Madden NFL 22 can now be downloaded as a timed trial with EA Play on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. The EA Access subscription service was rebranded as EA Play one year ago and has since been folded into Xbox Game Pass as well.

Subscribers to the base service will get 10 hours of playtime after which it will expire requiring a second EA Play account to get 10 more hours or the game to be purchased come release. The timer ticks down whenever the game is loaded regardless of whether it is being actively played, menus navigated, or if there is any activity taking place at all. Because of that make sure to exit out and close the application from the respective home screens when not in use.

The 10 hours are there to play immediately but can continue to be used even beyond release. Any progress made in the various modes and online results will carry over if a full copy is purchased. The complete game is available during the trial period.

EA Access launched July 2014 on Xbox One and later was joined by Origin Access on PC. After being prevented by Sony from releasing the service on PS4 it was finally cleared to launch on the system two years ago. It is now available on PS5 and Series X as well. EA Play includes the “Vault” which offers unlimited play with nearly every game from the company’s catalog this generation, 10% off all digital purchases, and the ability to play games up to five days before they release with a limited timed trial. EA Play is $30 for a full year or $5 month-to-month or is included with an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Madden NFL 22 features a substantial slate of Franchise improvements, enhanced gameday atmosphere, player data driving AI decisions, and unique homefield advantages.

With just two months to go until release EA Sports has revealed the first details on what to expect from Madden NFL 22. When EA Play was pushed back until July it became evident a rollout would be happening independent of that and it includes news on gameplay and Franchise Mode.

-Gameday Atmosphere: connects players to their NFL fandom through the crowds, environments, and presentation elements that enhance and impact every game.

-Gameday Momentum: performance-based mechanics, including Home Field Advantage which provides a unique game condition tailored to each NFL team’s stadium atmosphere, swing momentum, bringing the tangible influence of momentum to life on the field.

-Next Gen Stats Star-Driven AI: powered by real world player data that will evolve throughout the season, changes AI behavior and team tendencies to make NFL superstars and the personality of each team more true-to-life.

-Franchise Mode: will make players feel more connected and in control of their team, with more detailed staff management and skill tree progression systems, and comprehensive weekly game strategy with a revamped Season Engine that keeps things fresh every week. Franchise will also continue to see improvements throughout the year via multiple live service updates.

Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes share the cover of the game. They return after appearing on Madden NFL 18 and Madden NFL 20 respectively. The game will release on August 20 for those who don’t pay extra to get it three days earlier on the 17th. The 10 hour trial through the EA Play subscription service should begin prior to then as well.