Gaming subscriptions have changed how people play, giving access to big libraries for a monthly fee. This One Gotta Go card puts four of them together: Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, Apple Arcade and EA Play.
Three subscriptions stay active, and one gets canceled forever. Think about the service you use every week, the one you forgot you were paying for and the one that changed how you play. Then make your pick and share the best game you discovered through a subscription.
Xbox Game Pass vs PlayStation Plus vs Apple Arcade vs EA Play
A. Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass gives players a big library of games, including many Microsoft games on the day they release. It is often called the best value in gaming. If you play on PlayStation or Nintendo, though, it is the obvious one for you to cut.
Keep it if: You love trying new games without buying each one and you play on Xbox or PC.
B. PlayStation Plus
PlayStation Plus is needed for online multiplayer on PlayStation, with higher tiers that add a library of games. It is essential for PlayStation players. If you do not own a PlayStation, it is the simplest subscription to let go.
Keep it if: You play online on PlayStation every week and enjoy the monthly games that come with it.
C. Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade offers games with no ads and no in-app purchases on iPhone, iPad and Mac. It is great for families and casual players. Serious gamers may find the library too light, which makes it a common cut.
Keep it if: You play on your phone or tablet and love games without ads or surprise charges for your kids.
D. EA Play
EA Play gives access to EA games like sports titles and early trials of new releases. It has loyal fans. It is also included in some Game Pass tiers, which makes it feel extra for many players and an easy cut.
Keep it if: You play EA sports games every year and love getting early access trials before launch.
Our take
We would cut EA Play. It is useful for sports fans, but it overlaps with Game Pass and focuses on one publisher, while the other three each open up a whole platform. The most fun debate usually comes down to Game Pass against PlayStation Plus, since it is really the Xbox against PlayStation question. Ask everyone which subscription they would keep if they could only pay for one, and the console loyalty will show right away. Then share the best game you would never have tried without a subscription, because almost every gamer has one of those stories.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which subscription changes how you play the most?
- Is Game Pass the best value in gaming?
- Do you still buy games, or mostly play from subscriptions?
- What gaming subscription would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Gaming Subscriptions: quick answers
Is EA Play included in Xbox Game Pass?
EA Play has been included with certain Xbox Game Pass tiers, including the top tier, which gives subscribers access to many EA games. The exact details change over time, so check Microsoft's current plan list before you subscribe.
Do you need PlayStation Plus to play online?
For most paid games on PlayStation, you need a PlayStation Plus membership to play online multiplayer. Free to play games like Fortnite usually do not require it. Higher PlayStation Plus tiers also add a catalog of games to download. Prices and tiers change from time to time, so check the official PlayStation site before you pick one.
