260°

You don’t need Xbox Gold for EA Access unless you play online

EA has some good news for you regarding EA Access: no double subscription on Xbox One unless you want to blast people online in Battlefield 4.

user74029313575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

I wonder how many people are going to play battlefield 4 for the offline -_- smfh EA knew this. And that ladies and gentlemen is your "catch"

WilliamUsher3575d ago

Technically, it's better than what I thought.

I had imagined that the entire thing would have required an Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Still, like you mentioned, EA knew that a game like Battlefield 4 would be useless without its online component.

BiggCMan3575d ago

This is pretty expected honestly. It's not really EA's problem, it's just that multiplayer on Xbox Live requires Gold no matter what. PS4 as well, but I guess it won't be on PS4.

Either way, I don't like what EA is doing with this. Because now EVERY major company is going to do the same exact thing and it's not as valuable as people believe.

Let me put this in simple terms then. Would everyone be happy with Netflix if all it provided was Steven Spielburg movies?

This is basically what EA Access is, and I don't agree with it.

I also believe it will open the floodgates for more frequent DLC at higher prices since people are getting the base games for much cheaper.

Dudebro903575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

Comparing movies to gaming is pointless. Two very different markets with very different strategies.

ABizzel13575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

Then there's little to no reason for Sony to not allow it, as it basically treats games as F2P (excluding the subscription). If anything include it after he service improves it's "Vault collection"

The main question I should ask is once the Vault collection changes do you no longer have access to those games, or as long as you have them downloaded you get to keep them (like PS+ games).

Oh and congrats to MS and EA for trying something different, although I'm not a fan of the service just yet since it needs some big improvements, specifically a much larger catalog of Vault games (PS460Wii games would make it worthwhile).

GiggMan3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

I think MS should have included this with Gold. They could have just gave exclusive rights to EA games and beefed up their already existing Games With Gold program.

Imagine just having to pay for Gold and get EA exclusive content without having to pay another sub. It would've made PS+ seem less of a value.

Also why no 360 support? MS will drop a console in a heartbeat...

4Sh0w3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

@DirtyPimp
lmfao a "catch"
Uhm where have you been?..of course you have to pay for xbl to play online, just like ps4, EA has no say in that as it's been standard policy since 360. Stop the fanboyism iis making you sound drunk. The good news here is that if you don't already pay for xbl then this is not behind a paywall like in the past. I personally don't think it affects that many X1 owners but still a nice choice by micro/EA.

@GiggMan
Are you kidding me, microsoft is rich but they aren't going to foot the bill and give you "Exclusive rights" and all of EA "exclusive content" for free. Your logic amounts to saying "imagine having to just pay for psn and getting all of sonys games and exclusive content for free". You sound like a dreamer wishing everything was free. These are business's, they sometimes offer deals to spur sales growth/extra revenue/goodwill but they can't be expected to stay in business if they run it like a charity.

GiggMan3575d ago

@4show

You are not getting all EA content for free. Who said that? You are getting some old EA games for free while you are subscribed.

It's not that much different than PS+.

Full game trials, access to older game, and discounts. What's the difference? you get all this with just your PS+ subscription.

What's wrong with wanting more for your money? I also think that Sony should incorporate PS Now into their subscription service also. The less subs the better. Nothing wrong with that and only a fanboy would want to spend more money than they have to.

dcbronco3575d ago

I'm not sure how anyone but a fanboy can't see the value in this if you don't already own these games. It also includes all of the DLC. That alone is a huge savings. For BF4 it's like getting a limited edition for $30s. Along with all of the other titles. And according to EA, there are no current plans to eventually remove anything from the vault. If you normally buy FIFA or BF, this is a great deal. It means everything else is free. And it gets better as the years go on.

thorstein3575d ago

So, now you pay %80 a year to play Battlefield? Do you at least get DLC with that?

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3575d ago
Lawboy23575d ago

How is that a catch...u dont need xbox live for alot of things but who would have an xbox one without xbox live when most games on the system requires online...such as

Titanfall
Destiny
Plants v zombies

Ghost_Nappa3575d ago

3 games is not "most" of the x1 library.

Bonkerz3575d ago

LMAO how is that a "Catch" you clown? This is actually damn good news, since everyone always says "paywall" this is giving you the oppurtunity to use this pretty cheap service even if you arent gold. Also why are you acting as if this only gives you Battlefield? Yea, what a dumb comment by you...

Ghost_Nappa3575d ago

The catch is that you need Xbox Live Gold to to play multiplayer on Xbox Live? Shocking.

nicksetzer13575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

LOL the spin in you guys is hilarious. You do realize you need XBL gold or PSN to play the online components of the retail copy of these games as well right?

Godz Kastro3575d ago

Dirty,

That's a really silly comment. Everyone is paying for online now including PS owners. This is on top of... What? Do you think PS now is going to be free with your PS+ subscription? Come on man...stop

gamerfan09093575d ago

You can't play any game online without PS+ or XBL Gold. I don't see your point.

UnHoly_One3575d ago

And as of right now (1 hour after he posted this), this utterly moronic comment has 14 agrees.

So there are at minimum 15 people on N4G just in the past hour that are this stupid.

That's impressive.

truefan13575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

Man you are just reaching, but you still have nothing. I know you couldn't wait to say paywall paywall paywell, but Phil Spencer wasn't going to give you the ammo. There are zero negatives to EA Access no matter how hard you try to make up stuff. It's fairly priced and optional.

AS perfectly stated by I3eyond the CIRCLE below DX12 could be huge if it allows older EA games created for PC to be ported to XB1 easily to increase the EA Access catalog. Mass Effect collection, Battlefront, and Mirrors Edge would be a great start.

stiggs3575d ago (Edited 3575d ago )

@DirtytPimp

You're a GENIUS! You uncovered the deep seated conspiracy that EA has perpetrated upon the naive gaming public. How did decipher such a convoluted and heinous scheme?

BTW, this is sarcasm (just in case you haven't figured that out).

I love how he though that his statement was so revelatory and clever.

Xb1ps43575d ago

I wonder how many ppl that have a ps4 and or a xb1 don't have there online service?

vork773575d ago

i would play battlefield 4 offline

MeliMel3574d ago

Wheres the catch. Get that mumbo jumbo crap outta here.

DJStotty3574d ago

at the end of the day if you dont agree with EA Access. Very simple, dont pay for it. Just buy the games you want. This is just another option for gamers. Options are always good and should not be grumbled at. Imagine if game developers/manufacturers gave you no options whatsoever???

Grown Folks Talk3574d ago

I am. Haven't played a minute of multiplayer, & won't. Only mp I play in shooters is co-op campaign.

BallsEye3574d ago

Silly argument. When you buy a retail, boxed game on ps4 or xbox one you can't play online unless you have PS+ or XBLG. How is that any different? EA access is a great value that will keep on growing. I hate the early access to betas/demos/etc but I do love the ever growing library in the vault. 30 bucks A YEAR? That's how much I spend on a lunch everyday at work, here in Europe.

Ps4marksthespotnotX3573d ago

If this was ps4 and not xbox one that had decided to do this deal it would be bad according to you spin doctor.

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 3573d ago
XiSasukeUchiha3575d ago

The always online option EA you sneaky snakes.

no_more_heroes3575d ago

So its really only great for single player games then.

gamer11383575d ago

Only in the context of not wanting to pay for xbox live gold. If you're happy to pay for xbl gold then you're still getting a good deal.

no_more_heroes3575d ago

Yeah, that's what I meant. Not saying that its bad with the two of them, but was just saying that its only dirt cheap for single player games, or at least games you don't play online.

Rocky53575d ago

Well it's still dirt cheap, £19.99 for a £45 game & all its DLC, I spent £90 on BF4 & premium & I always have Gold so it's really only £19.99 in my eyes, since I buy live every 3 years. (I buy in bulk when I find 12 month + 1 month for £26 quid)

Gh05t3575d ago

No I already have gold so I can play online in other games... this is just another option to run along side gold. Its not like gold somehow costs me more because of this. I was already paying for gold and now I might pay for this... one is not directly related to the other.

Now if you don't have gold right now anyways then again it doesn't mean squat because even if you bought BF4/madden/fifa separately you still wouldn't be able to play multiplayer without gold.

This is just being consistent. If you want to play a game multiplayer you need to have gold.

This at least allows you the option of playing some games cheaply. Although without more games, I want to play, I'm not in on this yet.

Godmars2903575d ago

And since more EA games have or are based around an online component...

Zichu3575d ago

It's just giving people options, it allows people who don't play games online that ability to play single player games. It benefits everyone that sees the value in this service, Gold or not Gold.

Godmars2903575d ago

What are major, $60, EA games that are single player only?

Team_Litt3575d ago

Lol now you are just reaching. Darkride was bitchin that MS are at fault for adding a $30 to their $60 Gold service even though this isn't even their program. Now we find out that Gold isn't even a requirement and you wanna try and m downplay this as well. D minus! Online or not, Fifa 14, Madden 25, Peggle 2 and BF4 for a whole month for $5 is a bargain. Some other publishers want to charge you that for ONE game for a few days but let's not go there.
Mass Effect
Mirrors Edge
Dragon Age
Dead Space
Those games are single player focused. You can play those games without once needing to play the online multiplayer.
Fifa and Madden also have an offline multiplayer, a feature I use all the time on Fifa with my mates. I have yet to play a single game online.

gamer11383575d ago

Interesting...good move MS/EA.

Show all comments (92)
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gold_drake6h ago

i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.

its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.

Jingsing2h ago

This is exactly what many people said would happen including the CMA and FTC. Lies lies and more lies and they allowed a $69 billion buy out to happen.

gold_drake2h ago

oh yeh it was 70 billion. that was my bad haha even worse.

thesoftware7302h ago(Edited 2h ago)

gold,

You can't be serious, right?

Do you think that MS thought they would make 80bill in a year & Half? They haven't even released titles under MS yet, lol.

But in fact, that A/B revenue is already paying off, look at the last earnings call. That $80 billion is long-term money, my guy, no sane person/company would think they would make that back in any short-term situation, it's a long-term investment.

Let's play silly then. If MS's reason for laying off staff and closing studios was due(which it really was not) to the A/B deal, tell me what Sony's reason was for past studio closures, the recent 900-person layoffs, closing Sony London, shutting down Dreams, and closing Japan Studio? Zipper? Psygnosis? cuts at all their internal studios.

Keep in mind, you are claiming MS's reason is because of the A/B deal; please explain Sony's reason.

Hofstaderman2h ago

You actually still defending them? Sheesh.....

gold_drake2h ago

this is not a sony vs MS debate. dont make it something it isnt.

and of course not, but im pretty sure they thought they'd make more money after the deal. they didnt, and closed off some studios.

its pretty insane to think there is any other reason for the closure of studios in this case.

romulus232h ago(Edited 2h ago)

(It really was) due to the Activision Blizzard deal and the loss of physical sales due to gamepass. You keep bringing up Sony in all your posts about this, stop deflecting and trying to change the topic, this is about MS and what they are doing.

BehindTheRows2h ago

Has nothing to do with Sony. Stay on topic.

notachance1h ago

once in a while you see someone too invested in their make-believe console war that everything happened has to be connected to said war…

a bit of banter between fans is normal, this crusade you’re doing now isn’t.

Chevalier1h ago

Wow idiotic. You bring up very old closures not that there haven't been recent ones from Playstations, but, seriously stop deflecting. This has NOTHING to do with Playstation.

Does Playstation got $3 trillion behind them and daddies wallet? No they don't so stop making a fool of yourself.

Xbox has never been profitable really and they just keep losing money so between their worst hardware sales, terrible 3rd party sales and now terrible 1st party sales.

Gamepass numbers that are no longer being announced shows their numbers after 3 years of missed targets has flatlined. Plus their recent gains up to 34 million were ONLY because they folded Gold members in too. Absolutely take your idiotic rhetoric out of here. Keep on topic without deflecting.

S2Killinit1h ago

Ayayayay with these xbox/MS excuses.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1h ago
anast2h ago

They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.

Skuletor2h ago

Maybe they were already using AI to make business decisions, which would explain why they closed Hi-Fi Rush's studio, then said they need more games like Hi-Fi Rush not long after that announcement.

Crows902h ago(Edited 2h ago)

They shouldn't have bought any studios. Some is okay...but they went on a shopping spree...stupid

Einhander19721h ago

The better question is why did Microsoft buy publishers for a service they were subsidizing they knew couldn't support.

And why are so many websites trying to make people feel sorry for Microsoft instead of truly criticizing the fact they are closing studios and killing jobs that would have been fine if Microsoft themselves hadn't gotten involved.

Quit feeling sorry for Microsoft and start feeling sorry for the industry and the all the gamers who are actually losing out.

THIS IS MICROSOFTS FAULT.

RNTody1h ago

The first thing that happens after any major acquisition or merger is a consolidation of the whole new portfolio, which includes cutting any excess, bloat or portfolios that don't fit the larger MO of the big boy. So far, it's been par for the course with Microsoft and that's why gamers have been so against this acquisition. Tango Gameworks is the beginning. You think Microsoft wants to pay to keep small timers like Ninja Theory in business?

There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that Microsoft will improve any of these studios, but plenty to suggest that they will get rid of what they don't need and hold onto the IP. The real agenda of the acquisition was always to acquire The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Fallout, Call of Duty, Candy Crush etc. that will create millions in passive revenue stream for Microsoft regardless of where the games release. Microsoft simply wants their cut.

Because of Games Pass Microsoft has no interest in investing in new IP which is risky and requires creative talent they can neither nurture nor manage. Game Pass has also not grown in the way Microsoft expected it to, even post acquisitions. Therefore the logical thing to do, without serious money makers to release, is to cut as much cost as possible.