Analysis: What A Looming NFL Lockout Might Mean For Electronic Arts

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Chris Morris

[Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris talks to analysts at M2 and Wedbush Morgan to examine the possible effects on Electronic Arts — and its signature Madden game franchise — of an American football strike.]

Football stadiums across the country might be silent next September – as the prospect of an NFL lockout grows larger by the day – but on the virtual field, the game will still be played.

Electronic Arts will release its 2012 installment of the Madden franchise this year as it has each year since 1988 – but it might be doing so without the marketing force of the league behind it for the first time in the game’s history.

For EA and THQ, Is a Turnaround in Their Future?

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Chris Morris

The last couple of years have been rough ones for Electronic Arts and THQ. Rapid changes in the video game landscape and an unlucky string of underperforming titles has taken its toll on both companies’ stock prices.

This week, though, both companies showed some signs of life as they reported earnings, giving investors hope that the long awaited turnaround for each company might be about to begin.

Disney nabs EA Mobile chief

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Chris Morris

As Disney was busy laying off a substantial portion of its games division this week, it was also doing some hiring.

The Mouse House has lured away Adam Sussman, vice president of Electronic Arts’ mobile division. Sussman will become Senior VP of publishing for Disney Games – further indicating the company’s plan to focus almost entirely on mobile and social titles moving forward.

Analysis: EA Expands Pogo.com, Looking For A Chance To Digitally Shine

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Chris Morris

Gamasutra’s Chris Morris speaks to Michael Marchetti, senior vice president of EA’s casual gaming site Pogo.com about how he intends to “build the base of new players” to add to its 1.5 million active subscribers.

To the outside world, Pogo.com has always seemed like the redheaded stepchild of Electronic Arts. Bought nine years ago, there’s nothing flashy about the site and its core audience isn’t likely to buy a lot of other EA games – well, until the next Simsexpansion pack comes around, anyway.

It’s a consistent moneymaker, however; one that has generally been left to fend for itself. And it’s done quite well. As recently as 2007, in fact, it was handily beating Facebook in terms of time spent by users, according to Compete.com. But the industry is changing fast – and now Pogo.com is being asked to step up its game.

App Review: Reckless Racing HD

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Chris Morris

Reckless Racing HD is, simply put, one of the best racing games on the iPad. It doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s easy to pick up and play. And it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Races are short, fast and full of hairpin turns. Even multiplayer is an easy affair, not requiring — or requesting — anything other than a username (and, you don’t even need to provide that). The graphics are wonderful. The game lets you choose your difficulty settings and comes with a hefty number of tracks. The user interface takes a little while to get used to, but once you do, this is a hard app to put down.

Game coin goes mobile

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Chris Morris

As social gaming companies get snatched for ever-escalating amounts, the wave of acquisitions and investment money has turned to makers of mobile videogames.

Over the last two weeks, there have been three substantial buyouts and investments in the mobile market — and the transactions could signal the beginning of a larger trend in use of mobile devices for gaming.

What controversy? Medal of Honor pockets $100 million

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Chris Morris

Critics have been lukewarm over “Medal of Honor” and Electronic Arts is still taking heat for the early (and since-reversed) decision to make the Taliban playable in the multiplayer mode, but the game is still selling strong.

EA has announced the game sold 1.5 million units in its first five days on store shelves. CEO John Riccitiello added in an interview on Fox Business that the game has already surpassed $100 million at retail.

Will EA’s Medal of Honor Score Big Again?

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Chris Morris

When Electronic Arts announced its reboot of its “Medal of Honor” franchise would be set in modern-day Afghanistan, it probably didn’t expect to come under this much fire.

Game industry detractors have skewered the company for its initial decision to make the Taliban playable in the game’s multiplayer portion. And analysts (along with investors) worried that the game’s release date put it squarely between two of the year’s biggest titles, which could have a dramatically negative impact on sales. Now, the game’s fate is in the hands of gamers.

EA yanks Taliban from ‘Medal of Honor’ multiplayer

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Chris Morris

Besieged from all sides, Electronic Arts has capitulated and made a last minute change to its upcoming reboot of “Medal of Honor,” removing the ability for players to assume the role of the Taliban in the game’s multiplayer mode.

Greg Goodrick, executive producer of the game, announced the decision in a blog post Friday morning, citing feedback from military families as the reason for the move.

EA Reverses Course; Taliban No Longer Playable in ‘Medal of Honor’