Game pre-loading comes to Xbox One early with Madden 15

Pre-purchasing and pre-loading of Xbox One games has come to Xbox One earlier than expected, thanks to EA Sports' Madden NFL 15. The Xbox One version of the game is now available for pre-loading to those who pre-purchase the game through the Xbox Games Store.

Microsoft announced at its Gamescom press conference that game pre-loading would be available on Xbox One this September with the release of FIFA 15 and Forza Horizon 2. Microsoft was rumored to have pre-loading available on Xbox One earlier this year, when a page on Xbox.com hinted at a pre-load option for Respawn Entertainment's Titanfall.

On Twitter, Xbox Studios partner studio manager Mike Ybarra said the move was in response to giving Xbox fans a feature they've been asking for.

Xbox One owners who subscribe to Electronic Arts' EA Access program are able to pre-purchase and play — for a limited time — game like Madden NFL 15 ahead of their official release date. This year's Madden will hit Aug. 26. The Madden NFL 15 pre-purchase listing on Xbox.com says the game download won't unlock until 12:01 am BST on Aug. 29, which appears to be in error.