Xbox One the only console to play a Madden 15 demo

EA Sports will not release a demo of this year's Madden NFL 15, meaning the only people who will be free to try it without a purchase are Xbox One owners with an EA Access membership.

This news comes by way of EA Sports community manager Andrew Johnson, who responded to a question on Twitter by saying, "There will not be a Madden NFL 15 demo." An EA representative has since confirmed this is indeed the case with GameSpot, but would not provide any explanation for why.


The lack of a demo comes a surprise given that Madden is a series which ordinarily offers a demo each and every year. As an annual sports series where subtle refinements to the core gameplay are so critical, a demo can go a long way in convincing players that the latest game warrants a purchase.

The reaction so far, as you might imagine, has been extremely negative. EA recently announced EA Access, a subscription program for Xbox One that provides members with unlimited access to a selection of games for $5 per month or $30 per year. Other perks include discounts on DLC and early access to select games (which may be limited to a period of two hours).

One such game is Madden 15, which EA Access members will be able to play early. In lieu of a demo, this early access now becomes the only way to try Madden prior to its release. This is of concern to fans not only because demos for future EA games could be locked behind this paywall, but also because it means Xbox One--as the only platform that currently supports EA Access--is the only system that offers a way to demo Madden 15.