You’re sitting there, looking at the Steam or PlayStation store page for A Way Out, and you see that price tag. It’s not huge, but it's there. Then you see something about a "Friends Pass." You might think it’s a demo. It isn’t. Josef Fares and the team at Hazelight Studios did something pretty wild back in 2018 that most publishers still won't touch: they made it so only one person has to own the game. Period.
It’s a co-op only experience. You literally cannot play this game alone. Because of that, the A Way Out Friends Pass exists to ensure your broke best friend doesn't have an excuse to bail on your prison break plans.
Most people get confused about how the invite system actually functions across different platforms. It’s not always a "one-click and you're in" situation, especially with the EA App's quirks or the transition from Origin. Honestly, the process is a bit clunky, but once you’re in, you’re playing the full, 100% uncut game without the second player spending a dime.
Why the A Way Out Friends Pass is still a unicorn in gaming
In an era of battle passes and microtransactions, a developer telling you to buy one copy for two people feels like a mistake. It wasn't. Fares has been vocal about this—if the game requires two people, forcing both to buy it feels like a tax on friendship.
The Friends Pass is essentially a free trial version of the game that stays "locked" until an owner invites the user. It’s different from a traditional demo because there is no "end of the level" screen that kicks you out. If the host owns the full game, the "trial" user can play from the opening cinematic in the prison yard all the way to the gut-wrenching finale.
You’ve got Leo and Vincent. One is hot-headed, the other is composed. The game forces you to synchronize. You’re sawing through bars while the other person keeps watch. You’re rowing a boat in tandem. If your partner had to pay $30 just to help you row a boat, you’d probably just go play Warzone. Hazelight knew this. They removed the friction.
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How to actually get it running without losing your mind
Let's talk logistics. Whether you are on PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, the core logic is the same, but the menus look different.
First, the person who doesn't own the game needs to head to their respective store. Search for "A Way Out." You'll see the full game, but you'll also see a version labeled "Free Trial" or "Friends Pass." Download that. It’s a big file. It’s the entire game’s assets, so don't expect a tiny 2GB download. You're looking at roughly 15-25GB depending on the platform.
The Invite Sequence
- The "Owner" boots up the full version of the game.
- They select "Play Online."
- They invite the "Friend" via their platform's friend list (PSN, Xbox Live, or EA App).
- The "Friend" accepts the invite through the trial version they just downloaded.
- Boom. You’re at the character selection screen.
There is a massive caveat people miss: Cross-play is non-existent. If you’re on a PC and your buddy is on a PS4, the A Way Out Friends Pass won't save you. You both have to be in the same ecosystem. It’s a bummer, especially since EA’s later title, It Takes Two, also uses the Friends Pass system but similarly restricts cross-platform play. If you're on PC, make sure you're both friends on the EA App specifically. The EA App is notoriously finicky with invites compared to the old Origin client. Sometimes you have to restart the app entirely to see the invite pop up in the overlay.
Common technical hurdles and "Is it really free?"
Yes. It is really free for the second person. However, console players often get hit with a hidden cost: subscription services.
Even though the game is "free" via the pass, Sony and Microsoft still want their cut for the "Online" part of "Play Online." This means both players usually need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core (formerly Xbox Live Gold). PC players get the best deal here because they just need an internet connection and the EA App.
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If you are playing via EA Play (the subscription service), you are considered an "Owner." This means if you have Game Pass Ultimate, which includes EA Play, you can invite anyone to use the Friends Pass. You don't "buy" the game; your subscription counts as ownership.
What about Local Co-op?
If you're sitting on the same couch, you don't need the Friends Pass at all. You just need one copy of the game and two controllers. The Friends Pass is strictly for the "I’m in my house and you’re in yours" scenario.
The psychological impact of the "Free" partner
There’s a weird dynamic that happens when one person owns the game and the other doesn’t. The owner becomes the "Director." But in A Way Out, the Friend Pass player has just as much agency.
I’ve seen games where the trial player thinks they have a limited experience. They don't. You get the same Trophies/Achievements? No. That’s the catch. Usually, the person playing for free via the Friends Pass does not earn achievements or trophies. If you’re a completionist, you’re going to have to buy your own copy. It’s a small price to pay for a free 6-hour narrative experience, but for some, those digital pings are dealbreakers.
Comparing A Way Out to It Takes Two
Hazelight refined this system for their next game, It Takes Two. While the A Way Out Friends Pass was the pioneer, the later version is slightly more stable. In A Way Out, the tone is gritty. You’re doing things like escaping a hospital or hunting in the woods. The split-screen is dynamic; sometimes your side of the screen is larger because your character is in a cutscene while the other player is still moving.
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This dynamic split-screen is hard on hardware. That’s why the "Trial" version is the full game download. Your console isn't just streaming a video; it's rendering half the world while your friend's console renders the other half. It’s a technical feat that many AAA studios avoid because it's a nightmare to optimize.
Practical Steps to get started tonight
If you're looking to dive in, don't just wing it. The EA servers can be picky. Follow these specific steps to ensure you don't spend two hours troubleshooting instead of playing:
- Verify the Version: Make sure the "Friend" downloads the specific "Trial" version. If they download a "Demo," it might not be the right file. Search specifically for "Friends Pass" in the store.
- Check the Subscription: If you're on console, ensure both of you have active online play subscriptions. This is the #1 reason the "Invite" button stays greyed out.
- EA App Sync: If you're on PC and bought the game on Steam, you still need the EA App. Both players should have the EA App open and be logged in before the host sends the invite.
- Host Selection: The person with the fastest internet or the best hardware should generally be the host, although the game uses a peer-to-peer hybrid system that usually holds up well.
- Commit to the Bit: This isn't a game you play in 15-minute chunks. Set aside two evenings. The game is roughly 6 to 8 hours long. Since you're using the Friends Pass, you can't swap who is "hosting" unless the other person also buys the game.
The A Way Out Friends Pass remains one of the most pro-consumer moves in the history of EA-published titles. It recognizes that gaming is better with friends, and sometimes, the best way to sell a game is to let someone play the whole thing for free so they'll tell ten other people about it.
Grab a friend, pick who plays as Leo, and start the download. Just remember: when the screen splits, keep your eyes on your own half. Most of the time.
Next Steps for Players:
- The Host: Purchase A Way Out on your preferred platform (Steam, PSN, Xbox).
- The Guest: Go to the store, search for "A Way Out," and select "Download Trial" or "Get Friends Pass."
- Connectivity: Ensure both players have added each other on the platform's native friend list AND the EA App (for PC).
- Play: Launch the game, send the invite, and prepare for one of the most unique endings in co-op history.