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Do I Keep Games Forever with EA Play? The Ultimate Guide

No, you do not keep games forever with EA Play. EA Play is a subscription service, similar to Netflix or Xbox Game Pass, that grants you access to a library of games as long as your subscription is active. Once your membership ends, you lose access to the games in the Play List, unless you purchase them separately.

Think of it as renting movies versus buying them. When you rent, you have access for a limited time. With EA Play, you’re renting the games. When you purchase, you own them outright. It’s that simple! The allure of EA Play, however, lies in its cost-effectiveness. For a monthly or yearly fee, you can sample a wide range of EA titles and enjoy the perks of membership without the significant upfront investment of buying each game individually.

Understanding the EA Play Ecosystem

EA Play offers a fantastic opportunity to delve into the world of Electronic Arts games. But to truly understand the value proposition, you need to grasp the nuances of the service. Let’s explore what you gain with an active subscription and what happens when it ends.

The Benefits of Membership

An active EA Play membership unlocks several exciting benefits:

Access to the Play List: A library of full games from EA’s extensive catalog, including popular franchises like Battlefield, FIFA (now EA SPORTS FC), The Sims, and more.
Exclusive Trials: Early access to try upcoming EA games before their official launch. Typically, these trials offer around 10 hours of gameplay.
Member Rewards: In-game challenges, rewards, and special content exclusive to EA Play members.
Discounts: A 10% discount on EA digital purchases, including full games, DLC, and in-game content.

The Catch: It’s a Subscription

The key takeaway is that EA Play is a subscription service. As long as you are a member, you have access to the benefits mentioned above. But, if you cancel your subscription, you will lose access to the games in the Play List.

What Happens When You Cancel?

Upon canceling your EA Play subscription:

Loss of Game Access: You can no longer play any games from the Play List.
Progress is Saved: Your game progress and save files are retained, meaning you can pick up where you left off if you resubscribe or purchase the games individually.
Continued Access Until End of Billing Cycle: You’ll still have full access until your current billing period expires.

The Value Proposition: Is EA Play Worth It?

The worth of EA Play is subjective and depends on your gaming habits. If you enjoy playing a variety of EA games, appreciate early access trials, and want to save money on digital purchases, then EA Play is likely a great value.

Consider these factors when deciding whether to subscribe:

Frequency of Play: How often do you play EA games?
Game Preferences: Are you interested in the games offered in the Play List?
Cost Savings: Do the discounts and benefits outweigh the subscription fee?
Trial Access: Do you value the ability to try new games before buying?

If you mainly play a single game, like the latest EA SPORTS FC title, it might be more cost-effective to buy the game outright. However, if you like exploring different genres and franchises, EA Play provides a budget-friendly way to access a diverse library of games.

The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org focuses on the educational aspects of games, and while EA Play is primarily for entertainment, the access it provides can encourage exploration and learning through different game experiences.

EA Play vs. EA Play Pro

EA offers two tiers of its subscription service: EA Play and EA Play Pro. Understanding the difference is crucial when deciding which option suits your needs.

EA Play (Standard)

The standard EA Play subscription offers:

Access to the Play List of select EA games.
10-hour trials of upcoming EA games.
10% discount on EA digital purchases.
Member rewards and in-game content.

EA Play Pro

EA Play Pro is the premium tier and provides:

Access to the Deluxe Editions of EA’s newest releases.
Unlimited access to the Play List, including the newest titles.
All the benefits of the standard EA Play subscription.

The key difference is the games you can access and the timing of that access. EA Play Pro grants access to the newest releases and their deluxe editions, offering more content and features compared to the standard tier. However, it comes at a higher price point.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About EA Play

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you understand EA Play better:

1. What happens to my EA Play subscription if I cancel?

If you cancel, you’ll lose all EA Play benefits, including access to the Play List, but you’ll retain access until the end of your current billing cycle. Your game progress is saved, allowing you to continue where you left off if you resubscribe.

2. Will I lose my games if I cancel EA Play?

Yes, you’ll lose access to games in the Play List if you cancel your subscription. You need an active subscription to play them. Your progress is saved, though.

3. How long does EA Play last?

EA Play lasts as long as your subscription is active. You can choose between monthly or yearly subscriptions.

4. Is EA Play the full game?

Yes, the games available in the Play List are the full versions, not demos or limited versions.

5. Is EA Play worth it for a year?

It depends on your gaming habits. If you play EA games regularly, enjoy exploring different titles, and value the discounts and trials, a yearly subscription can be worth it. However, if you only play one or two specific games, buying them outright might be more cost-effective.

6. How do I keep games from EA Play forever?

You can’t keep games from EA Play forever through the subscription itself. To permanently own a game, you must purchase it separately.

7. What happens when a game is removed from EA Play?

When a game is removed from the Play List, you will no longer have access to it, even with an active subscription. If you want to continue playing, you’ll need to buy the game.

8. What happens if you buy EA Play?

You gain access to the Play List, exclusive trials, member rewards, and discounts on EA digital purchases.

9. Does the EA app delete games if I cancel my subscription?

No, the EA app does not delete games from your account when you cancel your subscription. You just lose access to them until you resubscribe or purchase them.

10. Do I get my money back if I cancel my EA Play subscription?

EA Play subscriptions are generally not refundable, but you can request a refund through EA Help if you believe you’re entitled to one.

11. What happens if I cancel EA Play before my membership ends?

You’ll lose all EA Play benefits (access to the Play List, member rewards, etc.), but you’ll retain access until the end of your current billing cycle.

12. Will I lose progress if I unlink my EA account?

Yes, unlinking your platform account from your EA Account will result in the permanent loss of game progress, DLC, and other in-game content.

13. Do I have to buy games if I have EA Play?

You don’t have to, but you’ll only have access to the games included in the Play List as long as your subscription is active. To own a game permanently, you must purchase it.

14. How does the EA Play 10-hour trial work?

EA Play members can play select upcoming EA games for up to 10 hours before release. Once the trial time expires, you’ll need to purchase the game to continue playing.

15. Is it hard to cancel EA Play?

No, canceling EA Play is generally straightforward. You can manage your subscription through your Microsoft account (for Xbox), Steam account (for PC), or PlayStation account (for PlayStation).

Do I keep games forever with EA Play?