EA Sports has launched a new “Season Ticket” program for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. This $25 annual subscription program gives sports fans early access to some goodies and exclusive access to others. Franchises covered in the program include Madden NFL Football, NHL Hockey, FIFA Soccer, Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf, and NCAA Football. Here’s what you’ll get with EA Sports Season Ticket.
- Early Full-Game Digital Access: Three days before a game’s scheduled release, fans will be able to download and play the full version of all five participating titles on Xbox 360 and PS3. The digitally downloaded game will time out when the game is available at retail and consumers have the option to purchase the same full game on disc at retail. EA Sports Season Ticket subscribers can transfer all achievements earned during the three-day download period to the purchased disc, resulting in an early edge over the competition.
- Discounted Downloadable Content: Subscribers will get a 20-percent discount on all available downloadable content for participating EA Sports titles. Downloadable content, which enhances and refreshes the core game experience, includes such items as Ultimate Team packs, accelerator packs and gear upgrades.
- Free Premium Web Content: Premium web content extends the game experience beyond the console to a web browser. All participating titles will feature premium web content that will be free to EA Sports Season Ticket members beginning with the premium Creation Center packs for FIFA Soccer 12. These packs provide a deeper set of customization tools and abilities within Creation Center to build your own teams and tournaments, and will be available to the consumer until the membership to the program has expired.
- Membership Recognition: Subscribers are easily identifiable with an exclusive membership recognition badge displayed both in-game and on their EASPORTS.com profile.
If you’re into most of the games covered by Season Ticket then this sounds like a great deal. If you’re only into one or two of the games listed then not so much. If you’re not into sports games then why are you even reading this article?!?
Are any of you down to buy an EA Sports Season Ticket? Please vote in today’s poll and let me know what you think of the program in the comments section!
[poll id=”127″]
I didn't read it but I am going to say no, I own 0 EA Sports games.
I read the article to show my support lol. Even though I don't play EA Sports games I think the discount should be higher (30-40%) to lure in the people who only have one or two EA Sports games.
It might be worth it, but just not to me. I don't actually play ANY sports games. Pretty much I wouldn't do this for any game though. I think the $60 I spend on them should cover everything.
So if you buy Madden every year why would you pay $25 to play 3 days earlier? It will probably take a while on day 1 to pull it down. Even worse if you are metered.
I didn't think of that, good point.
Because you get special recognition on your EASports.com profile.
Only worth it if it says: "I overpaid for Madden by $80 this year!!"
LOL!! Achievement Unlocked: "Made John Riccitiello Happy" 50G.
-M
Oh that's good!
If that $25 included any DLC for free (not just 20% off) I would consider it. Otherwise no.
I play all of those games, And I think it's a joke.
Play the game 3 days early, ok, that's pretty cool…but it's basically like paying for a demo since it goes away on launch day.
And then don't even get me into my thoughts on the damn micro-transactions they're cramming into all the sports games these days. I don't want a discount on that crap, I want them to either make it free or get rid of it. Why should I have to pay more for a recruiting ad visor in NCAA Football, etc….
Web content is free if you buy the season ticket? Anyone else see the irony in that?
Whatever. Not the least bit interested in this "deal."
I havent bought madden in 3 years and i was going to buy one along with Fifa but now this "deal" is turning me from doing so. Added $25 to get a discount on DLC! Whatever! I should get all the DLC for free not at a discounted rate.
I havent bought madden in 3 years and i was going to buy one along with Fifa but now this "deal" is turning me from doing so. Added $25 to get a discount on DLC! Whatever! I should get all the DLC for free not at a discounted rate.
My question is… out of those 3 days, how long will it take to download the game? I mean, on Xbox, I could see it taking like 3 hours. But on PS3… You may only get to play for 3 hours if you started the DL as soon as possible.
(No flame bait… but that was a little exaggerated)
The only game on that list I give a damn about is Hockey. EA's hockey game is absolutely awesome every year. However… I don't see it worthwhile just for hockey.
P.S. GO PENS!!! and how 'bout them Buccos?
Fore!!!
Why should DLC be free?
I agree here, I would prefer free DLC if you are already paying for this special membership. Either way this does not seem worth it to me at all. Also agreeing with Nightshade, the microtransactions are ridiculous. I understand that it is a current game model, but not one I have ever bought in to. This seems great for those sports gamers only out there, but my copy of Madden '10 is still working just fine. I will get the newest NBA 2K game this year most likely because my copy is '08, and my wife (still getting used to not typing fiance) loves playing that game with me so a new copy is warranted. We only play each other though, and don't really care about any of the options that this sports pass is offering.
If I was going to give EA that kind of money, I'd buy one share of their stock (currently $21.31) for the year and then have $3.69 left over to buy an EA game off of Ebay… which is just about what most EA games are worth to me.
-M