Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello admitted today that his company was "on the wrong horse" when it opted to focus primarily on Xbox 360 and PS3 during the console transition period.
Speaking at EA's investor meeting today, Riccitiello, who recently took over Larry Probst's postion as CEO of EA in April, called fiscal 2007 "the toughest year in the company's history."
He added, "[The last transition] was tough because we typically have two to three platforms and a five year period... One of the biggest challenges, of course, was that not a lot of people anticipated the success of Nintendo that they've shown with their wand controller and their Wii.
"That got ahead of us a little more than our expectations."
Shares have been languishing around the $50 mark for the past few years.
"Our stock hasn't moved as much as we'd like," Riccitello told one investor during a Q&A. He admitted that EA was on the "wrong horse" by concentrating mainly on the PS3 and Xbox 360 while throwing less resources towards the Wii during the console transition.
Nevertheless, Riccetello said that EA had the second-largest market share on Wii as of March with 19 percent, thanks mainly to Tiger Woods PGA Tour. Only Nintendo had a larger share.
The firm shipped six new Wii titles in fiscal 2007. EA also shipped eight titles on Nintendo DS.
I dont think they were wrong. Wii is selling now because it's cheap and it has a one or two innovative games but that's about it. EA could try making innovative games themselves (I bet the thought never occurred to them).
I dont think they were wrong. Wii is selling now because it's cheap and it has a one or two innovative games but that's about it.
Maybe, but the point is it is selling well. The reasons behind it are irrelevant.
I can understand them being wary of commiting fully to the Wii, but they definitely should've kept an eye on it. They dropped the ball and have suffered financially.
It's nice to finally see some of these corporate giants being humbled. And I'm not just talking about EA.
I dont think they were wrong. Wii is selling now because it's cheap and it has a one or two innovative games but that's about it. EA could try making innovative games themselves (I bet the thought never occurred to them).
That and the ease of control and the potential for amazing original game experiences.
EA don't make decent games, all they do is port franchises around the various consoles and occasionally do one right. It doesn't surprise me that a company lacking in invention and innovation didn't get the Wii.
EA don't make decent games, all they do is port franchises around the various consoles and occasionally do one right. It doesn't surprise me that a company lacking in invention and innovation didn't get the Wii.
I agree.
I noticed Harry Potter was ported to Wii, DS, GBA, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, PC, Mac, and my toaster...
With all that porting I can't imagine they have time to actually develop a decent game, plus I hear the toaster is especially hard to code for!
This is excellent news for Nintendo. A real boost. I imagine that the vast majority of developers put their resources into the PS3 and Xbox hence why we have seen a huge influx of ported games and half bottomd controls.
Even with that happening, Nintendo still look good to come out on top so imagine what will happen when developers actually DO start to put their resources into Nintendo.
Say what you like about the Wii, the figures stand for themselves and it wont be long before the developers go where the money is.
EA have never been one for Innovation so would never understand the concept of the Wii, personally I don't know if the appeal of the Wii will last forever but it's here to stay by the looks of it a couple of years yet and will without doubt be the hottest games console at xmas because of a lower price point and wider audience appeal!
Hopefully EA will make games ONLY for Wii and not some half bottomd port like they do with everything else!
It's just a case of more platforms more money. If you develop your title for all consoles and the PC then more people will potentially purchase it. Simple really.
A lot of people overlooked the Wii when they first heard of the controller (Me myself included) or the specs but the risk paid off in the end.
EA is always quick to jump ship and move on, they were one of the first major publishers to abandon the Amiga back in the day.
I noticed Harry Potter was ported to Wii, DS, GBA, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, PC, Mac, and my toaster...
With all that porting I can't imagine they have time to actually develop a decent game, plus I hear the toaster is especially hard to code for!
now don't you start,after the gta4/kenwood article yesterday i thought it was done. anyway,real toast is done under a flame grill,the TRUE hardcore know this.
Oh no! EA are going to take notice of the wii! time to put of the lazy 3rd developer sandbags...... and by that i mean on top of the obligatory ones already there.
EA don't make decent games, all they do is port franchises around the various consoles and occasionally do one right. It doesn't surprise me that a company lacking in invention and innovation didn't get the Wii.
It looks like Nintendo are going to have another reason to celebrate if EA bring out some decent games for the Wii!
They already have. Get with it. SSX Blur was more than decent. The best iteration in years. My Sims is getting rave previews, as is Boogie.
I applaud EA for coming to the conclusion, seemingly before other large developers, that Wii owners want something refreshing to play on. They can keep all their stale, uninspired tosh for the 360 and PS3. It's welcomed on those platforms as being 'Hardcore'.
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