Rebranding streaming services is very in these days across a number of entertainment industries, and EA is jumping on the trend by rebranding its EA Access and Origin Access services simply as EA Play.
There are no financial changes for customers, nor does the rebranding require any additional 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 for $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year. Origin Access is the same price, with Origin Access Premier running $14.99 a month or $99.99 a year.
Streamlining is the key word; think of the effort that WarnerMedia is going through on its end to try to rebrand its house of streaming services under two simple options now: HBO Max and HBO. By getting rid of the HBO Now name and sunsetting HBO Go, it’s theoretically easier for consumers to find the service they want and sign up for it. EA is likely hoping that combining EA Access and Origin Access under one banner will make it easier for people when shopping around. The move comes just as EA is preparing to bring its subscription services to Steam, and the rebrand is likely not a 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 is “adding even more in the coming months, starting with exclusive in-game challenges and monthly reward drops for members on select titles.”
Exclusives will include “early access challenges and rewards like Ultimate Team Packs, exclusive vanity items, cosmetics and more,” but will vary by title. As part of the change, EA’s annual EA Play event that occurs at E3 will become EA Play Live.
The changes to EA Access, Origin Access, and Origin Access Premier will go into effect on August 18th.
Correction: An earlier version of this story gave the price of Origin Access Premier in Canadian dollars rather than US dollars. We regret the error.
Author: Julia Alexander.
Source: Theverge
