EA Access

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EA Access (stylized as EA access) is a subscription-based gaming service by Electronic Arts. Initially pitched to both Microsoft for use on the Xbox One and Sony for use on the Playstation 4. However Sony declined and EA Access launched only on Xbox One on August 11, 2014. The service allows access to select games published by Electronic Arts, along with additional incentives.

Video EA Access

Structure

Upon downloading the EA Access hub from the Xbox Games Store, users purchase a membership in either one- or 12-month increments. Memberships can be purchased through the Games Store or from select retailers. During the membership period, users have unlimited access to the full versions of a selection of games published by EA, dubbed "the Vault". The games are downloaded to the console's storage device and remain available as long as users continue their membership. If membership is suspended, access to the games is restricted, but all progress and game saves are retained. Users may purchase games available in EA Access outright, along with other EA games, at a discounted price. EA Access members can purchase DLC for Access or other EA titles at the same discount. Games offered in the initial beta launch include Battlefield 4, Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14 and Peggle 2. More games will be added in the future, with additions occurring at EA's discretion as opposed to timed availability, such as making a title available on Access a set number of days after its retail launch.

When a game is added to the Vault, EA has pledged that it will not be removed at a later date. However, the Terms of Service do state that EA does retain the right to remove titles with 30 days' notice. On July 20, 2017, EA announced that FIFA 14 would be removed from the Vault on October 18, 2017 due to their decision to end online support for the title. The game will remain playable in offline modes only, and users who install it through EA Access prior to its removal date can continue to play it through their subscription; if the game is removed from the console after the removal date, it cannot be recovered. EA officials called the removal a "unique circumstance specific to the title" and that it was not representative of their future plans for EA Access.

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

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

Additionally, games published on the EA Partners brand (such as Respawn Entertainment's Titanfall series) are not eligible for EA Access benefits. However, Titanfall was added to the Vault in June 2015, as part of an E3 2015 promotion that also enabled a free trial for all Xbox One owners. Titanfall 2 was also added to the vault on July 2017.

Additionally, EA Access subscribers are also able to receive downloadable content for games in the Vault free at during various limited time periods, such as the Naval Strike and Second Assault DLCs for Battlefield 4. Subscribers who download the free DLCs offered during the free period are able to keep them regardless of subscription status. On May 3, 2016, Premium access for Battlefield 4 and Hardline were offered free for a limited period of time, enabling subscribers to download all released expansions for both games at no cost. While Battlefield 4 Premium content can be accessed with an active subscription, subscribers were allowed to keep Hardline Premium features regardless of subscription status. The season pass for Star Wars Battlefront was made available at no cost for subscribers on July 7, 2017.

On February 29, 2016, EA Access has expanded to include Xbox 360 titles via the Xbox One's backward compatibility feature, starting with the original Plants vs. Zombies. Dead Space was added (without any official announcement) on March 31.

Maps EA Access

Release and reception

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

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