EA has announced that its games will return to Steam following a rumor-filled period regarding a reunion with the gaming service.
The studio's titles will become available on the distribution platform once more, on the back of an eight-year estrangement, with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order set to be the game marking the return.
Fallen Order is due for a November 15 release but can be pre-ordered as of right now. The likes of The Sims 4 and Unravel 2 will join up before the end of this year, while games like Apex Legends, FIFA 20 and Battlefield 5 will become available therein in 2020. The aforementioned titles are all currently available via Origin.
The partnership will be in full bloom by spring next year, when gamers will have the option of subscribing to EA Access through Steam. The subscription will give players access to titles, early trials, discounts, DLC and various in-game items for $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year. Subscribers will also be able to play multiplayer titles like those mentioned above together with Origin users.
"Electronic Arts and Valve have partnered to put EA games into the hands of the players on Steam," EA's announcement reads. "Starting next spring, EA Access—our ever-growing subscription service powered by great games and member benefits—will be making its way to Steam. EA Access is the first and only gaming subscription service available on Steam, and the fourth platform featuring an EA subscription.
"The partnership kicks off with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order launching on November 15—and available for pre-order today. In the coming months, players on Steam will also be able to play other major titles like The Sims 4 and Unravel Two. Multiplayer games—like Apex Legends, FIFA 20, and Battlefield V—will become available next year, and players on both Origin and Steam will have the ability to play together."
“This is a good day for gamers,” Valve co-founder Gabe Newell added. “We’re excited to partner with EA to not only bring their great games and subscription service to Steam, but also to open up our communities to each other in an unprecedented way that will benefit players and developers around the world.”
EA pulled its PC games off Steam in 2011 after coming up with Origin but, despite the latter doing very well, they're now back together in what's suggested to be an attempt to unify the player base.
Source: EA.com