EA: Downloads offset sluggish retail sales

EA's John Riccitiello has a bit of advice for the anxious investors, analysts, and fanboys who eagerly await the monthly NPD numbers: "There's an entire other world of download, online, all the things that are going on that doesn't really show up in the surveys and I think that's the future." NPD figures only track retail sales, a market that has been challenged by the downturn in the global economy. Games like Madden 10 may sell fewer copies than previous versions, but that doesn't mean investors should jump ship.

"Online games that you download, games you would get by way of iPhone for example, that totally digital business is up so strong that it's actually offsetting the challenge we see at retail," Riccitiello tells FOX Business. Offerings like Madden 10 on iPhone, the upcoming Madden NFL Arcade, and Madden 10 DLC should go far in helping the company's bottom line. "The retail business is down," Riccitiello admits, but "the combination [of both retail and digital] is up."

Riccitiello's belief that digital is the future of the industry echoes earlier sentiments from EA Sports boss Peter Moore, who called the retail model "a burning platform." See Riccitiello's full interview with FOX after the break.

[Via Edge]

Reader Comments (24)

EA Sports: It's in the download.

EA Sports: If it's in the game (data wise), We'll sell you an unlock code.

BIG

It's always about Peter Moore, isn't it? When am I gonna get my time to shine? Will I need a Halo Reach tattoo on my dick?

EWWWWWWWWWWW

Fuck you, buddy. Knowing you, you'd probably Reach for it yourself.

If you're willing to go through that much pain...I think we might have to award you.

He's not your buddy, guy.

I never post it that, Why do you ladies insist that Im someone else does this site ever get new people or is it just you four ladies.

Everyone else is laughing too hard at the sheer stupidity of your posts for them to comment.

WHY. AREN'T. YOU. BANNED. YET.

As much as I would like to ban Bobby Kotick from gaming, this is directed to this so called "sprinkles."

Huh, and I just bought Dragon Age on Steam this morning. (Side Note: Steam makes impulsive buying decisions WAAAAAY too easy.)

But you did get the best version.

I was, to say the least, surprised that the 360 version ended up being inferior to the PS3 version. I guess I shouldn't have stopped my rule of buying multi-platforms on the PS3...

It really does. That's why I love it but my wallet feels the opposite.

Yeah, EA putting their entire library on Steam really backs this up.
BTW, I'm pretty sure Steam has gone up from 12 million to over 20 million in the last 12 months or so alone.

The rise of the netbook may have a small contribution to that. Sure, they can't run powerful games, but things like Zuma run pretty well, and there's no need for a CD drive.

Sorry, just checked and that was a while ago. They're way over 20 million now.

I refuse to buy anymore DLC. Companies are taking it too far by removing features from games and selling them to ignorant consumers. How does a developer/publisher like EA charge more for a game year after year, but it has less features? It's just getting ridiculous.

Please enlighten us as to what companies are removing from games and selling to ignorant consumers.

If you're talking about cheats, those were never features. I never saw a box that said "OVER 100 CHEATS TO HELP YOU BEAT THE GAME!" Those were just debug options that were left in the game.

If you're talking about extra levels, those would never have come out before, they would have just waited and sold you another game a year or two later. I'd rather pay a small amount for maps than wait for another iteration.

If you're talking about game modes, the most recent madden DLC Ultimate team is supposed to be free. They will make money by selling card packs that users can earn through play or buy if they want to. And even going by Fifa 09 where they charged, I was happy to pay $10 for an entirely new game experience that would normally have been a $50 Spring soccer title.

Have you ever played Madden 10 before? Have you ever given their superstar mode a try? They completely stripped that mode down and want you to pay for dlc to get the max progression of stats at the end of the season. For titles like team captain, you need to pay for dlc.

Have you ever played Street fighter 4? Different outfits at an extra cost added to the 60 dollar original asking price...that's just ridiculous.

I don't really care about extra levels, it prolongs the usability and life of games that people really enjoy. But when companies start taking out features that were already in previous games that were lower in price, and start charging consumers for them, then that pisses me off. If they're actually items that developers actually truly develop after the game, then okay dlc is fine. But when you purposely leave stuff out, or include it in the game but require an unlock code, then that's not cool.

You should do what I do. Buy these games with day one DLC, when the GOTY edition comes out. You can choose whether you want to buy it used or new, but that is up to you. Especially if it is a single player game. I made that mistake with Fable 2, and I won't make that same mistake will other games that abuse DLC.

I haven't played Madden 10 (nor Madden 9) so I can't comment on that aspect. The only sports game I play is Fifa which has had a pretty good use of DLC.

However, yes, charging for extra costumes in SF IV at that price was ridiculous (they should have charged less for them at the very least) but I hardly see how that is stripping out features from previous generation games. SF II just had a couple alternate color palettes, not full blown costumes.

Madden for the iPhone is a good stab in the right direction. They need to include two player matches and fix the playoff issue though. Also, difficulty modes would help. It really needs to be more challenging.

Although, what's really need is competition. By locking that up with exclusivity, the game has been really flat, console-wise.

That's all well and good, John, but things like what we see in the article picture are absolutely ridiculous and is a mockery to gamers everywhere.

Yeah, the future. The Evil Future.

Here's the future. Sell a base product at full price, and then sell the parts that should have been in the game at ridiculous prices online only.

Vs. Modes, Weapons, hell...won't be long before PLOTS will be DLC. Get your $60 ticket ready to be punched.

EA: Downloads offset sluggish retail sales

Reader Comments (24)

Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:03PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:27PM CarpeD1em500 said

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Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:17PM The Blank Mage Returns said

Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:19PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:21PM Special Agent Steve said

Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:28PM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:32PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 5th 2009 11:55PM aznsensation said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 2:16AM evilkoala said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 3:14AM aznsensation said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 11:20AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 7:02PM evilkoala said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 7:38AM GWord said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 8:42AM Padilla7921 said

Posted: Nov 6th 2009 9:44AM CaptainProtonX said

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