There’s Got To Be A Catch To EA’s Subscription Service

NowGamer: "Call me cynical, if you will, but I just don’t trust EA.

EA has announced a new subscription service exclusive to Xbox One – termed EA Access – that will, for a monthly or yearly fee, gain you access to EA’s ‘Vault’ of games. But it’s not like EA is in this for the love."

[NatureOfLogic_]

There's no catch. This is just MS and EA planned hook for their DRM plans that were ruined during Xbox One reveal.

[johndoe11211]

Then that would be a catch.

[choujij]

Let us not forget, this is the same corporation voted worst company in America twice. The same EA which is also apparently having to investigate it's own Origin software behavior.

Yeah gamers would be crazy not to accept their services with open arms...

[blitz0623]

The catch is if this turns out to be a successful venture for EA, they will spin this negatively like they did with DLC. It's a fair assumption considering it's EA we're talking about. Not that no other company would do the same, just EA has the highest chance of doing it.

[uptownsoul]

We don't know how good the EA Access service is going to be…I think it will come down to 5 key questions on the games in the EA Vault

1)How new are the games in the Vault

2)How relevant are the games in the Vault (Sports games & FPS become irrelevant as soon as their successors release)

3)How often do they update the Vault

4)How many games do they add per update

AND 5) MOST IMPORTANT - Do games always stay in the Vault** or do they swap games in and out

**ALWAYS read the fine print ( http://www.ea.com/eaaccess/... )!!! Paragraph 2, sentence 2 says "In particular, Vault Titles are subject to change and may be removed, and the online services for certain Vault Titles may be discontinued."

[Dasteru]

@choujij:

"Let us not forget, this is the same corporation voted worst company in America twice."

By gamers, on gaming related sites. EA is not and never has been anywhere near the worst company in America. Anyone who believes otherwise is extremely out of touch with reality.

[tbone567]

30 bucks to play all EA games of the past year. Next year we should get Dragon Age, Titanfall, Madden 15, Fifa 15, UFC, etc all for 30 dollars per year. Exciting times for Xbox One owners and EA Access.

[DOMination-]

How is that the catch?

Nowhere have they stated that you'll have to stay online to play these games once downloaded. Good luck using PSNow offline to all those going on about anti consumerism.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

DRM bait confirmed with EA's access service don't do it everybody or the XB1 DRM will strike again.

[gjruk]

Yet my brother on the other console can also play the games I've subscribed to via the EA Access app.

[Shinox]

That's exactly what i was thinking the whole time
they were already planning under the tables
Titanfall + Exclusive deals + The always-on DRM
It was all planned before the XB1 reveal , its a conspiracy people

[Xsilver]

"There’s Got To Be A Catch To EA’s Subscription Service"

it's EA just wait for it tick toc. http://media-cache-ec0.pini...

[djplonker]

One thing I haven't seen people mentioning is that all the EA games from the list have microtransactions...

Up to thier usual tricks!

[styferion]

IMO right now there's no catch or anything, the service is optional and there's still nothing disadvantageous for non-subscriber. Also for gamers who's into annual sport games this is actually quite a deal.

But honestly I'm worried about the future, maybe when there's some significant number of subscriber they'll start to limit something, maybe some content only available for subscriber, can only play online with subscription or something..

[Gamble20]

I don't understand how this is "quite a deal" for annual sports gamers. You pay $5 a month for 10% off (so you save $6? Wow thanks EA), on a maximum of what? 4 games a year? It's not like they have 12 great sports games per year. And we all know most gamers are only really getting Madden and FIFA that consistently. So you save $12 on two sports games when you spent $30 for the whole service.

Oh, and you get a ten minute demo a few days earlier. It also forces you to buy digital so you can't recoup any money from the sale of the games.

I don't think they are ripping anyone off, it just sort of seems like a sneaky way to get people to pay for DLC.

[PoodlePuncher]

EA will never make less money off of games through a new type of service. We're talking a huge corporation here, they don't pay people a ton of money to come up with new ideas on how to make less money. I'm thinking they will eventually charge more for the service, or the games offered will eventually be older, crappier games. Of course when they first announce it they have to make it sound good. The ol' bait and switch.

[jnemesh]

The catch is that EA has crappy games, DLC, microtransactions, and free-to-play mechanics in retail games.

I have done just fine without a single EA game in my library over the past several years, I am sure I won't be missing much here!

[NYC_Gamer]

It's apart of the games being offered as service that many pubs and etc have been talking about

[GamingSinceThe80s]

The catch is its $60 a year to play a few old games.

[Dudebro90]

$30....

[ShowanW]

Wrong...

I got the service for $30 for the year...
And games will be added...

I don't really care for EA at all... But if all I have to do is fork over $30 for access to a variety of games, then why not...

[mcstorm]

It all depends how you look at it. For some one like my dad who dose not play games online and he only tends to buy old games then this is a great deal as he only has to pay £30 a year and gets games like Fifa, BF ect that he buys later on and dose not need to get gold too.

Also if everyone decides to go down this rout in the end and they offer a service say £50 to 60 a year for all new games included then it could save a lot of money as if I look at the amount of games I buy a year it could save me a lot of money if you work it out right as 1 game digital tends to be £54.

It could be a great idea but only if done right but I don't see media being dropped soon too as having the option of both will be needed for the next few gens I think.

[ThatOneRiggaNob]

The fact that he really thought it was $60 a year and two people agreed with him just shows a major problem with some people nowadays.

[Axios2]

Old games?

So you're playing BF5 now?...No

You're playing FIFA15?...No

Peggle 2 just came out

I see a lot of bitter tears about the OPTIONAL service.

ppl will decide if it is worth it to them personally

@ Koruptor, learn to read because it CLEARLY states that those games are all available now.

@ yo mama, the games are all less than 8 months old, Peggle 2 just a few months, in your blind hatred you are inserting what is by example not the case. What you think will change has zero value in reality, I know that facts hurt you, but if you can't dealwithit, don't bother making up garbage. Try making up garbage for PSN next time, how about "the price will double next year".

@ ziggercat, FIFA and BF4 are still $50

[kurruptor]

You don't get any of those games for free. You only get to trial them for 5 days pre-release.

The games you get for free are old. FIFA 14, Madden 25.

[Yo Mama]

You know they're not going to put the new versions of those games on that service for at least a year once they're released. So I hope you enjoy paying for and playing Madden 25 and Battlefield 4 long after the new versions are released.

It just looks like a better deal than it is now because they had to release some games and they happened be the current ones available. But that will change.

[ziggurcat]

@axios:

and you won't be playing BF5 or fifa 15 via EA access, either. those games won't pop up in their service until they've dropped in retail value. that's what yo mama is saying.

[GamingSinceThe80s]

Oh I thought they said $5 a month.And they did but its $30 for a year up front.So I was half right.lol Well thats not so bad then.

[TimeSkipLuffy]

This is the catch:

Yeah... because now that I got gold I have to pay for another subscription to get old EA titles for gold... and then more publishers are going down the same route...

At the end of the year I pay:

+ Gold membership (for indies + MS games)
+ EA membership
+ UbiSoft membership
+ Campcom membership
+ Take 2 membership

Subscription total a year: over $200
While I just could have one subscription and get games from all publishers... even if it might be slower. But two X1 and two X360 games a month is quite good.

If I had the option to pay $5 a month more for Gold to get 2 extra games that would be a whole different story.

[MooseWI]

Companies will never work together as a whole like that. That's like saying Democrats and Republicans will one day work together. It's all money.

[styferion]

no, but you can't deny the possibility that if this service works out it'll tempt other big publishers to do the same..

[Dudebro90]

You are talking as if you aren't going to buy more games ever again.

You could have 2-3 subscriptions' for $60-$90

Or buy 1.5 new games, or 2-3 $30 games.

The service is for people who dont want the latest and greatest ea titles when they bit the shelves for $60.

Nothing wrong with that.

[TimeSkipLuffy]

actually that is what I'm doing. I play old games while I wait more games to appear on Gold and PS+...

If you see the blogs and forums you'll see many ppl complain about the games... why indies why not retail games. Now you want them to spent more money to get retail games in their subscription?

[XStation]

http://www.vg247.com/2014/0...

[Corpser]

How's that a bad thing if you have the option for these subscriptions? Anytime you don't see the value in any of them, dont subscribe! It's xbl gold and ps+ That have online mp behind the paywall that's the problem, you can't just unsubscribe unless you don't want to play online anymore

[TimeSkipLuffy]

The problem is that now you have to pay more for games that you could have got in your initial subscription. As for PS+ we got several EA titles already in our PS+. Now with this we have to pay extra to get those games...

[Activemessiah]

Only a moron would think there isn't a catch... this IS EA after all.

[PrinterMan]

Also, the fact that it is only on XB1 and not the other platforms their games are also available on does indicate to me that Microsoft is heavily involved. The XB1 to date; Let's see now...Slower sales than expected, Disgusting first reveal, Having to make a Kinectless version, price drop, PR problems up the wozoo. Guaranteed MS has funding & interest in this deal. EA's greed and MS as well really shows here.

I just wish EA would spend more time and effort fixing BF4 netcode/hit detection issues rather than squeezing our pockets with this crap.

[Rob_Ko]

last EA game I bought was probably Mass Effect 3, so it was long time ago, next one is going to be Dragon Age Inquisition, but I don't see a point to spend 5$ to get 6$ discount,
lol 1 dollar profit, wow

[jackanderson1985]

you'd also get early access to the game.... also a profit is a profit

[ThatOneRiggaNob]

not to mention since the discount pays for itself you'd also get access to madden 25, fifa 14, bf4, and peggle 2 while basically saving a dollar. Plus you will also get to play 2 hrs of dragon age five days early just to water your tongue a little bit before you get the actual game. So you get a ton of other stuff on the side of that 1 dollar profit.

[Rob_Ko]

actually I'm not interested in any of these games. trully.

[danowat]

You don't need gold to access the vault games.

[KYU2130]

So far they haven't reveled if live gold is required

[danowat]

They have.

I am in the preview, and you do not need gold to use the service, you only need gold if you intend on using the multiplayer in said games.

[CrowbaitBob]

I can't even imagine a scenario that involves an Xbox One without a Gold subscription. I just can't.

[kurruptor]

I think only about 50% of people subscribe to Gold (similar to PS+).

Not everyone plays online games. Destiny will be the first online game I've played in the PS3/PS4 era. [I do subscribe to PS+ though for the discounts and free games]

[Destiny1080]

it seems like a great deal but I think in the end it will boil down to. if you don't have an ea subscription you cant download this demo

[stuna1]

The only catch I see is removal of my madulla oblongata.

[paulogy]

There's no catch. It's fairly obvious there are only going to be a handful of games in the Vault at any time.

[frostypants]

Yeah, kind of funny how many haven't figured that out.

[TheFallenAngel]

People are again hyping xbone stuff. I don't think this will be a big thing like people makes it seem.

[Dewitt]

Tin foil hats for everyone!

Seriously, 2.50 a month for a service of AAA titles that you could never get at that price. Play all EA games 5 days early and progress carries over. 10% off all digital stuff, no locked in contracts besides what you pay for. Where is this catch?

[Onenyte]

I need to get the licence plate of the turnip truck you fell off.....

Read the article,it makes perfect sense.

[Godmars290]

Its not going to be ALL EA games. It wold be foolish for them to put out everything they've made at once. Also likely to have an always online requirement.

Also, you should have clarified British Pounds or US Dollars.

[Dewitt]

https://twitter.com/EAAcces...

[Godmars290]

So, paid access to betas, which wont be available after the release of said new games, with discounts and older titles to distract from the fact that you're paying for beta access.

So then it becomes about when they put out new, AAA, titles, handing out early access for five days giving 10% for buying the full game.

Yeah, when you only look at it that way, paying $30 a year for limited access to 1-2 new AAA releases within that year - maybe - is not a good deal. It just looks like one because of the older games also available.

Its also going to embed what is the worst trend in the gaming industry: setting a fix release date regardless of a game's condition. EA's going to have to put out "something" on a regular basis, and that's going to effect quality.

[PrinterMan]

AAA titles? If you're talking about access to new titles how do we know they are AAA? Because EA says so? Pshaw.

[Dewitt]

AAA title is defined as a major publisher made title, such as EA.

[jackanderson1985]

the catch is they want people to move digital... the more people going digital the reduced costs on brick and mortar shops... EA doesn't care about gamestop as they know gamestop won't stop shelving their games.... by offering this service they get the full price back 54 less MS's cut only rather than 60 less the cost of physical media (disc, box, "manual", cover sheet etc), gamestop's (or other retailers) cut, MS' cut, shipping and so on.

at 30 a year you're saving money if you buy 6 or more games (break even at 5) not to mention games that will be on the service you might not have other wise considered (peggle 2 for me for example).

yes it's a form of DRM in the sense you need to have an active sub, can't trade them in if you go digital and by the wording games are rotated out of the vault (i see this happening heavily with sports games as there is a yearly iteration with them) and are gone for good

[MegaSackman]

No catch, EA is a great company now, didn't you know?

[Macdaddy71]

If you would read the thread from EA, the catch is you play the beta other word the Demo!!! You have to buy the Full Game to play it...EA not giving us games like PS Now, dang Read it.. I don't know what this guy is talking bout, looks like he did not do his home work before writing this thread...
Do you really think EA going to let you play Madden 15 for $4.99 a month!!! You are crazy, demo/beta yea...
Think bout it EA done tried to charge us for demos!!! This is a way to do it n gamers liking it

[jackanderson1985]

eh it's the full game you get.... the EA Access is in Beta... the games are full games though

[kaileb]

I read it on twitter 2hr only for dragon age and since its a full game it will time the intro.

[jackanderson1985]

@kaileb yeah the new games not in the "vault" are limited to a two hour window but macdaddy was referring to games within the vault and that's what i was referring to

[MasterCornholio]

Its EA so I would be cautious about this. Sony did reject their proposal for some reason.

[theRell]

Sony has PS Now that's still in beta. Allowing direct competition on their system so soon wouldn't even make sense, it takes away potential business.

[MattE]

Lol.. its funny watching people scramble to pass hatred against ea and ms with this service.

At the end of the day £20 a year to play battlefield 4 and Peggle 2 is cheaper than purchasing so.. what now?

Its a cheap service and if they add a few ganes every month or two - bonus.

If you get use of two games anyear along with other benefits then you would be a fool not to subscribe.

XB1 it is then.. :)

[Godmars290]

Its a flat fee with EA having complete say with what's available through it. Newer games will likely be limited to demos/beta/timed, and XBL Gold will probably be needed.

One thing that really does need to be considered is DLC and microtransactions. Are people really going to be stupid enough to essentially rent full games while buying map packs or other little bonuses?

[theRell]

I tried it for $5, cancelled the auto-renewal, downloaded some games I wouldn't buy, played them as much as I wanted. Next month, I'll go for the $30 for the yearly. Early access with discounts, I'm sold. Not even worried.

[WeAreLegion]

No. People just can't read. The "vault" consists of handpicked titles that change every once in awhile. You're not getting their entire lacklog or anything. 10% off new digital titles is handy, if you purchase that many EA titles. I don't, but some do.

[hardeepmeghera]

I for one buy a whole ton of EA games just cause they appeal to me. I'm ashamed to say this but I might actually like EA.

[hardeepmeghera]

Kinda ironic that the two games that I play on a daily basis on my ps4 in which I spent about 120 dollars in getting them now is on sale for the Xbox one for 30, in this access package. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty salty about this.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

As much as we hate DRM its the way of the future. I don't game on PC but I know most people get digital copies, so they obviously cant sell them.
Only difference is, PC gaming is far more affordable.

[SliceOfTruth888]

There is no catch the only catch is that gamers think companies should love them. The fact people are bashing this and saying PSN+ is for gamers not this just shows how silly gamers rationale is. Lets take EA Access for what it is

1)30 bucks per year its 2.50 per month...there would have to be a severe lack of content for this to be not worth it

2)Access to the Vault. The term Vault here is interesting. Vault would mean games that will stay forever and you would have...are you ready for this...ACCESS to the VAULT of EA GAMES. Common sense at its best here. So for the 30 dollars per year you get access to what WILL become tons of games

3) You start off with last years Madden, Fifa, Peggle, Battlefield 4. This is genius because this will actually keep the community's alive and EA can keep making money by you buying DLC. Its win win for both consumer and EA. Yeah you may own these games, just like i do, but i dont own plants vs zombies, UFC, NFS. Once these start to get vaulted...i will be joining asap

4) Early access to EA games and 10% discounts. The value of the games you get in the vault is already worth 30 bucks now for ea games you want to buy at launch you can at a discount? Also get them a week early? Id pay Bungie 10 extra dollars right now to have the full retail copy of destiny. I am sure many sports games fans feel the same way for multiple titles.

[user7402931]

ps plus is for gamers

[lemoncake]

The games are old, a pathetic 10% off the digital price which are already over priced and the biggest catch is that they are the base games without the dlc so you end up buying expensive content for something you don't even own.

[theRell]

So paying $30 to access games (plural) for a year and getting discounted prices on the DLC for said games is bad how? You don't own it, but come on, it's a pretty good deal. It's hard to even deny it.

[ghostface9]

This is a great deal for x1 owners and I will be getting the yearly subscription at 30 dollars hate off to EA for this there moving in the right direction. Now if only ubisoft would do this they have the best library of games out there.

[kaileb]

Can i trade the game that i buy on ea early access?? I know im saving 10% but if i sell the game dont i get more? The beta is 2 hrs only right? If i get the nhl15 10% off why would i get it again for free on there vault program? Should i just wait till the nhl16 to get the nhl15 on the vault??i got nba14 free on ps+ albeit its ps3 but now they might not even offer any ea games in there right??

[Roccetarius]

Subscribing to a service, in order to access games is exactly what they want for the future. They get full control of your playing habits, and consumers are gullible enough to let them.

Oh, and Origin is actually Malware itself, because of the information it leeches from people.

[HonestDragon]

Not necessarily a catch, but more like a ploy. It ensures that gamers who go for digital-only downloads and yearly sports games will chuck up the additional money to get access from EA and (in this case) Microsoft. It keeps those gamers loyal to the digital subscriptions by enticing them with these offers.

[Ripsta7th]

If it fails... The costumers werent ready for it, typical EA

[bneals]

I see. Four complete games in the vault and early access to demos for $30 a year is a rip off, but $5 for 4 hours of one streamed PlayStation Now is a bargain. The only people that don't think this is a good deal are either MS haters, EA haters, or both.

[Ninjamonkey82]

I'll point something out though i think its an ok service. If i wasn't playing all my third party on PS4 i might have given it a look.

The £30 a year price tag isn't getting you the latest games its getting you some discount and acess to the older games when they have run out off use on there season passes.

So if your a Fifa player like me that's not much use to you. I can see where some will still play an have fun but personally i like to be in for the full season.

So the vault seems a bit senseless to me and buying games digitally atm has always been the more expensive route even if the knock 10% off that digital price you shop round ebay etc you will get it cheaper.

I don't know atm my X1 has a good list off games on the way but I'm holding out for the exclusives. My current game list on x1 read as this Forza Dead Rising and Rise that's me.

Was never a fan off titanfall from the PC and X1 beta so I've no use for it but thankfully there's a bright list off good games on the way. But as with PS4 its all in the pipeline and its a waiting game and if anyone thought that was gonna be any different on the first few months off a console lunch they are deluded.

I've 12 games atm on the PS4 and that's not threw favoritism its value for money. If that tide had off turned and it was the X1 was giving better value then i would have invested more heavily there. I still use my x1 regularly. I enjoy the app and the games i have.

[Manubiggs]

I don't think it's all games, my guess is the games become available after a while. The games on the beta are 6 months old at least .... But let's wait and see.