Electronic Arts and Criterion Games confirm that the newly announced Need for Speed Unbound racing game will have a free trial available for EA Play and certain Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Need for Speed Unbound is planned to launch on December 2 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, the latest release in the ever-popular Need for Speed franchise. As an Electronic Arts-published game, its release will come with all the benefits any other Electronic Arts game would include.One of the main benefits of subscribing to EA Play, Electronic Arts' house subscription service, is early access to all the publisher's biggest releases. A subscription costs $4.99 a month and players receive up to 10 hours of access to new games days before they fully launch. Alternatively, the EA Play Pro subscription costs $14.99 and grants unlimited access to games leading up to launch. For fans of Madden, FIFA, and Need for Speed, it's a great opportunity to get ahead of the competition.Due to a partnership between Electronic Arts and Microsoft, the base EA Play subscription is included with all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, as well as EA Play on PC for Xbox Game Pass for PC subscribers. That means that these Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have the benefit of 10 hours of access to Need for Speed Unbound prior to launch. The trial will officially unlock on November 29, allowing players three days to make the most of their 10-hour free trial before the game fully launches.
In addition to the free trial, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers and PC subscribers will also have access to an exclusive 10% discount for digital purchases of Electronic Arts games. That should bring Need for Speed Unbound's price down from $70 to $63, though the discount won't be available for those hoping to purchase a physical copy of the new racing game.
It has been several years since the last Need for Speed game, as Need for Speed Heat was delivered in 2019. The opportunity to play Need for Speed Unbound early could certainly attract racing game fans to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass just for the benefit. Otherwise, it's a great opportunity for current Xbox Game Pass subscribers to try the new game out and see if it suits them.
To be clear, those with a standard Xbox Game Pass subscription for Xbox consoles will not receive this benefit. EA Play is only unlocked for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers (for all supported platforms) and Xbox Game Pass for PC subscribers. Alternatively, console users on Xbox or PlayStation can get the 10 hours of free trial for $4.99 with a standard EA Play subscription.
Need for Speed Unbound releases December 2 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.