Rebranding streaming services is great in these days across a number of entertainment sectors, and EA is jumping on the trend by rebranding its EA Access and Origin Access services as EA Play.
There are no financial changes for customers, and the rebranding also requires no extra effort for people to play games under their current subscription. The company describes the rebrand as “an important step in streamlining our services to ensure that being an EA Play member is the best way to play,” in a new blog post. EA Access currently runs at $ 4.99 a month or $ 29.99 a year. Origin Access is the same price, with Origin Access Premier running at $ 14.99 per month rather than $ 99.99 per year.
Streamline is the key word; think of the effort WarnerMedia is going through at its end to try to recreate its home streaming services now under two simple options: HBO Max and HBO. By renaming the HBO Now and sunbathing HBO Go, it’s theoretically easier for consumers to find the service they want and sign up. EA probably hopes that combining EA Access and Origin Access under one banner will make it easier for people to shop. The move comes just as EA is preparing to bring its subscription services to Steam, and the rebrand is probably no coincidence.
“EA Access and Origin Access Basic will become EA Play, and Origin Access Premier will change to EA Play Pro,” the blog post notes, adding that EA “will add even more in the coming months, starting with exclusive in-game challenges and the monthly salary drops for members on selected titles. ”
Exclusives will include “challenges for early access and rewards such as Ultimate Team Packs, exclusive items for vanities, cosmetics and more”, but they may vary by title. As part of the change, EA’s annual EA Play event at E3 will be EA Play Live.
The changes to EA Access, Origin Access, and Origin Access Premier will take effect on August 18th.
Correction: An earlier version of this story gave the price of Origin Access Premier in Canadian dollars instead of in US dollars. We regret the mistake.
