EA Sports' Season Ticket Subscription Service Has Launched.

For an annual fee of $24.99 — the service is not currently available in Europe on PS3 — EA Season Ticket will allow you to get early access to EA Sports titles, discounted DLC, premium web content and membership recognition.

The first game to take advantage of the subscription model will be Madden NFL 12, which launches later this month. Future titles will include FIFA, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, NHL Hockey and NCAA Football.

Season ticket holders will get access to new EA Sports titles three days before release, via digital distribution. This allows you to, for example, download Madden and start playing before the game is available on store shelves. Once the game releases your digital download version will cease to operate, but all your data and trophies will carry across when you go and buy your retail copy from the store. DLC will also be reduced by 20 percent for subscribers.

In addition, subscribers will get premium web content, such as the ability to customise teams and create tournaments with an easier online interface.

But for $24.99 there doesn't seem to be a huge amount of value here. Even actively engaged, hardcore EA Sports fans are going to find it difficult to get excited about being able to play a new game three days before release — after all, here in the UK, ShopTo.net effectively provides that service without a premium.