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EA: Comeback “Taking Longer” Than Two Years
A few years back EA began a push for new intellectual properties that lead to the publishing of titles such as Brütal Legend, Dead Space, and Mirror’s Edge. This push for new franchises was just one aspect of the company’s three-pronged plan, the others being “driving growth on the digital side and driving cost.” According to company CEO John Riccitiello, EA is behind on their two year battle-plan but they’re still on the right path.
"I think we've made good progress -- in fact, very good progress -- on these," Riccitiello said during a business call reported by Gamasutra. "Our view of the sector has been proven right, and we've done a good job of executing the right strategies."
"Where I think today we are is, frankly, it has taken longer," the CEO offered. "What we've described as a two-year comeback is clearly taking longer. Part of that has to do with the dynamism in the sector. But...I think we've got the right strategies going forward and the right team executing them."
He also brought up that recently acquired social gaming firm, Playfish, is in its first full year. He also mentioned that their upcoming “major MMO” (he's likely referring to The Old Republic) is due out in 2011. Both Playfish and EA's MMO are projected to bolster the company’s digital presence.
"Given the recent history...we think it's appropriate for EA to plan conservatively at the sector level," said Riccitiello. "We think the best assumption going into the year given, frankly, how wrong some of us were at estimating 2009, is to plan the sector to be down single digits or be good as flat. We think that's a good planning assumption."
The company also revealed that several highly anticipated titles such as Dead Space 2 and Medal of Honor will be releasing during fiscal 2011. Also suggested during the meeting was the reinvention of the Madden franchise following the lower than expected performance of last year’s game.
How do you think EA is doing compared to other companies in the industry?
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