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Play Battlefield 2042: EA Play & Xbox Game Pass Access Guide

Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Battlefield 2042 gameplay on Xbox Game Pass and EA Play.

Upon its highly anticipated launch in late 2021, the availability of a 10-hour trial for Battlefield 2042 was a major topic of discussion for EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Today, the situation has evolved significantly: the trial period is a thing of the past, and the full Battlefield 2042 experience is now included as a core part of both subscription services.

This guide explains the current access, how it began with the original trial, and how you can jump into the action today.

From Pre-Launch Trial to Full Library Access

For years, a key perk of an EA Play subscription—and by extension Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes EA Play—has been the 10-hour early access trials for major EA releases. This "try-before-you-buy" opportunity is crucial for large-scale games like the Battlefield series.

When Battlefield 2042 approached its November 2021 launch, players rightly anticipated this trial. After a brief period of community speculation, EA confirmed that a 10-hour trial was indeed available for subscribers starting in early November 2021, ahead of the game's official release. This allowed players to download the full game and experience its All-Out Warfare, Hazard Zone, and Portal modes. As is standard, any progress made during the trial seamlessly carried over for those who purchased the full game.

Fast forward to late 2022, and Battlefield 2042's relationship with the subscription services took the next logical step. The game was officially added to The Play List (formerly the EA Play Vault), granting all EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members full, unrestricted access to the game without the 10-hour time limit.

Understanding Your Subscription Benefits

To grasp how you can play Battlefield 2042, it's essential to understand what these services offer:

  • EA Play: Electronic Arts' subscription service provides access to a large library of EA titles, exclusive in-game rewards, a 10% discount on EA digital purchases, and early access trials for select new games.
  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Microsoft's all-in-one subscription includes Game Pass for Console and PC, online multiplayer access, and Cloud Gaming. Crucially, it also bundles a full EA Play membership at no extra cost, inheriting all its benefits.

Because EA Play is included with Game Pass Ultimate (and PC Game Pass), subscribers to those Microsoft tiers can download and play the full version of Battlefield 2042 today as part of their existing membership.

How to Access and Play Battlefield 2042 Today

If you're a subscriber, getting into the game is straightforward:

  1. Ensure Your Subscription is Active: You need an active subscription to either EA Play (on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox) or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate / PC Game Pass.
  2. Link Your Accounts (for Game Pass Users): If you're playing on Xbox, the integration is seamless. On PC, you will need to install the EA app and link your Xbox account to your EA account. The process is typically prompted when you install your first EA Play game through the Xbox app.
  3. Find and Install the Game: Search for "Battlefield 2042" on your platform's store (e.g., Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store) or directly within the EA Play or Xbox app.
  4. Download and Play: Select the standard edition of the game that is marked as "Included with EA Play" or "Included with Game Pass" and begin your download.

The Enduring Value of Trials and The Play List

The journey of Battlefield 2042 on these services highlights a major benefit for modern gamers. The initial 10-hour trial served its purpose perfectly, allowing players to make informed purchasing decisions and test the game's performance on their hardware at launch.

The game's later inclusion in the full EA Play library demonstrates the long-term value of these subscriptions. It gives the game a second life, introducing it to a massive new audience who may have been hesitant to buy it at full price. This model benefits players by providing a steady stream of high-quality games and helps sustain a healthy player base for online titles long after their initial release window.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Battlefield 2042 free on Game Pass? Battlefield 2042 is not free-to-play, but the full game is included with an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription, thanks to the bundled EA Play membership.

Is it the full game or just a trial? While a 10-hour trial was offered before the game's launch in 2021, subscribers now have access to the full, complete version of Battlefield 2042 with no time restrictions.

Do I need to link an EA account to play on Game Pass? Yes. To access EA Play titles through Xbox Game Pass on either console or PC, you must link your Xbox account to an EA account.

What should I do if the EA app says my Game Pass has expired? Occasionally, server-side issues can cause the EA app to fail to recognize an active Game Pass subscription. The typical fixes include restarting the EA and Xbox apps, clearing the EA app's cache, or simply waiting for the temporary service issue to be resolved by EA or Microsoft.

Does progress from the original 10-hour trial carry over? Yes. If you played the original trial back in 2021, all your progress, including levels and unlocks, is tied to your EA account and will be there when you play the full game through your subscription.