Exactly. A per device subscription service is convenient, a per publisher service is a mess and it will add up if you subscribe to multiple publishers services. The only advantage is that the user can choose which publisher to subscribe but that is limiting.
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
EA announces Subscription Service for Xbox One ($5/month or $30/year, get game vault)
- Thread starter jbug617
- Start date
Exactly. A per device subscription service is convenient, a per publisher service is a mess and it will add up if you subscribe to multiple publishers services. The only advantage is that the user can choose which publisher to subscribe but that is limiting.
Baleoce
Member
This is setting an interesting precedent on many fronts. I wonder though, if this approach was to catch on, how will this affect the pull of existing services such as PS+ and XBLG?
If many publishers started doing this, would it still be perceived as a good deal, because of the accumulative fees that you'd potentially be paying? Or is this okay, because everyone has their favourite publishers / devs / IP and can pick and choose? Is the reality that only EA and the likes would be able to pull off a service like this?
Also, they've referred to this as a partnership with Microsoft. So is this being subsidised some how? I can only imagine that if this is a partnership deal with Microsoft, that it's also going to be behind XBLG paywall.
How about the notion of ownership? I think this move raises many interesting questions.
If many publishers started doing this, would it still be perceived as a good deal, because of the accumulative fees that you'd potentially be paying? Or is this okay, because everyone has their favourite publishers / devs / IP and can pick and choose? Is the reality that only EA and the likes would be able to pull off a service like this?
Also, they've referred to this as a partnership with Microsoft. So is this being subsidised some how? I can only imagine that if this is a partnership deal with Microsoft, that it's also going to be behind XBLG paywall.
How about the notion of ownership? I think this move raises many interesting questions.
Bam Bam Baklava
Member
If you're buying all those games and the DLC I suppose the discount adds up. Not sure how much you would have to spend to justify the 30 dollars.
CecilRousso
Member
It's them wanting you closer, more connected, more eager to purchase things so that you think you're getting good value for your subscription, and they want you to do your purchases digitally, where they get a bigger share of the price for a game, and where you won't be able to resell it.
Bad news or good news, that depends on how you see those things.
People really don't tend to count the accumulative cost of their purchase (see Steam sales), they will just look on them getting that sweet 10% sale of new games.
Insane Metal
Member
SO you have to pay Live and EA too. I hope this stops here.
Kabuki Waq
Member
Right now its a week in terms of early access to games. Whats stopping them for making that a month?
If a company that I cared about did this like Nintendo I would have to sign up as I am extremely weak willed in that aspect.
If a company that I cared about did this like Nintendo I would have to sign up as I am extremely weak willed in that aspect.
You don't have to pay either...
Muppet of a Man
Member
It's actually a great idea. PSN+ set the precedent for this business model and is still a better deal due to it's more frequent game rotation, being 1 subscription across the whole PlayStation eco-system, and with games from all publishers.
demosthenes
Member
I wouldn't for $5/month.
ToVenusAndBack
Member
If this means there's a chance of playing stuff like Mass Effect 1-3 or Dragon Age Origins and 2 on the Xbox One then that would be incredible!
BruiserBear
Banned
Wait another 6 months. I bet early next year.
Yeah, this feels a bit like Origin on PC, where they cut out Steam to get more of the profits.
Well one EA game is 70€ in Germany so you would have to buy 3 EA games per year + DLC for 9€ to breakeven.
w1gglyjones
Member
EA have had this service for a few years now. You pay $30 for early access to FIFA, Madden and NHL and you get access to the full retail game before it's released as well as Ultimate Team packs.
EA are now adding to this $30 and giving us access to full games and not just early access.
This is what I don't get:
If they are selling a Vault subscription for $30 dollars a year, why not just offer yearly packages of dated sports games for $30 dollars around this time every year?
$30 for last years Madden, FIFA & Battlefield is a great price for people who might be interested in playing those games casually yet passed them up because their value to the individual wasn't worth the retail price at the time. These games are usually the ones that I purchases used the most, mainly for trophies.
In all honesty, I would highly consider buying a $30 dollar, even without the promise of additional content through a subscription if this was on the PS4.
If they are selling a Vault subscription for $30 dollars a year, why not just offer yearly packages of dated sports games for $30 dollars around this time every year?
$30 for last years Madden, FIFA & Battlefield is a great price for people who might be interested in playing those games casually yet passed them up because their value to the individual wasn't worth the retail price at the time. These games are usually the ones that I purchases used the most, mainly for trophies.
In all honesty, I would highly consider buying a $30 dollar, even without the promise of additional content through a subscription if this was on the PS4.
Mass Effect
Member
Because of the above. Right now you're totally right. If people don't like they don't have to worry about it. But what happens 3-4 years from now when Activision, Ubisoft, and Capcom (lol) all have their own sub services? What becomes of PS+ and GwG? Do we not see any games from publishers with their own subscription services on PS+ or GwG anymore? Do they start offering 'exclusive' content for those subscribed? Will non-subscribers be forced to wait weeks-to-a-month for the release? I can see why people may have some concerns.
Though honestly, I see Ubisoft as the only other 3rd-party publisher that could get away with this, as they seem to have the second-most diverse line-up behind EA. Activision, while they have HUGE franchises, they only have a handful, and none of the fanbases really overlap enough to where I think something like this would even make sense (CoD audience =/= Blizzard audience =/= Skylanders audience etc.).
I will mainly be getting this just for early access + 10% of all (digital) EA content so I really don't care about the older game catalogue to be honest.
Thanks for sharing?
BruiserBear
Banned
Um, so you're saying it's too good of a deal?
One can dream at the very least.. Let me rephrase to "more fixed than before" lol.
Jackbooted
Member
While I don't play sports games I do like other games published by EA so this could be a really good service for only $30/year. BF4 and Peggle 2 would probably be pretty close to enough to justify the annual subscription but they'll also be adding games on top of those so it sweetens the pot.
Bam Bam Baklava
Member
But seriously if EA did make a "greatest hits" bundle with madden, fifa, and battelfield for 30 bucks it would be a good deal.
AyaisMUsikWhore
Member
If Nintendo did this, that would be extreme value.
Neat idea, EA. In particular, the pricing seems to indicate that they "get it" for a change. For me, $5/mo (or less) is down in possible-impulse-buy territory, while any sort of $10/mo offer usually just causes me to run the other way. I just can't justify that sort of money on something I might not use consistently. (Like a $12/mo music subscription service, for instance.) However, if the service is sufficiently cheap, (e.g. Live Gold, Netflix) I'll often agree to pay just for the opportunity to occasionally partake in their offerings. I'm paying for convenience and additional options. If I don't use the service for a while, eh, what's a couple bucks wasted? I'm not saying that my attitude is totally rational , but I've always felt that way.
Unfortunately, I have zero interest in any of those EA games, past or future, so the deal isn't currently anything I'd be interested in.
It might be someday, though.
Unfortunately, I have zero interest in any of those EA games, past or future, so the deal isn't currently anything I'd be interested in.
It might be someday, though.
LukasTaves
Member
I think it all comes down to the games you want to play. If you were to purchase most of the games EA would launch in a year, that subscription would be worth it for the discounts alone.
Probably not everyone will have the same benefits from it, but publishers specific subs while a more general device one could be very interesting.
Alcoholikaust
Member
edit:NVM haha
Dreamgazer
Member
Yeah, I would jump on a Wii U right now if that's the case.
For us non-sports fan, the EA sport games pretty much worth nothing to me.
(sorry EA, need me some dance, baseball or basketball game.)
AyaisMUsikWhore
Member
Question, Why?
If a sale on Madden 15 comes out on retail for $45 bucks vs $55 bucks on the Sub, which one would you realistically buy?
Natureboy99
Banned
So, $30/year or $5/month for 5 day trials?
In a perfect world, BF4 would be slightly less broken than it is today lol... what a sad statement, amirite?
What's really funny is that it has gotten even worse than before!
Doctor_Thomas
Member
Interesting and good value, but absolutely removes the chance of EA games appearing in GWG rotations, maybe PS+ too.
andthebeatgoeson
Junior Member
Well, if EA never adds anything significant to their games, you're technically playing a new version of Madden.
I'm not really understanding putting everything into one basket, besides money hats.
I'm not really understanding putting everything into one basket, besides money hats.
Garrett 2U
Member
some people want their games digitally bro
Dreamgazer
Member
You're reading it wrong.
If they do ever decide to remaster these games for the current gen., I highly doubt they would offer them free from the get, Probably a 6-9 month waiting period on annual releases, and 12-15 months on other titles.
Dead Space 3 came out in February 2013 and is free for PS+ members for July 2014, and that is with some compensation from Sony. For EA to cannibalize sales of games on one or both consoles, that game sales must be dormant, much like year old sports titles when the new releases approach.
Green Yoshi
Member
There will be no Subscription Service for Origin? Really? Or do they just try this business model on Xbox One before unrolling it for PS4 and Origin.
Seeing as this isn't on Origin, which is their own personal marketplace, or even has a trace or Origin in it, I'm going to guess that MS approached them. I see why people are mad, but there's no other way to explain why EA wouldn't support all consoles, let alone their own marketplace. I'm sure this would not have existed otherwise.
I personally am not an EA fan in the slightest, especially with the mess called Battlefield 4, but for those out there that do buy and enjoy multiple EA games out there, this is a hell of a deal. I don't buy EA games myself, but they'll get me in the distant future for the new Mass Effect because they bought BioWare, and the new Mirror's Edge unfortunately unless they somehow screw those up too.
I don't like subscription-based models at all, especially when the whole catalog is gone once you stop paying for it, but this is a surprisingly-great deal for those EA game fans out there unlike myself. MS weren't playing when they said it's all about the games now.
Choice and options are always fine. Myself, I always avoid those options and / or DLC and buy physical whenever I can find a great deal. But for those willing to do so, and if it actually works out cheaper for them if they're fans of the product, power to them for the savings.
I personally am not an EA fan in the slightest, especially with the mess called Battlefield 4, but for those out there that do buy and enjoy multiple EA games out there, this is a hell of a deal. I don't buy EA games myself, but they'll get me in the distant future for the new Mass Effect because they bought BioWare, and the new Mirror's Edge unfortunately unless they somehow screw those up too.
I don't like subscription-based models at all, especially when the whole catalog is gone once you stop paying for it, but this is a surprisingly-great deal for those EA game fans out there unlike myself. MS weren't playing when they said it's all about the games now.
Choice and options are always fine. Myself, I always avoid those options and / or DLC and buy physical whenever I can find a great deal. But for those willing to do so, and if it actually works out cheaper for them if they're fans of the product, power to them for the savings.
I get all of my games digitally + sports games don't usually drop in price until close to the middle of the sports season. More enjoyable (at least for me) to get sports games during the same month they release -- get to play it all throughout the season.
w1gglyjones
Member
That's true. So you'll sub for a month, and get the 10% discount? Or you'll be buying 5+ EA games per year?
Dragonborn
Member
Black Tusk who's new IP they scrapped in exchange for another Gears. All the other ones are just small studios, one if which just put out the terrible lococycle game. Press Play seem good though I haven't gotten a chance to play Max.
I didn't know MS had other unannounced studios, that could change things. Is there any word on when they may reveal them?