EA Scratches Charitable Itch, Gives Free Weeklong Game Trials For PC, Xbox One And PlayStation 4
Electronic Arts has found itself in a giving mood lately (again). During the game publisher's EA Play event on Friday, EA boss Andre Wilson stepped on stage to announce that the company is providing a week of free gaming through its Origin Access and EA Access services for PC and Xbox One, respectively. And if you're a PlayStation 4 owner, you're also getting a free trial for some of EA's games on PS4.
The free trial is EA's way of thanking gamers for participating in a recent Play to Give event in which players could complete in in-game challenges during June 2-4 to raise funds. Millions of gamers took part in the event en route to a $1 million donation from EA made in support of anti-bullying.
"All of you—our many millions of players out there—showed your support," Wilson said. "You came out to play, as more than 5.7 million active players participated in the Play to Give in-game challenges from June 2-4. We were moved by your tremendous show of support. As a thank you, we're ensuing all of you some of our best EA games—for free—today through June 18 as we celebrate play."
Gamers who sign up for Origin Access between now and June 18 can claim a free 7-day trial with unfettered access to a catalog of more than 70 PC games. Origin Access members also get to try new EA games before they're released and save 10 percent on Origin purchases.
Likewise, Xbox One gamers with a Live Gold subscription have the same offer through EA Access. In both cases, gamers have to subscribe to a monthly plan ($4.99 per month) or an annual subscription ($29.99 per year), either of which can be cancelled at anytime.
PS4 gamers are not being left out in the cold. EA said there will be free trials for some of its PS4 games, including Madden NFL 17, FIFA 17, Titanfall 2, EA Sports UFC 2, and Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare. And for PS4 players who own Star Wars Battlefront, EA is giving free access to all DLC maps and heroes through June 18.
The free trial is EA's way of thanking gamers for participating in a recent Play to Give event in which players could complete in in-game challenges during June 2-4 to raise funds. Millions of gamers took part in the event en route to a $1 million donation from EA made in support of anti-bullying.
"All of you—our many millions of players out there—showed your support," Wilson said. "You came out to play, as more than 5.7 million active players participated in the Play to Give in-game challenges from June 2-4. We were moved by your tremendous show of support. As a thank you, we're ensuing all of you some of our best EA games—for free—today through June 18 as we celebrate play."
Gamers who sign up for Origin Access between now and June 18 can claim a free 7-day trial with unfettered access to a catalog of more than 70 PC games. Origin Access members also get to try new EA games before they're released and save 10 percent on Origin purchases.
Likewise, Xbox One gamers with a Live Gold subscription have the same offer through EA Access. In both cases, gamers have to subscribe to a monthly plan ($4.99 per month) or an annual subscription ($29.99 per year), either of which can be cancelled at anytime.
PS4 gamers are not being left out in the cold. EA said there will be free trials for some of its PS4 games, including Madden NFL 17, FIFA 17, Titanfall 2, EA Sports UFC 2, and Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare. And for PS4 players who own Star Wars Battlefront, EA is giving free access to all DLC maps and heroes through June 18.
