EA is always on the lookout for new ways to monetize gaming content, but the company's new program, launching today, is blazing some particularly innovative new ground. For $25 a year, gamers can sign up for the "Season Ticket" program, and enjoy a variety of savings and bonuses. The biggest one is the ability to download EA sports titles three days before they hit retail shelves—without buying them—via the PlayStation Network or Xbox Live. If you're a Season Ticket holder, in other words, your life with EA is now completely digital... at least for three days per game.

The full list of benefits, and where you can sign up:

Here is everything you get for your $25 a year:

Early Full-Game Digital Access : Three days before a game’s scheduled release, fans will be able to download and play the full version of all five participating titles on Xbox 360 and PS3. The digitally downloaded game will time out when the game is available at retail and consumers have the option to purchase the same full game on disc at retail. EA SPORTS Season Ticket subscribers can transfer all achievements earned during the three-day download period to the purchased disc, resulting in an early edge over the competition.

: Three days before a game’s scheduled release, fans will be able to download and play the full version of all five participating titles on Xbox 360 and PS3. The digitally downloaded game will time out when the game is available at retail and consumers have the option to purchase the same full game on disc at retail. EA SPORTS Season Ticket subscribers can transfer all achievements earned during the three-day download period to the purchased disc, resulting in an early edge over the competition. Discounted Downloadable Content : Subscribers will get a 20-percent discount on all available downloadable content for participating EA SPORTS titles. Downloadable content, which enhances and refreshes the core game experience, includes such items as Ultimate Team packs, accelerator packs and gear upgrades.

: Subscribers will get a 20-percent discount on all available downloadable content for participating EA SPORTS titles. Downloadable content, which enhances and refreshes the core game experience, includes such items as Ultimate Team packs, accelerator packs and gear upgrades. Free Premium Web Content : Premium web content extends the game experience beyond the console to a web browser. All participating titles will feature premium web content that will be free to EA SPORTS Season Ticket members beginning with the premium Creation Center packs for FIFA Soccer 12. These packs provide a deeper set of customization tools and abilities within Creation Center to build your own teams and tournaments, and will be available to the consumer until the membership to the program has expired.

: Premium web content extends the game experience beyond the console to a web browser. All participating titles will feature premium web content that will be free to EA SPORTS Season Ticket members beginning with the premium Creation Center packs for FIFA Soccer 12. These packs provide a deeper set of customization tools and abilities within Creation Center to build your own teams and tournaments, and will be available to the consumer until the membership to the program has expired. Membership Recognition: Subscribers are easily identifiable with an exclusive membership recognition badge displayed both in-game and on their EASPORTS.com profile.

So you'll download the full game three days early, and then when that download times out on the game's retail release you have to go to the store to pay for it. You're getting a free, early, three-day look at each EA Sports title, but you must buy the disc when it's over. This program will begin with Madden 12 this month, and participating franchises include Madden NFL Football, NHL hockey, FIFA Soccer, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR golf and NCAA Football.

"EA Sports Season Ticket is an exciting program for our core fans—it lets our biggest fans play earlier, play more and play better than anyone else," EA Sports President Peter Moore said in a statement. "EA Sports Season Ticket is an important step in our vision for transforming how deeply fans connect with the sports games they love through digital products and services. We’re excited to continue evolving EA Sports Season Ticket as we listen to what consumers want most in their gaming experiences."

GameStop President Tony Bartel also gushes about the program in the statement, as GameStop is the program's official retail partner. Sure, you can sign up for the program directly through your gaming console, but why not go to a retail store to get your subscription? GameStop has always done a surprising amount of business selling digital content to consumers in their stores, and with the drawing power of EA having a retail partner for a digital program is not as crazy as it might sound at first. Plus, EA has to have made GameStop happy with the decision to kill the digital copies of the game when the discs are available; you will still have to pick up the physical disc to continue playing.

But will people buy?

This is an interesting program, and there is certainly value in playing the game early enough to get your practice in, building your team, and being more competitive when the games go online—but $25 a year could be a hard sell. This could save you some money if you're a heavy purchaser of DLC, but the main draw is going to be the early games. If nothing else, this is a bold move, and as always other publishers are going to be watching the performance of the Season Pass program closely.