14 DAY TRIAL // Electronic Arts has just released a new service called Origin Access for PC, which is basically a subscription that gives users access to a small number of games from the Origin catalog, in a few select countries.
For once, Electronic Arts is no longer trying to catch up to Valve and its Steam service. As far as the PC goes, Origin now has the only subscription service. If it proves to be successful, we might see it adopted on other platforms as well.
The new subscription services costs only £3.99/ £3.99/$4.99, depending on the country and here comes the kicker. It’s only available in a few select countries, meaning USA, Canada, UK and Germany. Electronic Arts promises that more countries will be added to the list soon, but they are not saying when that will happen.
Origin Access for PC sounds too good, in theory
Origin Access for PC wants to do for this platform what Netflix and Hule are doing for movies and TV shows. These are uncharted waters and nobody knows if it will work, but it seems that Electronic Arts is willing to be the first.
“At EA, we’re passionate about giving our players more variety, more flexibility, more value, and more fun. Today we're thrilled to announce a new membership service for PC gamers on Origin called Origin Access. It's available now in the U.S., Canada, UK and Germany and coming to more countries soon,” the company has revealed in an email.
There are only 15 games available and they include the following titles:
• Dragon Age: Origins • Dragon Age 2 • Dragon Age: Inquisition • Sim City • Need for Speed Rivals • FIFA 15 • Battlefield 3 • Battlefield 4 • Battlefield Hardline • The Sims 3 • Dead Space • Dead Space 2 • Dead Space 3 • This War of Mine • Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare
As you can see, some of the newer games like FIFA 16 or Star Wars Battlefront are not included, although they would have made a great selling point. This shows that it’s just a dry run and they aren’t fully committed.