EA Access page is now live on Steam, service is 'coming soon'
The subscription-based service isn't active yet, but we can at least get a look at what it's all about.
Last October, Electronic Arts said that it was bringing its games back to Steam—and not only that, it announced a plan to bring the subscription-based EA Access service to the storefront as well. At the time it was expected to arrive in spring 2020, although that plan was eventually pushed back, and while it's still not live, the Steam page is.
EA Access is basically the same as Origin Access—EA just doesn't use the Origin name outside of its Origin launcher. Subscribers get unlimited access to a large selection of EA games, ten hours of pre-launch playtime on "select new-release games," ten percent off all EA purchases on Steam, and "exclusive challenges and rewards [and] member-only content."
There's no mention of pricing on Steam at this point, but Origin Access goes for $5 per month or $30 per year, and EA Access on Steam will probably be the same. It doesn't look like EA Access will offer a "Premier" tier comparable to Origin Access Premier, which is significantly more expensive at $20 per month or $130 per year, but provides unlimited early access to a wider selection of games, including new releases.
I've reached out to EA to ask when the service will actually go live, and will update if someone tells me.
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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.