EA has a cloud gaming service called Project Atlas on the way, and it has a closed beta that will be opening up tonight for a few individuals.
To be a part of the closed beta, there are two things you’ll need to sort out. It’s also worth remembering that not everyone will get in. This is a closed beta, after all.
To playtest the cloud gaming service you will need an Origin account
You will need an Origin account to gain access. That may seem like a given, and despite how obvious it may be it has to be said.
If you’re already an Origin member then the next thing you’ll need to do is opt into the community playtesting feature. You can do this from here.
What this does is open you up to potential opportunities for being selected for closed betas. It isn’t just for the Project Atlas either. This is also how EA selected people for the Anthem beta earlier this year.
The beta starts at 10pm pst tonight
The beta is just around the corner and will begin promptly at 10pm PST on September 9, which is this evening.
It will run for two weeks and during that time everyone that is selected will be able to play to their heart’s content. That is, within the restrictions of the play test.
The good news is the restrictions seem to be limited to which games you can play. Since the beta starts this evening, you’ll want to sign up as soon as possible and keep an eye on your email.
There are four games included
All told there are only four games that are part of the beta. This includes popular hits like Titanfall 2.
In addition to Titanfall 2, players will also have access to FIFA 19, Need For Speed Rivals, and Unravel. If this sounds like a small list, it is, and there’s a reason for that.
EA seems to be taking things in strides with cloud gaming. The announcement was made on Medium by EA’s CTO Ken Moss earlier today. In it, he notes that cloud gaming is no loner a question of if, but when.
He also highlights the fact that it’s “still early days” for EA’s cloud gaming vision. This is more than likely why there are only a small handful of games included. Because EA still has lots of things to work out before Project Atlas is in full swing.
Things to remember are that this is a technical trial. This means EA is probably going to be testing how everything works from a technology standpoint. There will also probably be some bugs.
This is breaking new ground for the company. So like Google’s Project Stream (which later became Stadia), EA’s Project Atlas will have a lot that needs to be focused on before it moves forward.