The US publisher Electronic Arts has significantly increased the prices for the gaming subscription "EA Play". Existing customers have a grace period until the start in May.
From orange juice to chocolate - everything has become more expensive. Games publishers are also struggling with cost pressure. Electronic Arts has now significantly increased the prices for the subscription service "EA Play". New customers now pay 5,99 euros per month instead of the previous 3,99 euros, or 39,99 euros with annual debit (previously: 24,99 euros).
Electronic Arts also combines the obvious price increase with a dash of shrinkflation in "EA Play". We know this from supermarkets: some products have less content for more money. This is how companies usually increase prices twice in order to increase their profit margin.
In the specific case of the 5,99 Euro offer from EA Play, this means that there are now only five hours of play time for the trial versions. Previously it was ten. Electronic Arts is thus halving this service. However, access to the selected games that can be played remains unaffected: such as Battlefield 2042 or Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
“EA Play Pro” is also becoming significantly more expensive
The price increase for the subscription service “EA Play Pro” is also significant at two euros. This represents a rise of around 13 percent. New customers will now have to pay 16,99 euros instead of the previous 14,99 euros, but will be able to access the games library of Electronic Arts and play without limits. Those who pay annually will pay 119,99 euros. Previously it was 99,99 euros.
The basic EA Play plan is still included at no extra cost in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for 14,99 euros and the PC Game Pass for 9,99 euros per month. Fans can play titles such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor or Madden NFL 24 in the higher-priced subscription tier.
Although Electronic Arts - like other publishers - are struggling with the increase in costs due to the global situation, but that does not change the fact that the "EA Play" gaming subscription may have become significantly less attractive for some fans. Because: Unlike other premium subscriptions such as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Ubisoft Plus Premium, new releases at EA do not appear in the subscription library when they are released, but often with a noticeable delay.
According to Electronic Arts, there is still a grace period for existing customers: the increases will only take effect from May onwards.
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