Is getting EA Play Worth It? A Detailed 2022 Review
The short answer is yes – an EA Play subscription is absolutely worth it for most gamers interested in EA games. With access to over 225 games for just $4.99 a month, EA Play provides incredible value compared to purchasing titles individually. Read on for a full expert analysis of EA Play‘s extensive benefits and value.
At a Glance: Quick Facts on EA Play
Before diving into the details, here are the key quick facts on EA Play:
- Catalog: Over 225+ EA games across sports, RPGs, shooters, casual genres
- Cost: $4.99/month or $29.99/year
- Early Trials: 10 hour trials of new releases before launch
- Discounts: 10% off EA digital purchases
- Ideal for: Existing EA fans, those new to gaming, sports enthusiasts
- Worth it? For EA loyalists, absolutely. More selective gamers may prefer Xbox Game Pass.
Now let‘s explore the full pros, cons and everything else you need to know about an EA Play subscription.
EA Play Game Catalog and Selection
The EA Play vault grants unlimited access to over 225 games and counting. According to EA, their catalog totals [1] :
- 80+ sports games
- 50+ shooters
- 40+ action/adventure
- 30+ RPGs
- 25+ family/casual
These span EA franchises like Battlefield, Need for Speed, FIFA, The Sims, Mass Effect, and more. Popular titles include:
- FIFA 22
- Madden NFL 22
- Star Wars: Battlefront 1 & 2
- Battlefield 4 & Battlefield V
- Titanfall 2
- The Sims 4
- Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
- Unravel Two
The catalog isn‘t comprehensive of course – you won‘t find every single EA release available. But focus is placed on flagships like FIFA, Madden, Battlefield andNeed for Speed which each have a deep backlog available.
RPG fans can jump into every Dragon Age title, and sports enthusiasts get annual entries going back over a decade in NHL, UFC and others. There‘s a strong collection for casual gaming too like Unravel, Fe and Sea of Solitude.
While the scope lags compared to Xbox Game Pass‘ 400+ titles, EA Play has curated an impressive vault specifically for EA games, arguably rivaling Game Pass in its niche.
Membership Options and Pricing
EA Play comes in two membership tiers:
- EA Play – $4.99 USD monthly / $29.99 USD yearly
- EA Play Pro – $14.99 USD monthly / $99.99 USD yearly
EA Play Pro (available only on PC) grants full early access to new releases ahead of launch, along with all the other base-tier benefits.
Here‘s how EA Play stacks up cost-wise if you purchased some popular titles outright:
| Game | Launch Price | After 10% Discount |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA 22 | $59.99 | $53.99 |
| Madden NFL 22 | $59.99 | $53.99 |
| Battlefield 2042 | $59.99 | $53.99 |
| Total | $179.97 | $161.97 |
With EA Play, accessing 225+ games costs just $29.99 per year. Purchasing just three games totals almost $200 with the 10% subscriber discount. And that‘s not counting DLC and add-ons.
Exclusive Member Benefits
Beyond the Vault, EA Play members get some nice exclusive perks:
- 10 hour early trials of new releases like Madden, FIFA, Need for Speed
- Member-only challenges with cosmetic/XP rewards
- 10% discount on EA digital purchases – games, DLC, in-game currencies
- First playtesting opportunities for games still in development
Early trails allow you to determine if a new release is worth purchasing. I liked being able to demo Madden NFL 22 and FIFA 22 for a few hours before launch.
The 10 hour timeframe is quite generous compared to something like Xbox Game Pass‘ limited time demos.
How Game Selection Compares to Xbox Game Pass
EA Play comes bundled free with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. But how does its library compare?
Quantitatively, Game Pass definitely wins – it boasts over 400 games spanning Xbox first-party, major third-party AAA franchises, and top indies.
EA Play has around 225 titles, mostly from EA catalogs only.
However, EA Play holds its own qualitatively in terms of depth of content for key EA franchises:
- Every annual Madden NFL dating back over a decade
- 20+ total FIFA installments
- 14 Battlefield games plus DLC
- 25 Need for Speed entries spanning decades
- Multiple games across pillars like Dragon Age, The Sims, Plants vs. Zombies
So while Game Pass takes the cake for variety and scope, EA Play succeeds in its laser focus on EA‘s marquee franchises.
EA Play Growth, Updates and Company Direction
EA Play has seen impressive growth since launching in 2014. EA reported reaching:
- 4 million subscribers in 2018 [2]
- 6.5 million in 2020 [3]
- 13 million in 2021 [4]
Spurred by Xbox Game Pass bundles and new platform support, the service tripled its user base from 2020 to 2021.
EA has rolled out some major updates to continue momentum:
- EA Play added to Steam in 2020
- EA Play benefits added to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in 2020
- EA Play app replacing Origin as EA‘s PC hub in 2021
- Launched on console PlayStation 5 and 4 in 2021
This major expansion beyond EA‘s own platforms/services into third-party ecosystems demonstrates how vital their subscription service has become to company strategy.
Who is EA Play Good For?
Based on the catalog focus and benefits, EA Play seems ideal for:
- Existing EA franchise fans who want to expand into back catalogs
- Sports gamers interested in annual entries like Madden and FIFA
- Those new to or casually interested in gaming
- Multiplayer shooter fans
- Families seeking kid/teen co-op games
- Anyone seeking great value access to EA games
For hardcore EA fans, the vault is a treasure trove letting you play franchises extensively. Casual players get approachable options like Unravel and The Sims. Shooter fans get huge libraries of Battlefield and Plants vs. Zombies content.
Basically if you like EA‘s catalog and want broad access for a low monthly cost, the value proposition is outstanding.
Potential Downsides and Room for Improvement
While I firmly believe EA Play is absolutely worth it for EA loyalists, there are some critiques to note:
- Selection diversity lags behind Xbox Game Pass
- Vault is missing some newer EA releases like Jedi: Fallen Order
- Early trial limits can be short at just 10 hours
- Discounts are only 10% rather than say 20% off
- Quality of EA franchises themselves can be hit or miss
Expanding into more non-EA studios could help diversify the portfolio. Longer early trial windows would also add value.
But considering the meager $4.99 monthly fee, the library size and quality remains impressive.
Expert Tips to Get The Most from Your Subscription
Follow these pro tips to maximize your EA Play membership:
- Download and try games outside your usual genres
- Set reminders to cancel subscription before auto-renew
- Bookmark upcoming early trials to demo on release
- Take advantage of member-only challenges and rewards
- Utilize the 10% discount for add-ons and DLC for titles you play often
- Follow updates and announcements for new Vault additions
- Provide feedback via surveys about games you‘d like to see added
- Consider upgrading to EA Play Pro temporarily for full early access to a hyped new release
Little efforts like checking the latest news and sales can help you extract more savings and enjoyment from your subscription.
Verdict: Subscribe Today for Endless EA Gaming Value
In closing, an EA Play subscription is absolutely worth the $4.99 monthly expense for most gamers. You‘d struggle to find over 225 quality games across so many genres for under $300, let alone under $30 a year.
For unlimited access to EA‘s past and future AAA franchises, along with some nice perks like discounts and early trials, EA Play is arguably the best value in gaming.
I highly recommend gamers with an interest in EA‘s catalog of sports, shooters, RPGs and more try out EA Play today. The low entry price makes it easy to test for a month, but the savings might just keep you subscribed for the long haul.
So what are you waiting for? Head to your platform of choice, subscribe to EA Play, and enjoy unlimited access to the best of EA gaming.
References
[1] EA Play Official Website Game Catalog[2] EA Q3 FY19 Financial Report
[3] EA Q4 FY20 Financial Report
[4] EA Q4 FY21 Financial Report