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[Update]: EA Sports Rolls Out Its Season Ticket
[Update]: We've got some new details regarding EA Sports' Season Ticket paid-subscription program for the PS3 and Xbox 360.
I've talked to EA communications director Jen Riley, who clarified a few points:
- Your save data during the early access period will transfer over to the retail release once it comes out, so you won't have to start all over again. The Ultimate Team feature won't be available during the early access period, however.
- When asked if other titles would be added to the list of Season Ticket games, Riley said that EA would "continue to evolve the program," but at this time only the five annual franchises listed were available.
- Is the Season Ticket the same as the EA Sports ID program named earlier? No. Riley: "EA Sports has a broad-reaching vision of connectivity between platforms and franchises, and what we are announcing today with EA Sports Season Ticket is the first iteration of one of the foundational elements to provide great digital benefits to our core customers. In addition to evolving Season Ticket based on user feedback, our broader plans will continue to include connected services that deepen our players’ connections to the sports and games they love."
[Original Story]: Today EA Sports has unveiled its Season Ticket paid-subscription program for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It seems that earlier rumors about the initiative are true, but is this all there is?
For an annual fee of $24.99 or 2000 Microsoft Points, gamers can access perks for five games, starting with Madden NFL 12 and including the following series: NHL, FIFA, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, and NCAA Football.
The season pass gives you:
- Early Access: Program participants can download and play the full versions of the five games three days before the game hits retail shelves. This digital download will then lock once the game is widely available.
- Discounted DLC: Subscribers get a 20-percent discount on all DLC for the games.
- Free Premium Web Content: The only web content detailed so far is premium Creation Center packs for FIFA 12 that give you extra options in creating your own teams and tourneys on your browser for use in the game. However, these will only be available to you while you are signed up for the program.
- Membership badge: This will show up in games and on your EA Sports.com profile.
Earlier rumors mentioned SSX being included in the program, but at this time it's not. As currently outlined, there is also no mention of your DLC migrating from year-to-year, free DLC, or EA's earlier talk about a persistent leveling and ID system.
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