Is EA Play Worth It in 2026? A Deep Dive into EA‘s Gaming Subscription
As an avid gamer and long-time EA Play subscriber myself, I get asked a lot if EA‘s gaming membership is really worth the money. At around $30 per year, it can seem hard to justify another subscription. But with the huge vault of games and nice discounts on new titles, I firmly believe EA Play is absolutely worth buying for most players. Let me convince you why!
A Quick Primer on EA Play
For those unfamiliar, EA Play is a subscription service from gaming giant Electronic Arts that grants access to a library of over 225 games. The lineup spans popular franchises like FIFA, Madden, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Plants vs Zombies, and of course, The Sims.
Beyond the games vault, members also get:
- 10-hour trials of new releases
- Early access to upcoming games
- 10% discount on EA digital purchases
- Exclusive member content and rewards
There are two membership tiers:
- EA Play – $4.99/month or $29.99/year
- EA Play Pro (PC Only) – $14.99/month or $99.99/year
EA Play launched back in 2016 as EA Access on Xbox One, later expanding to PlayStation and PC. Today, it has grown to over 15 million members according to EA‘s latest figures.
A Vast Games Library with New Trials Too
The vault is the core of EA Play, granting unlimited access to a catalog of AAA franchises that keeps expanding. Some highlights for me are the Dead Space trilogy, Titanfall 2, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and It Takes Two.
Indie gems like Unravel and Knockout City are fun additions too. And of course as a lifelong Madden fan, being able to play older editions for a nostalgia hit is fantastic.
In total, there are over 225 games available as of early 2023, with recent additions like F1 2022, GRID Legends, and NHL 22. While not every EA release is included, most major IPs are represented.
And alongside the vault, those 10-hour trials for new releases allow you to preview big-name games before launch. I just played through a good chunk of the Dead Space remake and Need for Speed Unbound thanks to Play early access.
Big Savings with Member Discounts
One of my favorite EA Play benefits is the 10% discount on games, DLC, and in-game purchases. New AAA titles are not getting any cheaper at $59.99 or more, so that little discount goes a long way.
For example, I just pre-ordered the Madden NFL 23 All Madden Edition for $99.99. With EA Play, it only cost me $89.99 instead, saving $10 right off the bat! Over a year I easily save more than the $30 subscription through discounts alone.
To give you an idea, here are some other new release prices with and without EA Play:
| Game | Non-Member Price | With 10% EA Play Discount |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA 23 Standard Edition | $59.99 | $53.99 |
| FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition | $99.99 | $89.99 |
| Madden NFL 23 Standard Edition | $59.99 | $53.99 |
| Madden NFL 23 All Madden Edition | $99.99 | $89.99 |
| NHL 23 X-Factor Edition | $99.99 | $89.99 |
As you can see, those savings add up fast! Even if you only buy one or two EA games per year, you‘ll probably save more than the $30 yearly subscription cost.
How It Compares to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus
EA Play has some stiff competition in Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. Game Pass arguably offers more bang for your buck at $9.99 per month with hundreds of games spanning Xbox and PC.
However, EA Play holds its own with a more focused library of polished AAA franchises. Game Pass includes more indies and older titles in its vast catalog.
Here‘s a quick comparison of EA Play vs Xbox Game Pass:
| EA Play | Xbox Game Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $4.99 | $9.99 |
| Number of Games | 225+ | 400+ |
| Major Franchises | FIFA, Madden, Battlefield, etc. | Halo, Forza, Gears of War, etc. |
| Notable Exclusives | Jedi: Fallen Order, It Takes Two, Titanfall 2 | Hades, Forza Horizon 5, Microsoft Flight Sim |
When it comes to PlayStation Plus, the Extra and Premium tiers offer Sony first-party games like Spiderman, God of War, and The Last of Us. EA Play‘s more focused catalog and new release trials give it an edge for sports and multiplayer fans though.
The Best Value in Gaming?
After several years of membership, I firmly believe EA Play offers one of the best values in gaming. The catalog of vault games keeps expanding, so there‘s always something new to try when I get bored. Testing out upcoming titles with those 10-hour trials is super handy. And I seriously save a lot from those member discounts.
While the library could be a little more comprehensive, I think Play strikes a nice balance of quality over quantity. The focused collection of polished EA franchises like Battlefield, Madden, and FIFA is perfect for sports and multiplayer fans. And for just $30 per year, it‘s very affordable compared to alternatives.
For RPG fans, Game Pass likely makes more sense thanks to heavy hitters like The Elder Scrolls. But if you mainly play tactical shooters, sports games, and the occasional indie gem, EA Play is a subscription slam dunk.
So if you‘re on the fence about joining, I couldn‘t recommend EA Play enough, especially with the savings you‘ll see on new purchases. It offers a great way to try out EA‘s lineup at an awesome value. Just be prepared to soon have another membership you won‘t want to let go of!