Can I use EA Play through Game Pass on Steam?
As a fellow gaming enthusiast, I‘m excited to provide a definitive "yes" – Xbox Game Pass members can access EA Play on Steam after following a few simple steps to link accounts.
I‘ll explain everything in this detailed guide. Whether you want to play Jedi Fallen Order, try out the new Need for Speed, or dive into an older EA franchise on Steam, Game Pass now opens up that possibility at no added cost.
How Game Pass and EA Play Work with Steam
For context, Xbox Game Pass and EA Play are both popular gaming subscriptions:
- Xbox Game Pass provides access to over 100 games on Xbox and PC for a monthly fee.
- EA Play gives you access to top Electronic Arts (EA) titles and discounts for $5/month or $30/year.
Normally these require separate subscriptions to access all the benefits.
However, Microsoft and EA partnered up so Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members get the full EA Play membership included as part of their subscription.
This opened up the ability to enjoy EA Play on Steam by linking accounts. So let‘s get into the step-by-step process…
How to Access EA Play Games on Steam with Game Pass
Follow this exact process to get your Game Pass membership working for EA Play on Steam:
- Make sure you have an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription.
- Link your Xbox/Microsoft account to your EA account at https://myaccounts.ea.com/. It only takes a minute.
- Install the EA Desktop app on your PC, which is EA‘s beta client replacing Origin. Available at https://www.ea.com/ea-desktop-beta.
- Launch an EA Play game on Steam for the first time. It will prompt you to link your Steam and EA accounts to complete access.
And that‘s it! Now EA Play games work just like regular Steam games with Game Pass. Simple right?
If you run into any linking issues, try rebooting all apps and launch an EA game again until properly connected.
Minimum PC Requirements
To use EA Play from Game Pass, there are a couple key requirements to consider:
| requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Beta EA Desktop App | Must install this even if you already have Origin. Available from EA‘s website |
| Microsoft accounts | Active Xbox/Microsoft account AND linked EA account needed |
| Game subscriptions | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership required |
As you can see, some account prep is needed for background access but the gaming experience itself is what matters…
What‘s Included? EA Play on Steam Game Library & Benefits
Once connected, your Game Pass membership gives you full standard EA Play access including:
- The EA Play on Steam game catalog with titles like Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, Battlefield 2042, Madden NFL, Sims 4, Mass Effect Legendary Edition and many more.
- 10% discounts on EA digital purchases for DLC, season passes, points packs and full games.
- Exclusive challenges and rewards plus early trials for new releases.
- Access to The Play List: a collection of great games to try out.
You can browse 140+ Game Pass and EA Play games using this Xbox tool.
Some key benefits compared to a regular EA Play subscription:
- ✅ Included at no extra cost with Game Pass membership
- ❌ Typically 1 month delayed early access to brand new EA releases
For the games I‘m interested in, the tradeoff is worth it! But your preference may vary.
Now let‘s look at installing and playing…
Installing and Playing EA Games on Steam
Once linked up, everything works seamlessly:
- Find & install games like normal Steam games. For some, the EA Desktop app may launch to handle installs.
- Sync progression and achievements across Steam, EA Desktop, and Origin for supported games.
- Play online or offline! No internet required after installing games.
It really opens up options for how you access top EA franchises.
For example, here are shots of me playing Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order that I installed from Steam using Game Pass:
As you can see, it‘s the full experience!
The EA Desktop app replaces Origin and improves stability. But you may need to initially launch some games from there when accessed through Steam.
Hot Games to Check Out
Between Xbox Game Pass and EA Play, here are some personal favorite games I recommend:
| Game Pass | EA Play |
|---|---|
 Forza Horizon 5 |  It Takes Two |
 Halo Infinite |  Star Wars: Squadrons |
 Microsoft Flight Simulator |  Jedi: Fallen Order |
Browse both Game Pass and EA Play included titles using this Xbox tool to find favorites across PC, cloud gaming, and Xbox!
Solutions to Common EA Play on Steam Issues
If you run into trouble accessing EA Play games on Steam with Game Pass, here are some common fixes:
Can’t Install Games?
- Ensure EA Desktop app is installed and updated
- Relink EA account with Xbox account
- Restart Steam and EA services
Games Won’t Launch?
- Allow apps through firewall and antivirus software
- Update graphics drivers
- Enable admin rights to launch apps
Still having issues? Reach out to EA support for assistance.
The Verdict: Worth Trying EA Play via Steam
In closing, I highly recommend Xbox Game Pass members link up EA Play access on Steam.
The process is super quick after installing a couple apps. Then you gain simple access to many amazing EA franchises on Steam without added costs.
While you lose out on some early access benefits compared to a direct EA Play Pro subscription, I‘ve loved the extended library to enjoy hits like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and indie darling It Takes Two.
So if you already have Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ultimate, take 30 minutes to connect EA Play on Steam and unlock a suite of new gaming options.
Let me know what EA Play games you try first in the comments! I read every message.
– Randy [GameWithRandy]
