PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

EA, Microsoft Launching 'Netflix of Games'

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

In partnership with Microsoft, Electronic Arts is launching EA Access: a smorgasbord of Xbox One games that will be available via a monthly or annual subscription.

Starting at $4.99 per month, the membership is available now in beta to a limited number of players, but will launch to the general Xbox One-playing public soon.

What's being called the "Netflix of video games," EA Access promises a 10 percent member discount on digital content purchases, as well as the Play First guarantee, which opens trials of new EA games up to five days before their release. First up: Madden NFL 15, NFL 15, FIFA 15, NBA Live 15, and Dragon Age: Inquisition.

If you love the game enough to buy it, your progress will carry over, so you don't have to start from zero.

"At EA, we are always looking for new ways to make it easier for gamers to play more EA games across all platforms, and we are excited about what EA Access will offer to players on Xbox One," the game makers said in a blog post.

EA Access membership unlocks The Vault—a collection of the company's biggest Xbox One games, ready to download and play. Beta participants will have unlimited access to FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, Peggle 2, and Battlefield 4, with more titles coming soon.

"That's over $100 worth of games for $4.99 a month," EA boasted.

Unlimited games cost $5 each month; an annual membership is $29.99—an almost $30 savings if you intend on keeping up with EA's games for 12 months.

GameStop will offer EA Access sign-up at its stores, and Web users can also purchase a subscription on Amazon soon.

Electronic Arts has not yet revealed an EA Access launch date. Keep an eye on the company's Facebook and Twitter pages for more details.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

Read full bio