14 DAY TRIAL // The announcement of the EA Access for the Xbox One has been generally well received by players who are expected to use it, but it seems that the Terms of Service do include some sections that have some potential gamers worried about the fact that content removal could happen at any time without reason.
The most troubling section of the document, as hosted on the official site, states that “The online services for certain Vault Titles may be discontinued. In the event that EA changes the EA Access Services, including the removal of Vault Titles or discontinuation of online services for certain Vault Titles, we will provide thirty (30) days advance notice to you by posting a notice on http://www.ea.com/eaaccess.”
The company is pledging to notify gamers, but it is not required to offer a reason for removing any game from the Vault, the section of EA Access which can be accessed by paying a monthly subscription.
Electronic Arts adds, “Vault Titles contain functionality designed to disable access to those Vault Titles in the event that (i) your subscription is canceled or otherwise terminated or (ii) EA decides, in its sole discretion to remove certain Vault Titles as described above.”
Some gamers believe that the language is only included in order to allow the publisher the freedom to remove older versions of some of its annualized franchises, like FIFA, Madden NFL, or even Battelfield.
At the same time, its unclear why the company would want to eliminate a game, even if its player population is dwindling, and each title removed will probably generate some strong comments from the community.
EA Access is at the moment offered to a small number of users on the Xbox One and allows them to access four games, Battlefield 4, FIFA 14, Peggle 2, and Madden NFL 25, and the publisher pledges that it will deliver another 100 before the service goes live to the entire community.
Electronic Arts is also using the service to offer five days of advanced access to trials for big coming launches to those who buy it and to give them a 10 percent price cut on both the actual games and any other content associated with them.
Sony has announced that it has also evaluated EA Access for the PlayStation 4 and decided that it would be offering less value to its customer base than the PS Plus subscription.