While Madden NFL 22 hasn't been officially announced yet, it's a safe bet the game will be getting an unveiling sometime this spring. In fact, if Electronic Arts sticks to its usual script, there should be an announcement about when Madden NFL 22 is coming in the next few weeks. After the next installment in the long-running series is confirmed, the biggest question surrounding the title is "how is it going to arrive?" There were some happenings in the video game world over the last few months that might suggest that Xbox Game Pass subscribers won't have to pay extra in order to play this year's version.

There are some possible positives and negatives when it comes to adding Madden NFL 22 to Game Pass. Those positives and negatives apply to the company making the move and the people who might be playing it. In the end, it feels as though this might be the next logical step, considering the moves that Microsoft has already made this year.

RELATED: Madden NFL 21 Controversy Explained

The Existing EA Play Integration

madden nfl 22 likely coming to game pass

The first and best argument for this year's installment coming to Game Pass is that Electronic Arts and Microsoft already have a working relationship. While EA Play and Game Pass were once separate subscription services, they are now, effectively, one. Xbox Game Pass has gotten plenty of EA's sports games on the platform since they integrated. It stands to reason that, since the two services really are interconnected, Microsoft might work out a deal that would get the next game to hit the service earlier.

There is also the fact that EA Play subscribers do get free access to the Madden NFL games right around launch day. That access is only for 10 hours of playtime, but still, Electronic Arts has shown a willingness to let its subscribers play the game for free. It doesn't seem like a stretch that the two companies could work out a deal where it's quite a bit more than 10 hours.

Big Name Games No Stranger To Game Pass

outriders deluxe edition cover art

While well-known games like Gears 5 land on Xbox Game Pass because Microsoft is publishing those games, the service appears to be branching out in a big way. Earlier this month, Outriders launched on Game Pass the same day it launched everywhere else. On April 20, MLB The Show 21, a game developed by a studio owned by Sony, will also release, day and date, on Xbox Game Pass. That's also big news because this is the first time any MLB The Show game has been offered on any other platform than PlayStation. Microsoft is willing to go outside its own studios for some of the bigger games to release this spring, so it's not a reach to think the company will go hard after adding one of the biggest sports games around to Game Pass this fall.

Bang For The Bucks

Patrick Mahomes running with the ball in Madden NFL 21

There is one other reason why Microsoft might push for Madden to be on Game Pass, but also why Electronic Arts would listen to overtures. The release of Madden NFL 21 was met with quite a bit of vitriol. There's at least some chance that, if Madden NFL 22 gets released on Game Pass, it might blunt a bit of the criticism. Being willing to offer a game with the profile of something like this on a subscription service where people don't have to pay anything extra in order to play it can go a long way towards helping mend fences when it comes to the fan base.

Madden NFL 22 has not been announced yet.

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