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Does EA Play Let You Play FIFA 22 Early? Your Ultimate Guide

The short answer is a resounding yes! EA Play did indeed offer a way to play FIFA 22 early. Through EA Play’s early access program, subscribers could get their hands on FIFA 22 before its official release date, typically for a limited time. This perk was a major draw for hardcore FIFA fans eager to get a head start in Ultimate Team and other game modes.

Unlocking Early Access to FIFA 22 with EA Play: A Deep Dive

EA Play, the subscription service offered by Electronic Arts, provides several benefits to its members, one of the most enticing being early access to select new releases. This benefit allowed subscribers to play FIFA 22 for a specified period, usually 10 hours, before the game was officially available for purchase. This early access window allowed players to:

Start building their FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) squad: Get a head start on acquiring players and completing Squad Building Challenges (SBCs).
Dive into Career Mode: Begin managing their favorite club or creating a player and experiencing the highs and lows of a virtual football career.
Explore other game modes: Sample VOLTA Football, Pro Clubs, and Kick-Off modes to get a feel for the game’s overall mechanics and features.

The early access period was typically available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Origin (now the EA app) and Steam. It’s important to note that the progression made during the early access period carried over to the full game if the player decided to purchase it.

The EA Play 10-Hour Trial: How It Worked

The 10-hour trial was the key to unlocking early access to FIFA 22 and other EA titles. This trial period began a few days before the game’s official release date. Here’s a breakdown of how it worked:

Subscription Requirement: You needed an active EA Play subscription to access the trial.
Download and Installation: Download the FIFA 22 trial version from the platform’s digital store (PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, or EA app).
Time Tracking: The game automatically tracked the amount of time played. Once the 10 hours were up, the trial ended, and you needed to purchase the full game to continue playing.
Strategic Play: Many players planned their playtime strategically, focusing on the modes they enjoyed most to maximize the trial period.

The 10-hour limit encouraged players to consider whether the full game was worth purchasing, acting as a demo with significant advantages.

Understanding EA Play and Its Benefits Beyond Early Access

EA Play is more than just early access. It’s a comprehensive subscription service that offers a variety of benefits, including:

Access to a Vault of Games: Subscribers gained unlimited access to a library of older EA titles, ranging from sports games to action-adventure titles.
Exclusive In-Game Rewards: EA Play members often received exclusive in-game items, such as cosmetic items, player packs, and XP boosts.
Member Discounts: Subscribers received a 10% discount on all digital purchases of EA content, including full games, DLC, and in-game currency.

These benefits combined to create a compelling package for gamers who regularly enjoyed EA titles.

The Evolution of EA’s Football Franchise: From FIFA to EA Sports FC

It’s worth noting that after a long and successful partnership, EA and FIFA parted ways. The annual football game is now known as EA Sports FC. While the name has changed, the gameplay and the core experience of football simulation remain. Information on how games are designed and the impact on learning can be found on the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The concepts explored can be applied to sports simulations like EA Sports FC, where the learning curve and in-game skill acquisition can be studied and improved upon.

EA Play vs. EA Play Pro: Choosing the Right Subscription

EA offered two tiers of its subscription service: EA Play and EA Play Pro. While EA Play provided early access trials and a library of older games, EA Play Pro offered even more. The key difference for FIFA players was:

Full Game Access: With EA Play Pro, subscribers gained access to the full version of the latest FIFA title, including the Ultimate Edition, at the start of the early access period. This meant unlimited playtime, unlike the 10-hour trial offered with the standard EA Play subscription.
Premium Content: EA Play Pro subscribers also received additional in-game content, such as bonus packs and exclusive customization options.

The choice between EA Play and EA Play Pro depended on individual preferences and gaming habits. If you were a hardcore FIFA fan who wanted unlimited access and premium content, EA Play Pro was the better option. If you were a more casual player who wanted to try the game before committing to a purchase, EA Play’s 10-hour trial was sufficient.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About EA Play and FIFA Early Access

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how EA Play enabled early access to FIFA 22 and other EA titles.

1. What platforms supported EA Play early access for FIFA 22?

EA Play early access for FIFA 22 was available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Origin (now the EA app) and Steam.

2. Did my progress from the FIFA 22 early access trial carry over to the full game?

Yes, any progress you made during the 10-hour early access trial carried over to the full game if you purchased it.

3. How did I access the FIFA 22 early access trial with EA Play?

You needed an active EA Play subscription. Then, download the FIFA 22 trial version from your platform’s digital store (PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, or EA app).

4. Could I replay the FIFA 22 early access trial if I didn’t finish it within 10 hours?

No, the 10-hour trial was a one-time opportunity. Once the timer ran out, you needed to purchase the full game to continue playing.

5. What happened to my saved data if my EA Play subscription expired?

If your EA Play subscription expired, you wouldn’t be able to access the FIFA 22 trial or the full game unless you purchased it separately or reactivated your subscription.

6. Did EA Play only offer early access to FIFA games?

No, EA Play offered early access to select new releases across various genres, including sports games, action-adventure titles, and more.

7. Was FIFA 22 ever “free” on EA Play?

While you could play a 10-hour trial with a standard EA Play subscription, the full game of FIFA 22 was not “free.” However, with EA Play Pro, you gained full access to the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 22 for as long as your subscription was active.

8. Did the standard version of EA Play provide access to the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 22 during early access?

No, the standard EA Play subscription only provided a 10-hour trial of the standard edition. The Ultimate Edition was exclusive to EA Play Pro subscribers during early access.

9. Can you get banned for exploiting the FIFA 22 early access?

Exploiting glitches or engaging in unfair practices during the FIFA 22 early access could potentially lead to a ban from the game. It’s always best to play fairly and within the game’s terms of service.

10. Does EA Play offer refunds on games?

EA had a Game Guarantee policy that allowed you to request a refund within a certain timeframe after purchasing a digital game. Check EA’s official website for the most up-to-date details on their refund policy.

11. How do I cancel my EA Play subscription?

You can cancel your EA Play subscription through your EA account settings. The specific steps vary depending on the platform you subscribed through (PlayStation, Xbox, PC).

12. Is EA Play worth it for just playing FIFA?

Whether EA Play is worth it for just playing FIFA depends on your gaming habits. If you play FIFA frequently and enjoy other EA titles, the subscription can be a good value. If you only play FIFA occasionally, purchasing the game outright might be a better option.

13. Are there any discounts for EA Play subscribers?

Yes, EA Play subscribers received a 10% discount on digital purchases of EA content, including full games, DLC, and in-game currency.

14. How often does EA add new games to the EA Play Vault?

EA regularly added new games to the EA Play Vault, so the selection of available titles changed over time.

15. What is the difference between EA Play and Xbox Game Pass?

Xbox Game Pass includes EA Play as part of its subscription, providing access to EA Play’s library of games and benefits on Xbox consoles and PC. Xbox Game Pass also includes a vast library of games from other publishers.

Conclusion

EA Play provided a valuable opportunity for players to experience FIFA 22 before its official release, offering a head start in various game modes and a chance to assess the game before committing to a purchase. While the 10-hour trial had its limitations, it was a popular perk for FIFA enthusiasts. Understanding how EA Play worked and its various benefits can help gamers make informed decisions about their gaming subscriptions.

Does EA Play let you play FIFA 22 early?