have access to it. The value for Plus is the same, if you aren't getting your subscription fee's worth of games to play you are most likely doing something wrong.

3576d ago
Athonline3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

@Death:

The EA's Vault is $30 (£20) per year. Half the price of the B4. Plus you get discounts on DLCs.

Imo the price is right, as long as they put some context.

I'll get it, £20 is simply one less fancy burger next time I 'm in London or I'll simply sell my FIFA 14 disc. I just hope E.A will support this properly and add titles

harrisk9543575d ago

The idea seems really good, but read the TOS and see the "fine print":

http://www.ea.com/eaaccess/...

"As part of the EA Access Services, members with an active subscription are offered (1) the ability to play a limited trial of certain EA Content 5 days prior to the date that EA Content is otherwise available on the Xbox Marketplace (“Play First”), (2) discounts on EA Content offered through the Xbox Marketplace (“Discounts”); and (3) access to a limited library of certain EA Content (“Vault Title(s)”) for unlimited online play (“Vault Access”) for the duration of their availability in the Vault. Limitations and exclusions may apply. For upcoming EA Content eligible for Play First and Discounts, and for current EA Content available in the Vault, and current details on other membership benefits, see http://www.ea.com/eaaccess. Certain EA Content may be excluded from Play First, the Vault, and/or Discounts; see http://www.ea.com/eaaccess for details on such exclusions as they become available."
_____________________

Basically, it for access to a "limited library of certain EA titles" (Understood that they will likely not give out new games)

"for unlimited ONLINE PLAY" (no single player included at this point)

for the "duration of their availability in the vault." (the title is only playable while available in the vault. Title gets removed from the vault, it is no longer playable)

Also, a "limited trial of certain EA titles 5 days before release on XBox Marketplace"... (So, full access or partial access?)

"Limitations and Exclusions apply" (Obviously not all games available and can be pulled at any time from the vault)

The 10% off thing sounds good on new games.

But, need to see what games are available and if it is going to be "online play" only as it states in the TOS, then I am not so sure how good a deal it is.

Gh05t3575d ago

"Understood that they will likely not give out new games"

They say Dragon Age inquisition... is that not new enough? I would say its mostly for EA owned games and not all EA published games will be available. Only time will tell.

"no single player included at this point"

Or the unlimited online refers to the fact you cant get EA Access without being connected online. i.e. you cant watch digital netflix movies without being online, but you get unlimited online movies that are offered.

"the title is only playable while available in the vault. Title gets removed from the vault, it is no longer playable"

Why waste server resources if no one is playing a game. Not to mention if they do have content where they are just the publishers than there would be some licensing agreements which would have an end date.

This TOS seems extremely standard with nothing that pops out at me that isn't in any TOS from any service like this.

lelo3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

I suspect EA are pretty pissed at Sony for not supporting the online DRM that was originally planed for the X1. Microsoft was already on board, but Sony screwed their plans by going the other way. I've seen quite a lot of support lately from EA to the X1... Titanfall, FIFA exclusive deals, time exclusive games, etc... and now this EA Access subscription service.

EA don't seem happy with Sony.

Ra30303575d ago

@lelo
Is anyone happy with EA. When was the last time EA did a single thing right? I'm putting my money on the screwing this up as well. On another note why would anyone support this I thought pretty much everyone hated EA or did the last I heard. Lol ....funny thing is with EA and this program the more successful this is the more it will cost and or the less you'll get...bank on that because it's the EA way.

LOL_WUT3575d ago

True and with this it also means they'll probably won't be any EA games for PS NOW ;)

JackBNimble3575d ago

Yes... what ever happened to the EVIL EMPIRE of EA?

Kidmyst3575d ago

This isn't a bad deal, might move some Xbone consoles and it'll be interesting how it does. But the last time I checked, EA has been the worst company or second worst for the last several years and doesn't treat gamers very well even for what they pay for, IE: Battlefield 3 bugs, Spore bugs, Sim City Bugs, and when gamers complain their accounts are suspended. EA was a big backer of the DRM and no rental policies too.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3575d ago
StrangerX3575d ago

WOOOHOOO! very good idea for those that want to just play temporarily the sports games that come every single year and wont cost them that much. I.E no middle men!

FanboyKilla3575d ago

i love it!!! hearing you fanboys cry and whine. its ok when sony and bungie partner up. but when ms and ea do it they're the devil. lmfao if you weren't a fanboy you wouldnt be missing out. if they're selling it, you can buy it you know? i loooove this idea. good work ms. they're looking like chickens with their heads cut off. they were no where near ready for whats bout to go down. xbox one now $399.

jkendrick3575d ago

@fanboykilla

Boy I guess that deal with Bungie is gonna stop you from playing Destiny. /s

Playstation owners, EA wanted the drM and since it blew up in Microsoft face, they are determined to take it out on us PS gamers. From this point on if I am interested in a EA game I will wait till its in the bargain bin.

cee7733575d ago

EA are pretty much further devaluing its games its good for gamers and all but why buy any EA game at this point if it could just as well be free someday I hope it works out for them but I can see A Ps+ or Games with gold effect happening on A much larger level with all EA games. By the time EA's fixed all the bugs in their games it will be free lol (looks @ battlefield 4).

If you own an xbox one why buy EA games at this point besides the sports titles This could bite EA in the ass .

50/50

1Victor3575d ago

Ok this worries me "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.👈👈
To me it looks like you're paying for demos and not the full games correct me if I'm wrong or explain it clearer than the press release please

Couldntfindasn3575d ago

It sounds to me like a full game trial(not a demo)playable up to the date of release. Trials and Demos are two different services. Trial is usually a full game on a limited time frame like a week or a certain number of hours. A Demo is a limited version of the game, usually playable over and over again. EA has done stuff like this in the past with their other services i believe.

Blaze9293575d ago

Niiiice - at $30 a year this is a STEAL. Regardless of how you view it otherwise.

Good move Microsoft, things like this make Xbox One a very nice console to own :)

Sayai jin3575d ago

I am in the Xbox Early Preview Update Beta Team. I received a message from MS with my code to download the EA Access App. It was a pretty simple process. Memberships run from $4.99 monthly or $29.99 yearly. I chose the yearly, because my sons play a lot of EA games. They already downloaded Madden and FIFAA for free. So the subscription already paid off for us got a $100 to $120 worth of games already. Seems like a advantageous deal so far.

Lennoxb633575d ago

I see all these programs like GWG, PS plus, and now EA Access, as ways to get people to constantly buy the game's DLC. Instead of paying the initial $60 then buying a season pass or DLC separate. So I think $5/month or $30/year is a steal.

smt_Nocturne3575d ago

Anyone remember this ?
http://n4g.com/news/1543320...

did they said you will play a full games for 5$ per month ?
or it is just a bigger demons ?

mmcglasson3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

This is a great feature for a lot of people. However, I sure do hope this, Netflix, and many other services do not start the business of streaming media (games, music, movies, etc) only. I'm a huge fan of owning my content. I don't want to have to pay monthly subscriptions to continue paying for things I could have bought.

I prefer physical but digital hasn't been so bad. Digital has a lot of conveniences. What I worry about digital is what happens the publisher of that digital media decides to pull it from their servers and you can no longer download it/play it. That is one reason why I will always prefer to own physical media over digital. However, if I am guaranteed to have the ability to download games I've bought digitally for life... then that's great. I've bought many games off of PSN but these are games I'm willing to lose if they are ever no longer available. Games I still continue to buy physically are games I wouldn't ever want the chance of not being able to play again.

I have also received a lot of games from PSN for free. However, I understand they are not mine and I won't be able to play them if I am no longer a subscriber. Which is pretty much what EA has brought out. I have nothing against this because this would allow me to play the EA games I didn't by the year they came out... For a low price. However, games new versions of Madden, FIFA, Battlefield, etc likely won't be available to rent the year they that they release. You will be able to try them out for a few hours but you will still have to buy the game at the store for full price or digitally with a 10% discount. Then in "x" months the games should be available for rent through this service.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing this service. I think it will be great for gamers that aren't big into collecting their games. All my negativity is due to ownership vs service based subscriptions. I don't want the way of digital media to be subscription based like Pandora, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am a subscriber of Netflix and I use it all the time. It allows me to watch movies I normally wouldn't watch. PSN has allowed me to play games that I normally wouldn't have bought for the past 2-3 years (I subscribed to PSN the day it was released). Now XBL has added Games for Gold and now EA is stepping into this business practice. One thing I hate about PSN/XBL is that they force me to subscribe (used to just be XBL) to pay a game online that I already purchased. This service is great for Sony and MS from a business standpoint but it is a little disappointing for consumers that already payed $60 for a brand new game. It also brings benefits to the consumers as well and that is based off the profits they receive from this service. They can use these profits to bring better servers, better stability, new features, etc. The reason why I'm not against the PS+ is because it wasn't a requirement to play online before and it provided games with discounts, tons of free games, etc. It still provides me with tons of free games and discounts but now no matter what... I have to be a subscriber to play online.

So in conclusion this new service is great for anyone that hasn't purchased any EA game this year... this will be an amazing deal for them (you can't beat it to be honest). $30 a year is nothing to pay for hours of entertainment. To be honest, even if it was $50 a year, it would still be a great deal. MS and EA have a nice partnership and this will be great for a lot of Xbox 1 owners.

XiSasukeUchiha3575d ago

@MPOG

Sigh, man the two "worst" game companies are collide confirmation of DRM?

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 3574d ago
DeforMAKulizer3576d ago

Nice, so a PS+ like thing on Xbox One for EA Games.

Wonder if Sony will work to get it to there console.

Nitrowolf23576d ago

I dont think ea would miss the chance if it hits on X1.

BlackTar1873576d ago

EA and MS are sharing beds together. The lie they say about being neutral is just that a lie.

mixolydian_id3575d ago

Exclusivity deal?

Sony wanting to push PSnow?

Ideal world, bring it over!...but it's controversial to their own plans to lift subscription money from their customers pockets.

christian hour3576d ago

I think Sony would be more interested in getting EA games on to their streaming game service PSNow, but that would NEVER happen. I dont buy much EA games but for people like my bro who get the yearly sports titles this is great news, and he was still on the fence as to whether he should get a PS4 or XB1 so this will definitely help him decide, I'll go tell him the good news!

Godmars2903576d ago

That's likely what this is: a move against PSNow. If other companies followsuit, create their own services whether they be multi or XB1 exclusive, its only going to hurt Sony if they catch on.

Death3576d ago

If I were EA or Ubi and seen a chance to stream my games while eliminating retailers and platform royalties I would jump at it. PSNow if it works can kill the bulk of Playstations third party support if it takes off. EA has talked about entering the console market for decades. Streaming may be the solution they have been looking for.

rainslacker3575d ago

Sony would have to pay EA to have games on their streaming service. No publisher is likely to give out a big part of their library for free. Netflix has to pay publishers for their free streaming content. If Sony and EA come to a deal where it benefits them both, then you will see EA games on PSNow. Revenue is revenue regardless of how it's obtained, and I wouldn't put it past EA to put this service on PS4 if it's successful on X1.

nunley333575d ago

This isn't a move against PSNow i believe, it serves a different purpose than this would. I see this much more as a strike at gamestop, PSNow also.

nunley333575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

@rainslacker EA could very well put some games on PSNow later if this MS deal doesn't prevent it. If any titles goes into the service it's wouldn't be free, there would be a rental fee. There are some free titles in it now but most aren't and it would be up to them. EA has offered several games to PlayStation Plus in the past, EA was paid for those also just like the NOW games would be. This isn't like NETFLIX and there's only a per game charge right now, one may come later and the beta has been doing well.

mmcglasson3575d ago

This EA thing isn't a streaming service. It's a subscription based rental system. You download the game, you play the game, you pay the monthly costs. So basically it's a copy of PS+ but for only EA games.

Netflix and PSNow are streaming services. This EA service is like Netflix and PSNOw in the fact that you are renting the game instead of owning the game.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3575d ago
jackanderson19853576d ago

not really like a PS+ thing, you download the titles so no streaming, it's sub based not a per title base...

DeforMAKulizer3576d ago

I didnt say PS Now.

Everyone is comparing it to Netflix or PS Now, when in fact it is PS+.

Getting free games every now and then, and discounts on upcoming games.

Godmars2903576d ago

"I didnt say PS Now."

Its still going to be measured against PSnow. Likely going to effect XBL, as that subscription service tries to measure/catch up to PS+.

Death3576d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

Live and Plus have been an apples and oranges comparison since Plus was released. In the past we subscribed to Plus for the "free" games. Live has been a matchmaking service since the 90's. With the PS4 Sony decided to make Plus a requirement to play online. Microsoft recently started giving out free games to existing subscribers. Both services are evolving into similar match making/rental services over time. Let's not pretend only one is "catching up".

Godmars2903575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

@Death:
No, PSN and XBL have been at odds. One gave you unrestricted access to apps, the other required an additional paid subscription for things like Netflix. that was a constant argument.

When PS+ showed up, the Xbox camp tried to compare it to XBL Gold, made it into a joke, but it kept improving as a discount and leasing service while XBL not only stayed the same but increased it's rate. Eventually it had to start offering games as well.

Now what EA is doing is putting up and redrawing fences. Will likely effect any plans Sony had for including their titles in either PS+ or PSNow.

Also, in regards to your 2.2.2 comment, how is this going to cut down on EA's console licensing? They're still going to be offering their titles on the PS3/PS4, and are probably giving MS a cut of subscription fees.

Darkstares3575d ago

Games on Gold differed in the fact Xbox owners kept those games regardless of continuing the service. I might be mistaken but I think that has changed on the XB1 to be more like PS+.

This is very interesting because now that the XB1 will be offering pre-purchasing like the PS4 does XBox owners will be able to play day one and get a 10% discount for digital purchases. That pays for itself on the monthly option.

Where things get tricky is access to older titles. EA is notorious for pulling server support after the game gets old. So I doubt we will see a huge catalog of games in a few years.

Either way it's an interesting idea but whatever happened to EA's own Origin service? What will be even more interesting is if EA games perform better still on the PS4.

jackanderson19853575d ago

ah yeah my bad misread it completely ignore my comment so

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3575d ago
truefan13576d ago

Wow for that price I'm in. If they give me Madden 15 the deal will already be paid for. Add in Dragon Age and Fifa 15 and it's just theft.

tgunzz3576d ago

I didn't see this coming... This could be interesting...

ZodTheRipper3576d ago ShowReplies(3)
styferion3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

you seriously think EA will give you brand new games for free in this subscription? this is EA we're talking about you know..

The best we'll get are small discounts or trials for new games. I'm pretty sure the one they'll give for free are old games.

jkendrick3575d ago Show
4Sh0w3575d ago

Who said EA is great? Offering a good deal and being great are 2 different things. All I see is some X1 owners appreciating a new service/partnership that they think will benefit them in some kind of way.

lol, by you logic all ps owners think Activision is great because as the publisher of Destiny they are in affect partnered with Sony for exclusive content. Sure this deal with EA/micro is of a higher magnitude but I remember when there were plenty of calls for not supporting Bobby Kotick/Activision yet here in 2014 a Activision/Bungie/Sony deal is praised, as it should be, see gamers soap box rant alot but in the end they just buy what's good for them.

AndrewLB3574d ago

jkendrick- And it's been proven over and over that Sony had the EXACT SAME DRM planned for the PS4. They pulled the plug when they saw Microsoft go public with their plans and got thrashed by the press and gamers for it. Remember that Day 1 patch on your PS4?? Part of that update removed the DRM.

I would suggest that you stop repeating the DRM lie because it only makes your other more valid arguments look like BS as well.

iistuii3576d ago

You'll get Fifa 15 Madden 15 etc for a five day trial. Then you gotta buy them. But you will get all the back catalogue games in the fee. So in effect yeah you will get Madden 15, but towards the end of next year just before Madden 16...

3576d ago
jkendrick3575d ago

@4show

Do you think its a great deal or its just because its exclusive? i think it has more to do with it being on xbox and not playstation than it being good. This is going to turn in to something gamers will regret, we are talking about EA here.

BattleTorn3576d ago

You really think EA is gonna give Dragon Age away NEW????

No wonder your comments are so often in left field.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3574d ago
3576d ago Replies(3)
Dudebro903576d ago

This could be the start of the future of gaming. Subscriptions could rule everything.

Volkama3576d ago (Edited 3576d ago )

It's finally happening! And with publisher-specific packages, as per the prophecy (aka my guess work)

Edit: Oh. Doesn't include new releases. Well... it's a start. Bump up the price and include the new stuff please.

Chevalier3576d ago

Why would EA include their new hot products? When they can sell you the game for $60, you think letting you play them for cheap benefits them?! That's an unreasonable profit model that will lower profits.

SuperBlur3576d ago

this is really nothing new , they had ea sports season ticket and retired the service , now they're back with this in hope of bringing more people by allowing them to play old games

KwietStorm_BLM3576d ago

Yea I know. And everyone is getting all happy, with EA nonetheless. We're living in the apocalypse and don't even care.

Magnes3576d ago

I wonder why EA and Microsoft don't merge already and get it over with.

oSHINSAo3576d ago

Just not suscribe in the same month, because in a year, you could regret XD

Show all comments (373)
300°

Report: Sexual Misconduct Investigation Conducted at EA, Suspects Named and What They Did Revealed

EA senior staff has been investigated for sexual misconduct involving female coworkers, and these said people have been named publicly.

isarai1d 8h ago

Aye just call Phil, i mean he somehow made Bobby Kotick's scandal disappear and gave him a few million dollar high five on the way out.

Cacabunga23h ago

I wonder if it will be censored with some in game ads.

XiNatsuDragnel1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

EA about to go down like Activision and then Phil saves the day saying.this is good for the industry and consolidation will help create competition. /s.

ravens521d 3h ago

What's up with all these horny creeps. You gon be horny, fine. Just not at work take care of that shit before you go in. Rub one out if you have to. Don't be a creep at all. ESPECIALLY at work. But don't be one AT ALL.

Extermin8or3_22h ago

I mean part of the issue is that things transpired outside of work....

KwietStorm_BLM22h ago

You think deviants care where they are? Work sometimes makes it an even better situation for them because they can abuse their power.

mudakoshaka6h ago

Nerds think they are Gods when they are making video games.

NotoriousWhiz1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

"it seems that according to EA, given the events transpired outside of work between two adults, and the fact that once investigation has started that the alleged perpetrators didn’t do it again, the investigation is considered closed. [...] The victim still has to work with the people that harassed her."

Yep, EA is disgusting.

Extermin8or3_22h ago

I mean the fact stuff happened outside of work puts EA in quite a difficult position legally. These women don't seem to have reported the matter to the police which kinda ties EA's hands on what they can do. If they don't file reports of the crimes then yeah from EA's perspective it is stuff that happened outside of work. The only exception is the guy that apparently referenced things in the slack channel for work, spending on what he said proving it may be very hard and he may well be able to get away with plausible deniability. I don't like EA and I think these people need to be dismissed but without any legal action being taken, EA can't really do much without risk of being sued themselves for unfair dismissal etc.

Show all comments (16)
290°

More Job Losses At Xbox, “There’s More To Come”: Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott in a recent episode commented on the on-going Microsoft fiasco hinting at more job losses and that "there's more to come".

Read Full Story >>
spieltimes.com
Sonic18811d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

There won't be no more acquiring game publishers from Microsoft in the future . Xbox has to pay Microsoft back. It might take two decades to do that.

sagapo1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

I don’t understand what you’re saying. Xbox IS microsoft so there’s no “paying back “.
And MS gross profit in 2023 was over 140 billion dollars so forget your 2 decades.

Unless you mean the money MS invested in Xbox (acquisitions included) and the time it will take for xbox as a brand to gain that money back on it’s own, then yeah, that could take a while.

romulus231d 6h ago

The better term to use might be return on investment, xbox is simply a division of Microsoft one that MS can easily do away with if profit margins are not met. So in that regard he's right, if xbox isn't showing the expected return on investment the higher ups are expecting than it's unlikely Microsoft will acquire any other studios any time soon, especially if they are spending billions buying developers just to shut them down in the end.

MrBaskerville23h ago(Edited 23h ago)

Xbox is a division that they discussed shutting down but doubled down on after Gamepass was pitched.

It needs to make money at some point. Big money.

rokos20h ago

According to Statista the net income of Microsoft is about $72.4 billion dollars which is a bit lower than last year profit. That is almost as much as Activision's acquisition but I assume that would be a one off since it costs so much plus I see how their focus has been shifted to AI, thus any major future investments will probably be in that area.

Markusb3320h ago

i think you are really missing the point

VariantAEC10h ago

@romulus23
That is not why MS buys studios. They might continue to buy because it's about taking that sweet sweet IP out of the corporate husks of their acquisitions.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10h ago
SonyStyled1d 12h ago

“There won't be no more acquiring game publishers from Microsoft in the future”

No bro, there do be is for Microsoft not acquiring for what is now if not what it be is 😂

1d 10h ago Replies(2)
ChasterMies1d ago

Xbox isn’t a separate company from Microsoft. It’s all Microsoft.

Abear2118h ago(Edited 18h ago)

Let’s be real, this is the media spinning all the acquisitions and liquidations of said developers and spinning it to make M$ the villain.

This was bound to happen, a bigger slice of pie and cut costs, when the games come they stand to make more and that’s their agenda—it was the writing on the wall when the sales went through and legally all those who approved the sale and mergers knew this would happen.

Snowflakes need to realize business is ugly and you can cry all you want but this is how capitalism works. And it works.

That said, M$ needs to steer the narrative and grab hold of all this, make their plans known, hype the hell out of all those dead IP’s they plan to revive, and be honest about the timeline. This is likely to involve mobile and IP on other consoles, and most people realize that.

The problem is this company is incapable of being transparent and seems to often want to dissuade and confuse is customer base. The lack of E3 has hurt Microsoft and I don’t think they know how to properly or effectively market their brand anymore.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 10h ago
jwillj2k41d 15h ago

There really needs to be a class action lawsuit here. You buy these companies just to put people out of jobs. And it’s not like something happened to derail their plans this WAS the plan. Microsoft has no business in this space at all.

franwex1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

Microsoft has been doing this for years. They simply want the IPs. Look at Nokia. Look at Skype. This time it simply expanded to games. Gaming is not as important to Microsoft’s executives as it was to the founders too. Bill Gates was willing to sell the og Xbox at a loss. Steve Balmer approved the red ring of death fiasco. This CEO isn’t really a gamer.

-Foxtrot1d 14h ago

Maybe it's time though to put a stop to it and use a big giant like Microsoft as a huge example to the rest of these big companies.

There has to be a line drawn somewhere.

People like the FTC and the like went against Microsoft yet their Actvision deal was still allowed to go through yet look what's happened...it's not even Acitivisions studios aswell, it's Bethesdas.

VariantAEC10h ago

Years?

Try several decades, and in the gaming space 2.3 decades.

Jon6158619h ago

You do realize this happens in ALL industries? Or are you just saying this because it is Microsoft? In any case I feel for those that are being let go but the trch industry is suffering right now.

jwillj2k414h ago(Edited 14h ago)

This absolutely does NOT happen all the time. Let me know the last time 1 company with a terrible product track record spent 100 billion onto acquire MULTIPLE successful companies in under a year only to shut them down and stop making their products regardless of how successful they were. Not merge them, completely shut them down.

And you can’t use Microsoft in your example.

Notellin15h ago(Edited 15h ago)

Class action lawsuit? The law is on their side and protects them at all costs. There are no rules to protect the people at the bottom.

jwillj2k414h ago

Not true when it comes to mass layoff do your research.

RNTody1d 15h ago

Ninja Theory, Perfect Dark, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Wolfenstein 3, Dishonored, Prey, Doom, Quake... something tells me that bad things are going to happen to these entities under Microsoft.

MrDead1d 4h ago

ID software, the makers of Doom and Wolfenstein that have been with us since 1991 could be gone and MS will keep the IPs.

I hope some of these studios can buy their freedom from MS otherwise this is going to be even more devastating for the industry and gamers.

Yui_Suzumiya1d 2h ago (Edited 1d 2h ago )

That's exactly what I'm worried about. I've been a fan of id since Wolfenstein 3D and I'm honestly afraid.

lodossrage22h ago

Toys for Bob saw the writing on the wall and bought themselves out.

Wouldn't be the first time a company did that under MS either. Bungie and Twisted Pixel did the same. Considering what just happened, I can see some other devs trying to buy themselves out too.

anast1d 14h ago

Good thing the bosses of all those small studios made their money.

glenn19791d 13h ago

they cant do it right now they will get burned

XiNatsuDragnel1d 5h ago

Phil and his team need to be gone

lodossrage22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

Won't make a difference.

The whole structure needs to be overhauled. Anyone that replaces Phil will be no different than him, Mattrick, or anyone else.

Until the company changes how they go about business, nothing will change

glenn197919h ago

I just don't have any idea what they would do , they have done sooo much damage on their xbox brand, they have a show at July or June I think, but will it even matter even they show amazing games, idkn

lodossrage22h ago

True,

But they may as well get it over with. Whether it happens now or later, the burning is going to hit the same.

Reality is the ONE move that can alleviate a lot of this is the one move they can't make. Remove day 1 from gamepass.

Show all comments (68)
90°

Microsoft Opening Xbox Mobile Game Store in July

The Xbox brand is expanding, as an Xbox mobile game store is opening this coming July where Microsoft will brings its "first-party portfolio."

Jin_Sakai3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

“Bond adds that they will start on the web”

This will go nowhere.

Nice knowing you Xbox. This is what happens when the house never gets cleaned.

MrDead3d ago

The only this MS is expanding is the amount of feculence it sprays on everyone who just want to enjoy gaming and make games.

The best thing MS can do for the gaming industry is leave and never return.

XiNatsuDragnel3d ago

Good luck with this even it might not succeed.

Show all comments (7)