Xbox Series X and Series S release announcements aren’t the only surprises Microsoft has in store this week. They also have partnered up with Electronic Arts to bundle the EA Play subscription into Game Pass Ultimate for Xbox and PC at no additional cost starting “this holiday.” Yep, that means for the same price, you’re getting more than 160 console and PC games from both Game Pass and EA Play, xCloud streaming service, and Xbox Live as well. This is practically like stealing video games!
Considering today is also PlayStation’s 25th birthday, this move could be seen as Microsoft flexing their unique digital strategy at Sony. Especially since PS Now isn’t as popular and Game Pass is ready to connect Xbox, PC, and mobile into one ecosystem at this point.
Microsoft confirmed that both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($15 per month) and Game Pass for PC ($10 per month) subscribers would be eligible for this free upgrade later this year. And both will get access to all “the best of EA,” including:
- More than 60 console and PC EA-published titles such as FIFA 2020, Titanfall 2, Need for Speed Heat, Battlefield, Mass Effect, Skate, and The Sims.
- Exclusive in-game challenges and rewards, special member-only content, discounts on DLC, and games.
- 10-hour trials for newly released games.
The team’s been building up the Game Pass ecosystem harder than ever this year. Even back in early August, Microsoft, along with Samsung, announced that they are offering a Galaxy Note 20 gaming bundle that includes free three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with MOGA XP5-X Plus mobile controller to show off the potential of the xCloud streaming service.
If you have no interest in getting a Game Pass membership, could this partnership with third-parties be the answer? Will Microsoft bundle their subscription with another service later, like Ubisoft’s Uplay+, one day? Let us know what you think of this exciting move in the comments below.
