Is It Time to Introduce EA Access on PS4?

Push Square: "Microsoft's claiming that Xbox One owners will be able to play Star Wars: Battlefront first. While the headline that's doing the rounds may cause heart attacks among PlayStation 4 owners – the Redmond firm's no stranger to timed exclusives, after all – the situation isn't as bleak as it may initially seem. Indeed, the organisation's referring to EA Access – the subscription service that grants members to a PlayStation Plus-esque locker of free software, as well as various perks, such as pre-release trials."

[nX]

I'm not paying money to play a few days early for a limited amount of time... and I'm certainly not giving EA more money than necessary after what they pulled with Battlefield.

[Hands Up For Games]

NHL 15 is on sale today through DwG, its £27.50. EA Access is £20 for the year.

If I add Peggle 2, Madden 15, NBA 15, UFC, Plants v Zombies, NFS, BF4 and FIFA 14 then I would say that £20 is the best bargain you can pick up for any console.

As a bonus, you get 10% off of any EA games DLC and also early access - just like Battlefront will have and games like Hardline and Dragon Age have had already.

Really interested to see your response as to why you dont see the value in EA Access.

[uth11]

for me, I've only bought one EA game for my PS4, so I don't see value in paying them month after month for discounts on that rare EA title that I'll buy. Plus I avoid subscription services as much as possible in general

[marlinfan10]

@uth

Well then lucky for you, it's optional. A lot of people do buy multiple EA gsmes a year though and would like the option to subscribe.

Not to mention the fact that even if you only want one or two games a year from them, you can subscribe for the month they release for $5 and get $6 off the game + early access to try it out. Then you'll have all those extra games for a month on top of it

[t-hall785]

@uth11 if you got 1 ea game, then youve paid for a year of EA access. With 30 bucks to spare.

[Baka-akaB]

Sure there are definitively a few good deal ... but you gotta admit that the bulk of your list is a bunch of sports games (and yearly battlefield stuff ) , that quickly get outdated , devaluated , and discounted anyway .

Like said above , regardless of the platform , i'm not paying a service to gain access to demos , betas , and a meager few days of early access ... not on top of a mandatory XBL , PSN , and a bunch of already extraneous and optional , but popular and hard to live without stuff like Netflix

[BattleTorn]

@marlinfan10
"Well then lucky for you, it's optional."

What the f_ck does luck have to do with a service having optional-subcription?
It'd rightly be quite unfortunate if it wasn't...
I dread the day that optional-subcriptions are graces of LUCK!
FMR

[Death]

@Battletorn,

PS+ is a similar service and it is not optional if you want to play online. Depending on when you jumped on the Gold bandwagon, the same can be said with it too.

Each of us perceive value differently. If you are an EA fan, EA Access is hard to beat.

[SonyWarrior]

id rather sony dont clutter up the psn store with a bunch of riff raff like ea access. i mean i dont want psn store looking like nintendo store or steam with all that indie work in progress trash which makes it hard to browse for some thing good. I applaud sony for only allowing quality applications on there service.

[Death]

@SonyWarrior,

Are you honestly saying having an additional sub-category on the left side of your screen while in the store would be too much clutter? Of the 3375 items under GAMES on the Playstation Store, which of these EA games aren't listed? These "quality" applications are already listed, just not for the savings EA Access allows. In short, the content is still there, just at a much higher price.

Why again is the choice of EA Access a bad thing? I understand that you might not personally find the value in it, but not for the reasons you have listed. What I don't understand is anyone that is selfish enough to say others that may find value shouldn't have a choice.

[donthate]

I see massive praise from Xbox One owners for gettin EA Access. I think having the option is great and the value will just keep increasing.

Unlike PS+ or Xbox Live Gold, you immediately get access to a large library of games that are increasing for a low $30 annual fee.

But hey, it seems the haters here of that option deservedly don't get that option thankfully to their console overlord, Sony!

The excuses are pathetic, and it is the same name you see over and over that constantly protect their overlord.

[rainslacker]

So how did this become a console thing? Would it matter if it was available on PS4? Sure, of course. The option should be there. I wouldn't use it personally as I don't buy digital, and while I do like the Vault, I get more games through PS+, and with my regular retail backlog, I don't need another subscription no matter how good the value.

Maybe people can discuss the topic at hand...such as, is early access for such a hyped game really such a good thing? I personally don't care again. I can't see how it hurts anyone except those that don't have EA access...and since this is an overall feature of the service, it's not like EA is using it to push subscriptions...at least not directly.

[rainslacker]

So...after posting my above comment I realized that this article is about EAA on the PS4. having just come off an article about SW:BF getting early access right before this, I got my topics confused, and wanted to apologize for my above statement. Carry on.:)

[Crimzon]

Well all these subscriptions could add up very fast.

PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Now and possibly EA Access? Imagine how much money you'd be forking over in monthly/yearly subscriptions for all this stuff. Then add in Season Passes for various games as well...

This industry is becoming very expensive to support, and the sad thing is you can spend all of this money and not actually own anything for it. Cancel your PS+ sub? All your games go bye-bye. Cancel PSNow? Can't access those games any more. Cancel EA Access? Same deal.

Not very fond of the direction the industry is heading with the way it treats consumers.

[spacedelete]

why do you think theres so many services on PS4 ? Sony is trying to get back the money they lost over the years.

[starrman1985]

£20 for BF4, Fifa, Madden, UFC, Peggle 2, Plants vs Zombies:GW and NFS - more than worth it! Plus the early access (but that's a perk...) If you were paying the £20 purely for early access then no, it isn't worth it!

But for a catalogue of games it certainly is.

[aquamala]

I want to subscribe, don't subscribe if you don't want to, give us the option

[Death]

That should be the key issue. Sony has deemed the service not a value and is keeping it off the platform. It's an optional subscription service, but it may take away subscription fees from one of Sony's services which is most likely why they don't want it made available. http://www.gamespot.com/art...

The policy isn't only ironic considering they removed the option for Plus and made it mandatory to play online, it's also anti-consumer by taking away the choice from gamers in the first place.

[rainslacker]

@Death

At the time of it's release I was inclined to agree with them on that. The value of the first few months was questionable given the games they were giving out. Sure it would cost more to buy those games, but they were the kind of games people would have brought anyways if they were into those kinds of games.

It's gotten better though, and if someone is into digital distribution and EA games, then it is certainly worth it even if you aren't into every single game offered in the vault.

On a side note, I think one of the reasons I was inclined to side with Sony upon it's release is that it was EA, and they aren't exactly the best when it comes to not screwing over the customer.

[playstation4epic]

True, I buy all my EA games second hand and don't want EA to get a penny off me. Thanks Sony for saying NO.

[slappy508]

Agreed, I rather let the fools on EA access to be beta testers for early access games for me before I purchase EA's games which historically have been dodgy

[Kribwalker]

Yep I'm a fool for paying $30 a year for a large catalogue of almost new games. Madden ufc PCs and nhl came to access within 6 months of release. Nba was even sooner. Add in the extra perk to try out a full game and decide if I want to buy it for 10% off makes it an even bigger value at $2.50 a month.

[3-4-5]

* You pay $30 for one year and you get like 8-10 games.

And most of them are good.

[Yo Mama]

I'm not subscribing just to get early access and last year's sports titles.

[yarbie1000]

So because you aren't, others shouldn't have the option?

And in the vault is NHL 15, Madden 15, NBA 15, UFC, BF4, Peggle 2, N4S, GW, Fifa14

And btw, this is 2015

Trying out brand new games has saved me money. Decided not to pick up Dragon Age after playing it. Not to mention the discounts you get.

[mkis007]

Sounds an awful lot like the remastered arguments, just reversed.

[Baka-akaB]

I didnt see him say you shouldnt get it . just that it doesnt interest him

[Gazondaily]

Battlefield 4 and Plants vs Zombies aren't sports titles.

[Saijahn]

nor is Dragon Age, and the next Mass Effect. For as much heat as EA has taken and deservedly so, they hit a homerun with EA Access.

[KarmaV12]

^Let's not forget Star Wars Battlefront. I think Star Wars fans are hardcore, and theres a ton of them including myself. I would go and buy an X1 to play early if I didn't already have one. But if they have a limited edition console... I'll die of excitement.

[playstation4epic]

We already got PvZ for free and Battlefield was a broken mess

[Gazondaily]

You got Need for Speed for free too? Peggle? Battlefield 4 WAS a broken mess.

Give credit where its due ffs.

[Ryan741]

Battlefield 4, Peggle 2, Plants vs Zombies are not sport titles.

[Activemessiah]

No... in fact,heeeeell no.

[TaylorSwiftFan]

No, I don't need.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

So should I pay to have access to games that no one wants to play or should I use that money to buy a new game?
Decisions, decisions...

[Jdoki]

No one is forcing you.

EA Access costs about half the price of a new game on XB1 / PS4.

I am not a big enough fan of sports games to spend full price. So for me, I have played a lot of FIFA 14, Madden and UFC for only £20 per year.

And on top of that I have Need for Speed Rivals - a game would have picked up eventually on budget, but don't have to any more. Plus BattleField 4 is a great download.

[BattleTorn]

Nice pic

[Activemessiah]

No one forces anyone... until down the line it's forced upon you. It's a slippery slope.

[gangsta_red]

Well if you have an Xbox One you can have the option to pay to access games that a lot of other people want.

BUT, if those selection of games are something YOU don't want and 5 bux a month is a little too much for your wallet to handle then no, keep your money and spend it on something else.

[Malice-Flare]

pay a sub on top of Live/PS+? sorry no for me...

[jairusmonillas]

Not worth it.

[StrayaKNT]

This is the best subscription service out there so the more consoles it is on, the better. Dont listen to these guys^ who wouldn't want to pay 2.50$ a month for a whole library of free games and early access lmaooooo it's literally impossible to resist if you're a gamer.

[MasterCornholio]

Even gamers can resist subscribing to it.

:I

Edit: They still are gamers though.

People who disrespect them are not gamers.

[StrayaKNT]

Then they're not gamers

[BattleTorn]

I've been using my Xbox One more & more lately.

I've almost subbed to Access to fill space on my new 5TB HDD.

But there is LITERALLY nothing on the list that interest me.

Don't get me wrong, PvZ:GW & BF4 are great games, but I played BF4 a ton at launch, and got PvZ free from EA on PS4.
I've played NPS:R, and the only other two that remotely interst me are NHL15 & UFC. And those are stretching it.

I own Dragon Age, & Hardline.

I kid you not, I'm trying to convince myself to get Access, but there's nothing that I'd want to download.

That said, $2.50/month is little enough for me to re-play games I have already. It's THAT cheap. But there's not even anything I'm readily wanting to re-play.

[rainslacker]

I can easily resist anything EA. I like some of their games, but I'll simply buy those games, and don't need a subscription for games that I don't care much about. If there is an EA game that I actually care about I will simply buy it and not wait for it to show up on the vault, and since I don't buy digital games, EA access is rather meaningless to me.

I can see value in it for some people though, and to them, more power to them. But it doesn't effect my status as a gamer.

[Dewitt]

sony already turned it down because they didn't want a competing service to PS Now, don't expect that to change.

[PlayableGamez]

I don't get why you guys don't want options, it's good to have options/features even if you don't use. Whats the worst thing that can happen if EA access on PS4?

[StrayaKNT]

It's exclusive to x1 so people not wanting it is an act.

@kraenk12 oh so everyone of you guys who don't want options aren't fanatic lmao and every one of you guys with your stealth disagrees arent fanatic? Again you guys stay blinded and in denial.

[gamertk421]

AussieGamer hits the nail on the head. Three of the four tastes are well represented here, and sweet is not one of them.

[Baka-akaB]

That's silly , i'm not fan of it for the precedent and pass , it will gives to other publishers , just like blindly accepting dlc and season passes did .

But fine , have it come to ps4 , so you guys would at least shut up about console wars , and discuss the service itself and the problems it might pose or not .

[iamnsuperman]

I don't want it for the precedent it sets. Once the current biggest player on the market opens up to allowing a service like this it means other publishers follows suit. What next Ubisoft, Activision, 2K.... That is a lot on top of what we already pay for a console. It is coming to the point where to get the most out of a console an extra £100 a year is need (this is even before the price of games.

This pushes indies out since big games become part of your subscription (are you going to buy an indie game if a AAA gets added to the vault?). Are own content is going to be restricted. We saw this before EA access became a thing. More content was locked away behind a pay wall (on disc dlc.....). With more companies signing up the services have to get more competative (as it is hardly affordable for the masses). That is either done with creating more content or locking away the content (the latter of which is far more likely).

EA access by itself looks great. Good value for money with good games. But those people subscribing to it have no right to complain against companies increasingly nickel and diming consumers as they subscribe to a service that leads us more into that domain. For that reason I wouldn't subscribe to it even if it was on the PS4.

[marlinfan10]

Playstation already has their own service which is worse imo. The service is also most likely the reason ea access isn't available on ps4. $20 a month (if I'm not mistaken, havnt checked in a while) for old gen games. Or a single game rentals for a few days which cost as much as a full month of ea access which holds a lot more value. At least with ea access you're getting current gen titles made for our console, at a fraction of the price. That's scarier than ea doing it since sonys one of the few major platform holders who are choosing to charge for old games now (first time we've ever had this happen)

Ea access is perfect for a new console owner who may not have many games. You can subscribe for $30 and instantly have 10 games or however many are on there, and more added to the list nearly every month. Then on top of it, 10% off new ea games (which gives you more money off of the game than a single months subsciption cost) and early access.

Then it's also good for sports fans who don't want to upgrade every year, we now have the option to wait and have it added to the vault in due time.

[iamnsuperman]

@marlinfan10

How the hell is Now worse. I am struggling to see the logic. Now is purely old generation games. Games that are only found on used shelves or if you are lucky new in a shop. It is removing the need for a console for those consumers who would rather dabble in games (as it is going to appear on practically anything). Now is cashing in on ease and giving consumers another avenue to access old games. It may not be great value (which is what your logic seems to be based on which shows you have misunderstood my comment) but it isn't sending consumers down a bad trend (there will always be a need for hardware and games that are not streamed)

[marlinfan10]

Superman

And ea access is making it easy for people to access new games without paying for them individually.

If you think $20 a month to play old games is a good value then all the power to you. That's the beauty of opinions, we all have them. But I think that's opening the doors for content restriction far more than ea access. We've never had to pay to play our past gen games before, but now that doors wide open for consoles now that ps now is here. You can say it's an option to do it, but then again ea access is which is the exact thing you were complaining about.

[rainslacker]

@Marlin

I assume you're talking about PSNow with that $20 a month. If that's the case then it's a completely different service from EA Access or even PS+.

PSNow is a on demand streaming service. You can play anything on the service, without being at the whim of what games are released each month like with EAA or PS+.

PSNow is also available on many devices, or will be at some point. PSNow looks like it's geared more towards those that don't have a console, and those that may want to play older games but don't have the proper hardware.

You're comparison is basically like comparing Netflix to HBO. One gives you access to content on demand, while the other only allows you to watch what it is currently offering for the month.

I also wasn't aware that people that subscribe to EAA had every game ever released to the vault at their disposal. I thought the only ones that were available from the point you began subscribing.

[BlackTar187]

I'll tell you why i don't want it and it's simple. I don't want this to set a precedent for every company. If this becomes super successful then every publisher will be doing it and slowly but surely they will start releasing games exclusively to the service. Some may say that's a little bit off and i agree but it's a real possibility and something if i was a Publisher looking to maximize profit and rid themselves of used games would seriously being pushing for if this model is successful.

I don't need subs to EA UBI ACTI ect charging me every month even $2

[Jdoki]

Yes, bring it on! It's a great service on XB1, and I would welcome it on my PS4.

I can understand that Sony didn't want a service competing with EA - but I'm not sure how any consumer can defend that when you compare the proposed price of PSNow with EA Access.

People saying they don't want it, are taking a narrow, selfish, viewpoint. No one is forcing them to pay for it. Choice is almost always good.

[magiciandude]

That is entirely up to Sony. They're the reason why it wasn't on PS4 by now.

[jriquelme_paraguay]

No thanks

[dreadz74]

Wow all the PS4(dual console owner here) users don't like options? The service is optional . NHL 2015 is still selling for 49-59 bucks and you get it for 30 bucks for entire year which gives you so many games. UFC,NHL 15, BF4,NFS,peggle 2,NBA 15,madden 15,madden 25,plants vs zombies.Early access to all EA games from 6 hours to 10 hours of trial gameplay that can be played for as long as it takes for you to use up time and is entire game single player/multi. You guys are gamers right?

[VVgamer4lifeVV]

wow dude you're all up on that EA kool aid.

[dreadz74]

ya the kool aid that gives me 10 full games for 30 bucks a year plus 5 days early access to all ea games and a bonus 10% off SMH

[kurruptor]

Some people think just because it won't work for them, it is a stupid idea. Some people are just haters.

Personally it wouldn't be worth it to me, but I can see how it could work for others.

[BlackTar187]

Yes until it becomes the norm by all publishers who start doing early releases and exclusive releases on the platform and take away every right you have to SW.

[Master-H]

Personally not interested. I don't buy EA titles, and on the rare occasion that I do, I make sure they're second hand copies.

[VVgamer4lifeVV]

last company I would trust is EA, then ubisoft.

[REDDURT]

I am with the crowd on this one and I don't care.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Personally I wouldn't but there are actually a lot of people who have it on Xbox One saying it is worth it.

Just because the games don't interest you, doesn't mean its a shitty service.

[Father Murder X]

Sony is trying to get back to profitability on the backs of the SDF. They don't want any competition because that affects their bottomline. That's smart business. But yet the SDF get on here and talk about how much Sony loves the gamer. Sony loves money just as much as the next company.

[rainslacker]

That doesn't make sense. Surely Sony would make money off the subscription fees, and it's unlikely to interfere with their own PS+ service. In fact, I'd say people who liked PS+ before it was required for online would be prime candidates for wanting EA access. In addition, the discounts on games will help drive digital sales. With digital sales not only does sony get their liscence fee for the game sale, they also get their cut from the PS Store sale. It's a revenue stream from them without having to really spend any money.

It is quite possible that Sony just saw it as not much of a value for it's customers, or maybe they know more about EA than we do, and don't want the trend of every publisher having their own subscription service which is inevitable if EAA really takes off.

Here's a question. Why isn't EAA available on PC? There's nothing stopping it.

[whitesoxfalife1976]

I'm signed up, and I love it i have no problem of getting 10 games fa few dollars less than i wud have paid full price or even used price value. In fact if you don't pay for the whole yr and payback one month guess what that's 10 games that I just paid 5 bucks for. Next game up to be in the vault will Dragon age. Something I thought about getting but I can wait on ea to get it. Honestly to hate on EA and MS for the deal that inked a while back or saying who wants to play those games is just kiddish to me.

[bmwfanatic]

Nope dont want it. I like what Sony is doing focusing on exclusive games.

[Dudebro90]

So playstation vue and now dont count?

[L0wlifeGamer]

I don't need EA, I don't need their Games, I don't need Access.

[ScorpiusX]

Love EA just wish they would have allowed me to buy two years worth of Access to 10% discounts and free 5 hour free trial play, waiting on hardline. Can't wait for ME4, Star wars love options. How sweet would it be if all other publisher followed suite with an Access of their own .

[Sarah_Ch]

For me it's not worth it , but it's worth for other so why not Sony (this is for players) tho

[Lucreto]

Once Microsoft's exclusivity ends with Ea Access I am sure it will be on PS4.

Still not convinced EA Access is not one of those exclusive deals they have with Microsoft, like Titanfall for example. If it was a problem with Sony, EA Access would also be on PC but it is not the case. Also one source made the claim with no one backing it up. The response they allegedly gave it similar to the one they gave to the Rise of the Tomb Raider exclusive deal. They praised their first party studios and don't go and buy exclusivity.

If you look up all the responses Sony have given to Microsoft exclusive deals they are ready with the similar PR. This is what was said about Tomb Raider

"Well, you know, we've got a very large and very powerful network of studios on our own, all of whom are working on games that will be fully exclusive to PlayStation, and we feel that this on top of partnering with third parties where it makes sense. I think the partnership we have with Activision on Destiny is a good example of where it makes really good sense for them, it makes good sense for us and it benefits our consumers - when you complement those two things we think that gives us a pretty complete position in the market."

"So do we feel the need to go out and buy outright exclusivity? Probably not. You saw last night [at Sony's press conference] that before the media briefing we showed updated videos of games that we had revealed at E3. That's because we wanted to keep the show itself full of new, fresh things. We think that gave us a good, strong, convincing portfolio of exclusive stuff and we're happy with that."

With EA Access
“We evaluated the EA Access subscription offering and decided that it does not bring the kind of value PlayStation customers have come to expect,” a Sony representative told us via email. “PlayStation Plus memberships are up more than 200% since the launch of PlayStation 4, which shows that gamers are looking for memberships that offer a multitude of services, across various devices, for one low price. We don’t think asking our fans to pay an additional $5 a month for this EA-specific program represents good value to the PlayStation gamer.”

To me they read the same. PR response to an exclusive deal they can't talk about.

I need two independent sources to say Sony saying no. It would be like believing the ex-phantom dust developer's on why the game was cancelled without any other information to back up their story.

[BabyTownFrolics]

30.00 dollars a year, access to an ever growing list of games, early access trials for new games, discounts on new games and dlc.

Just because some folks dont see value there does not mean the value does not exist. Do the math, you get more than your moneys worth with EA Access.

Now if the games dont interest you then fine, but that is purely subjective, the value in this optional service is a straight fact.

[bleedsoe9mm]

its awesome on xb1 so what is wrong with giving ps4 players the option

[Sarah_Ch]

Indeed

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Based on this thread...clearly PS4 owners don't want the option. so...somehow not getting the option to use it is better than having the option to use it? N4G logic at its best.

[ilikepizza]

Its got to the point that Sony fanboys can't see the value and point of the service lol. The site is a laugh fest. This is why the PlayStation will also be behind because Sony fans think its perfect as is.

[S2Killinit]

PS4 doesnt really need it. It has PSNow which has way more content.

Having the option isnt a bad thing but its definitly not essential. Personally i only get one EA title every year to year and half at most. And that title will be a new title like a just released fifa, i wouldnt want to pay a monthly to EA. (Does it offer just released games? I dont think so but im not sure).all in all PSNow is leaps ahead of EA for my taste.

[Satyre28]

The salt is real with PS4 and EA Access. The damn truth is that, it is such a good value that its almost unbelievable that its coming from EA. You literally get i believe its 7 or 8 titles, and you get 10% off all EA stuff, including DLC anything EA, and you also get trials of every EA game that comes out a week in advance. For 5$ a month or 30$ for the year i honestly have no clue what else is a better value in gaming. Also it seems like new games are being added in a monthly basis(1-2 months). O also dont forget Sony is the reason why its not on PS4, has nothing to do with EA or MS, so inform yourselves before you talk trash on either of them when the problem was Sony declining the service.

[t-hall785]

"Thank you Sony for taking options away from me."WTF??? Bring on the downvotes but this has got to be the dumbest thread ive read in a while. If you have an app store full of apps. Youre not gonna download them all. But you may want to try it from time to time. EA access is no different. Give the power of choice to the consumer. Cant believe some of you are happy that the choice has been made for you

[Pogue1906]

As time goes by, the value of EA Access get better and better. Eventullay games like Titanfall,BF Hardline and Star Wars will make it to the vault also. Early accesss and/or discounts to upcoming new games like PGA,NFL,NBA,NHL, plus all the other games EA makes. My friends that think its not a good value didn't subscribe, but its there if they want it. If other publishers want to try to follows EA's lead, add the app and then I'LL decide if i want it or if i'll just wait untill the game comes out.

[WizzroSupreme]

Titanfall was a Microsoft exclusive, but Battlefield: Hardline got its beta on PS4. The company's playing both sides of the fence, so I wouldn't be surprised if EA Access wasn't on the PSN eventually.

[LoveSpuds]

I think that on paper the service seems like a great deal after all, if ony one or two of the games interest you then you are still getting your monies worth.

There are however one or two arguments that I dont agree with. The claims of a 10 percent discount off the price of new games makes no difference when the games are already grossly overpriced on their online service with the result that the title could still be bought cheaper at retail.

I also do share concerns with others that this service will set a precident for other publishers to follow and could result in the consumer being cornered into subscribing to various services.

Having said all that, I dont beleive Sony should withhold access to the service, it should ultimately be up to the consumer to decide if the service represents value for money. If the service is not up to snuff the consumer will soon vote with their wallets.