EA Origin Access Premier: Games, Price & What You Need To Know

Announced during EA Play at E3 2018, EA’s Origin Access Premier takes the fundamentals of Origin Access and dials them up to eleven. If you’re at all familiar with Xbox Game Pass, Origin Access Premier will be familiar to you as it gives you new EA games from day one as part of its subscription.

The PC-only service has been the talk of the town since it was announced, but how does it work and what do you get for your money? It’s a little complex, so strap in and discover all you need to know about Origin Access Premier.

 

Origin Access Premier: The Basics

So, with Origin Access Premier you will have to have an Origin account; there’s been no news on this coming to Xbox One for EA Access, let alone PS4.

Here’s what it is in simple terms:

“Origin Access Premier is a new membership tier that gives you unlimited access to the latest and greatest EA games before anyone else. Imagine paying one low monthly or annual fee and getting to play new EA PC titles before launch. Not a Play First Trial, you get access to the full game – yours to play whenever you want for as long as you’re a Premier member. No gates – no barriers. That’s the Premier experience.”

 

Origin Premier Access: The Games

Not only will you receive all of the games already available as part of the Origin Access vault, but you will also be able to download EA games five days before general release.

Games coming to the service:

– Unravel Two
– FIFA 19
– Anthem
– A Way Out
– Madden NFL 19
– Battlefield V

 

What happens to current Origin Access subscribers?

Anyone currently signed up to Origin Access will be converted into a “basic” subscriber, which will still be the same cost and have the same benefits. You will be able to upgrade at any time. However, you will not be able to download and then unsubscribe to Premier and keep your games; if you do not have an active membership, the games will be unplayable.

 

What are the Origin Access Premier benefits?

As mentioned, you will be able to play games long before those who go retail, which is seemingly another push by the industry to push retail closer to death’s door. Game Pass tanked Gamestop shares when it was announced, so expect Premier to hit stores hard, too.

As well as early games, Origin Access Premier will also bring 10% discounts on all products in the Origin store, though considering how expensive it typically is, this won’t be a massive change to the price. As mentioned, you will have access to the vaulted Origin Access games like basic subscribers.

 

How much does Origin Access Premier Cost?

Origin Access Premier will cost $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year, which is a massive upgrade on Origin Access as it stands. Origin Access currently costs $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year, but if you wanted Battlefield V and Anthem, you’ve already received your money’s worth through Premier by saving you $20 on the RRP of both games of $120. The service will cost £14.99 per month or £89.99 per year in the UK.

 

When will Origin Access Premier launch?

EA have tentatively pencilled in this summer as a release window for Premier, though as we’re already in summer, you shouldn’t have to wait too long. You can sign up to their mailing list to receive new info as it arrives.

 

What’s our verdict on Origin Access Premier?

It’s a little early to form an opinion just yet, but signs are promising, even if the price hike might be a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. Unless you absolutely must have Anthem before anyone else, you could likely swerve Premier and stick with your basic plan.

However, as promising as it looks, it’s another monthly outgoing (unless you sign up to the annual membership) from your bank balance. These things stack up — for instance, if you have an Xbox One and PC, you could technically be paying for Game Pass, Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Now, and EA Access. It doesn’t seem like much individually, but when you add them all up each month, it’s a lot.

It’s also reminiscent of the situation we have with Netflix and its peers right now where if you want everything, you have to sign up for many different splintered subscriptions. It’s clear that publishers are trying to have constant customers who pay out each month instead of occasionally buying a new game. Plus, where does it end? Origin Access Premier Ultra Omega?