Notes from EA's investor conference call
by Randy Nelson 
{ Dec 9th 2008 at 6:30PM }
EA CEO, John Riccitiello, began the call by pointing out that 17 of the company's '08 titles earned aggregate Metacritic scores above 80, versus only seven the year before. New IPs – specifically Dead Space and Mirror's Edge – were praised, but Riccitiello pointed out during the Q&A portion of the call that these franchises will perform better once established. "Dead Space looks like a long-term big winner for us," he said, later confirming, "[Mirror's Edge] is going to go forward."
The EA boss placed substantial emphasis on the impact of major retailers cutting their stock of all but the top five best-selling titles this holiday season. Looking forward, he said to expect the company to produce fewer titles overall next year, with core and casual games seeing equal, indeterminate cuts; sports will be untouched. Riccitiello also confirmed that studio consolidation will play a role in EA's FY10 cost-cutting plans, as will the merging of labels, specifically EA Sims and EA Casual, into one.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Haggard @ Dec 9th 2008 6:35PM
If at second you don't succeed, try what you did the first time.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Dec 9th 2008 7:07PM
You mean make sub par games that are rushed through development and sold to make a quick buck?
I like this EA and while it does suck that they haven't met expectations for such a great year, I'm happier that they've taken quality into account rather than quantity.
Ten Dolla Bill @ Dec 9th 2008 9:18PM
Damn ERTS shares took a hit today with this news, they dropped by just over 2 bucks. Still a great time to buy though, last January they were at close to 60 bucks a pop and now it's down to about 19.
Watch the bounce baby!
Haggard @ Dec 10th 2008 6:10AM
@ Hashbrown
Yes, that was exactly my point. EA have tried making really great quality original games and sadly it doesn't work for them financially. So now they're going back to franchises and sequels.
Not saying that's good, merely pointing out that's what they're doing.
Dante G @ Dec 9th 2008 7:12PM
I think EA is not as bad as it used to be. I only wish they would let the NFL go so that we could get some NFL 2k games. Competition with NFL games once more ftw.
RiccochetJ @ Dec 9th 2008 7:40PM
I'm glad to hear that they're moving forward with Mirror's Edge. I'm completely addicted to speed runs and time trials.
Ignatius @ Dec 9th 2008 7:41PM
Am I the only person who didn't really enjoy a lot of Mirror's Edge? It was just frustrating to me. Instant death falls are annoying.
Levi @ Dec 9th 2008 9:45PM
No, a lot of people didn't care for it. I chalk it up to the ADD of the current gen of gamers, and the ridiculously easy default difficulty levels of games. I'd say far too frequent saves, but Mirror's Edge quicksaves frequently.
I really think that people just don't understand why the game is fun... Maybe you and others went into the game with expectations that weren't met, or you are just too used to the way most first person games play? The fun is had in trying to figure out where to go, and if they didn't create limitations (that cause you to die), the game wouldn't be fun at all. Picture running around the rooftops with nobody chasing you. You'd have all the time in the world to figure out where to go. Then it's not a challenge, but rather just a matter of time until you win.
Another possiblity is that gamers just don't pick up on how to get from point A to point B in the game. It's easier to get stuck here than in most FPS's, because it's about trying to find the next place to go.
Though, you can't please everyone. I love it, but my friend doesn't think it's fun either. I'm disappointed it didn't do better, since EA was talking about making it a trilogy, and just after the release, they are making cuts and talking about disappointing sales.
At least Dead Space did OK.
Ignatius @ Dec 9th 2008 10:46PM
It might just be because I don't like first person games on consoles, as a PC game, I bet I would have enjoyed it far better.
Prince of Persia style action with the first person view is just disorienting.
SKI @ Dec 10th 2008 9:39AM
"I really think that people just don't understand why the game is fun... "
If you have to be taught why something is fun, it isn't fun.
heyo007 @ Dec 9th 2008 11:15PM
Faith is coming back for another go? Oh baby. Faith...I think I'm in love with you (both the eastern and western versions).
Tony @ Dec 11th 2008 6:38AM
www.tonykim.weebly.com