Can I use EA Play on PS5 if I have Game Pass?
As a long-time PlayStation gamer with subscriptions to both EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, I‘ve enjoyed the best of both gaming worlds. Xbox Game Pass grants you an EA Play membership at no extra cost – meaning access to over 180 EA titles on PlayStation consoles.
Based on my experience, here‘s a comprehensive guide on how to leverage EA Play on your PS5 through Microsoft‘s popular game subscription.
The Convenience of Cross-Platform EA Gaming
EA Play comes included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which runs $15/month. This grants you access to 100+ high-quality Xbox/PC games, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and – relevant for PlayStation owners – a full EA Play membership.
Subscribing to EA Play alone costs $5/month or $30/year. So landing it bundled with Game Pass is excellent value. Especially considering you can enjoy all the benefits across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Having personally subscribed to both, I found the convenience of accessing EA titles like FIFA, Madden, and Star Wars through my Xbox login irresistible. Despite owning a PS5, I cancelled my standalone EA Play membership in favor of the Game Pass bundle.
Top PlayStation Games Available via EA Play
Reviewing the EA Play game catalogue accessible on PS5, these titles stand out:
| FIFA 23 | Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order |
| Madden NFL 23 | Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville |
| It Takes Two | Unraveled Two |
FIFA 23 on PS5 offers blazing fast load times of just 2 seconds thanks to the console‘s ultra-high speed SSD. And native 4K visuals paired with DualSense controller haptics takes the experience to new levels of immersion.
As EA Play members, you also get special Ultimate Team rewards, exclusive in-game challenges, special cosmetic items and player unlocks.
Step-by-Step: How to Setup EA Play on PS5 with Game Pass
Follow these steps to start accessing your EA Play benefits on PS5:
- Link your Xbox & EA Accounts: On your phone/PC, visit EA Account Settings and choose to link your Xbox Gamertag under "Gaming Accounts". Input your Microsoft login when prompted.
- Install EA Play App on PS5: Boot up your PS5 and go to the PlayStation Store. Search for and download the free "EA Play" app.
- Sign-in via EA Play App: Launch the newly installed EA Play app on your PS5. Sign-in using the EA Account you just linked to your Xbox profile.
- Start Downloading Titles! You now have unlocked the full EA Play games catalogue on your PlayStation 5. Browse and start installing any title that catches your fancy.
When signing into the EA Play PS5 app for the first time, be sure you don‘t accidentally create a new EA Account. You want to sign-in specifically with the account linked to your Xbox Gamertag in order to recognize your EA Play membership status.
If running into login issues, double check that your accounts are properly connected at the EA linking page mentioned in step 1.
Comparing Standalone vs Bundled EA Play
How does value stack up between buying EA Play solo versus accessing it through Game Pass?
| Option | Price (USD) | Games | Perks |
| EA Play Alone | $5/month $30/year | 180+ EA titles | Special member rewards |
| EA Play via Game Pass Ultimate | $15/month | 180+ EA titles 100+ Xbox/PC games | EA rewards + Xbox Perks |
When weighed side-by-side, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate clearly offers way more bang for your buck. For an extra $10 monthly over a standalone EA Play sub, you quadruple your game library with 100+ Xbox/PC picks like Halo, Forza, and Flight Simulator.
Plus you still get full access to the EA catalogue at no extra cost. As the icing on top, Xbox Game Pass members receive additional monthly Perk rewards – think free in-game content, partner service offers, consumable DLC packs and more.
The Verdict? Game Pass Bundling Can‘t Be Beat for Multi-Platform Gamers
Given the choice between maintaining separate EA Play and Xbox subscriptions versus consolidating under Game Pass Ultimate, I happily cancelled my standalone membership.
The convenience of accessing all my game libraries under a single login – even on PlayStation – is superb. And feeling like I‘m actually saving money while enjoying way more included games/perks is just gravy.
For console/PC gamers juggling multiple platforms, Game Pass Ultimate with bundled EA Play is arguably the best value in gaming today.
Reviewing the EA Play PS5 Game Catalogue & Top Titles
Across Xbox, PlayStation and PC, EA Play grants you unlimited access to a vast 180+ game strong catalogue. Available titles span popular franchise like Battlefield, Madden, Need for Speed, Plants vs Zombies, Star Wars, UFC, Unraveled and indie darling It Takes Two.
Let‘s spotlight some hit games upgraded to take advantage of PS5 power:
1. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
This beloved single-player adventure enjoys enhanced 60 FPS performance on PS5. The dynamic weather and particle effects of each planet come alive to create some truly jaw-dropping vistas. Fallen Order‘s lightsaber combat also feels intensely responsive thanks to DualSense controller haptics providing physical feedback with every strike and parry.
2. It Takes Two
The Game Awards‘ 2021 Game of the Year winner fully supports local/online co-op on PS5. Join the fantastical adventure with a friend and enjoy gorgeous 4K visuals at buttery-smooth 60 frames per second. Frequent use of DualSense mic input during minigames also helps take the chaotic fun to new heights!
3. Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
This creative online shooter supports crossplay between PS5 and PS4. So PlayStation fans can squad up regardless of whether they‘ve upgraded to next-gen yet. TheSocial Zone hub world also performs like a charm on PS5 hardware while maintaining splitscreen multiplayer functionality.
4. FIFA 23
I highlighted FIFA earlier, but can‘t overstate how incredible matches look and feel on PS5. Blazing fast load times, seamlessly integrated replay footage, the insane crowd detail. EA Sports has done an unbelievable job upgrading its soccer juggernaut for next-gen.
Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville brings its charming tower defense action online on PlayStation 5
The Road Ahead – What Does the Future Hold for EA Play on PlayStation?
The big question looking ahead – how much longer will EA and Sony maintain partnership on EA Play?
Despite allowing the subscription‘s inclusion across Xbox and PlayStation today, experts speculate it poses risk long-term for platform exclusivity deals. Especially with Game Pass proving such fierce competition.
Rumors suggest the EA Play agreement on PlayStation could dissolve by early 2024. Despite no formal announcements yet, industry insiders like Tom Henderson (@_TomHenderson) hear behind-the-scenes talks of renegotiation.
I keep hearing that EA Play won't be renewed on PlayStation from early 2024 onwards and will become a full Xbox ecosystem exclusive.
— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) January 24, 2023
Personally, I suspect EA Play's days on PlayStation could indeed be numbered. Microsoft and Xbox continue aggressivly investing in content and service acquisitions. Renewing terms with partners like EA seems an opportunity to capture exclusive benefits.
That said, no reason not to enjoy EA Play access on your PlayStation while the partnership remains intact! I plan on grinding my FIFA Ultimate Team and Star Wars Jedi character builds over the coming months.
Here‘s hoping we get at least another full year before any change in EA Play‘s cross-platform availability kicks in. I‘ll be sure to provide updates here if any new developments arise or announcements get made.
