Family Album: Electronic Arts

When you go to Electronic Arts' web site for the first time, you are treated to a list of countries where the video game behemoth has presence. To some people, it's a sign of impending world domination -- to us, it reveals a giant global family. Curious to see what all Electronic Arts has under its umbrella? Check out our handy guide to learn everything about the company. From Madden to macabre, The Sims to The Simpsons, we've got you covered.

Known for Black and the Burnout series. Bought by EA in 2004, Criterion is based in Guildford, England. The developer also produces Renderware middleware, used in Burnout and the last-generation Grand Theft Auto titles (i.e. not GTAIV).

Pictured: Burnout Paradise

Founded in 1988. EA completed acquisition of DICE in October 2006 and, within hours, shut down DICE Canada (ouch!). Known for the Battlefield series and the upcoming Mirror's Edge.

Pictured: Battlefield: Bad Company

Black Box Games was bought in June 2002 and became subsidiary of EA Canada, then became an independent studio again in 2005. Black Box is known for the Need for Speed series and most recently, Skate .

Pictured: Need for Speed Pro Street

Originally known as Distinctive Software, EA Canada was purchased in 1991. Located in Vancouver, the developer currently works on some of the major EA Sports titles such as NBA Live and SSX.

Pictured: SSX Blur (Wii)

Formerly just Tiburon, the studio was acquired in 1998. Most famous for its Madden NFL and NCAA football series. Also made two Superman games, but nobody's perfect.

Pictured: Madden 08

Founded in 1995, BioWare joined with Pandemic Studios as part of equity fund Elevation Partners. The pair was later acquired by EA in January 2008. The RPG powerhouse is known for Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire and Mass Effect.

Pictured: Mass Effect

EA UK is listed as Bright Light in company profile, but it doesn't seem to be called that anywhere else. Responsible for the Harry Potter games and the PlayStation 3 port of The Orange Box.

Pictured: The Order of the Phoenix video game

EA Montreal was created (not bought!) by EA in March 2004. The developers there fist-pounded their way into making Army of Two.

Pictured: Army of Two

Located in Redwood City, California, EA Redwood Shores is known for The Godfather, The Simpsons Game and the upcoming Dead Space.

Pictured: Dead Space

The studio was founded in 1992 as Headgate Studios, acquired by EA in December 2006. Best known for the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series.

Pictured: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07

Formerly DreamWorks interactive, founded in 1995, the studio was acquired in 2000 and merged with EA Pacific and Westwood Studios (Command & Conquer). Responsible for C&C, Medal of Honor and The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth, as well as the upcoming Steven Spielberg project, Boom Blox.

Pictured: Boom Blox

Will Wright's studio, Maxis, was founded in 1987 and acquired in 1997. It's responsible for The Sims and Spore. As part of the restructuring, The Sims phenomenon is considered its own development studio.

Pictured: Spore

EA Mythic, officially formed in 1995, was bought in 2006. The team is best known for the Dark Age of Camelot and highly anticipated Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning MMO.

Pictured: Warhammer Online

Pandemic was founded in 1998, made part of Elevation Partners (with BioWare) in 2005, and bought by EA in October 2007. Known for the Star Wars Battlefront series, Destroy All Humans and the oft-delayed Mercenaries 2.

Pictured: Mercenaries 2

Phenomic is known for the Spellforce and Sidler games. Founded 1997, it was bought in August 2006.

Pictured: Spellforce II

Pogo is an online gaming portal founded in 1995, bought by EA in 2001. Interesting note: The team apparently provided the idea behind Bizarre's Boom Boom Rocket.

Formerly JAMDAT Mobile, Inc. before being bought by EA in December (complete merger reportedly on Valentine's Day 2006). The acquisition reportedly cost the publisher $680 million. EA Mobile's Los Angeles and Montreal studios now reside in the EALA and EA Montreal buildings, respectively.

Pictured: Tetris Blockout

Thanks for reading, hope you learned a few things. Be sure to check out our other Family Album: Take-Two Interactive