EA finally admits the awful truth. They say they never made hits in 2008. I would go futher and say the games they made sucked. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs conference Pleasants stated, "The biggest thing was that we didn't make hits [in 2008]." New properties like Mirror's Edge and Dead Space were assumed to be profitable, but in the end sales just weren't high enough.
You can read more here.
There is a comment about not spending enough on marketing and the right channels but I would say no amount of marketing is going to make Mirrors Edge a great game and become a hit.
Showing posts with label EA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EA. Show all posts
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
REPORT: Online gaming
In the latest of statistics to be release ComScore say the time spent playing online games in the US has grown 42 per cent in the last year.
Furthermore, now gaming online makes up 4.9 per cent of all of America’s internet use, compared to 3.7 per cent in December 2007.
So what does this all mean for you and your project?
Estimated internet users in the US for June 2008 248,000,0000
Number of people playing online games (35% of the US internet population) 86,000,000
Some sites with high volumes of traffic
UVPM (unique visitors per month per site, does not account for people visiting more than one site)
Habbo.com around 500k
IMVU.com around 2.5 million
Real Arcade 1.6 million
Big Fish Games 2.6 million
Miniclip 5 million
Pogo 8.5 million
Yahoo Games 4.5 million
Stardoll 1.3 million
Pogo are attracting a whopping 10% of online gaming traffic.
Do you know why?
For a long time they have been growing an nurturing a community, they have been listening and responding to the needs of their community. They have managed to encourage cooperative gaming and get their community talking while still having a competitive feel. Just as important they manage to develop loyalty. That can only happen if you give players a reason to be loyal. So many sites miss these important fact.
Also you need to be aware of who you are targeting, know your customer, and your market size in relation to competition and age demographics. The published figures can be deceiving and make many developers over estimate the figures they will get to their site.
A good way to go is to decide what you actually want in market share. So if the kids 6-11 sector represents 8 million players and your game is targeted at boys only then cut that by 50%. Then you aim to get 5% market share then you will have 200,000 UVPM. Then of course you have to work out how you will monetize everything so you can stay in business. For that you will need to know conversion ratios, churn rates and what your revenue lines are at the very least.
You may think this is basic stuff but so many times I speak to people or read about money invested in projects that don't have the proper planning or the full understanding of the market.
We shall come back to this topic shortly and put together some examples that may be helpful.
Furthermore, now gaming online makes up 4.9 per cent of all of America’s internet use, compared to 3.7 per cent in December 2007.
So what does this all mean for you and your project?
Estimated internet users in the US for June 2008 248,000,0000
Number of people playing online games (35% of the US internet population) 86,000,000
Some sites with high volumes of traffic
UVPM (unique visitors per month per site, does not account for people visiting more than one site)
Habbo.com around 500k
IMVU.com around 2.5 million
Real Arcade 1.6 million
Big Fish Games 2.6 million
Miniclip 5 million
Pogo 8.5 million
Yahoo Games 4.5 million
Stardoll 1.3 million
Pogo are attracting a whopping 10% of online gaming traffic.
Do you know why?
For a long time they have been growing an nurturing a community, they have been listening and responding to the needs of their community. They have managed to encourage cooperative gaming and get their community talking while still having a competitive feel. Just as important they manage to develop loyalty. That can only happen if you give players a reason to be loyal. So many sites miss these important fact.
Also you need to be aware of who you are targeting, know your customer, and your market size in relation to competition and age demographics. The published figures can be deceiving and make many developers over estimate the figures they will get to their site.
A good way to go is to decide what you actually want in market share. So if the kids 6-11 sector represents 8 million players and your game is targeted at boys only then cut that by 50%. Then you aim to get 5% market share then you will have 200,000 UVPM. Then of course you have to work out how you will monetize everything so you can stay in business. For that you will need to know conversion ratios, churn rates and what your revenue lines are at the very least.
You may think this is basic stuff but so many times I speak to people or read about money invested in projects that don't have the proper planning or the full understanding of the market.
We shall come back to this topic shortly and put together some examples that may be helpful.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
BUSINESS: EA buys J2Msoft
Digital game developer Electronic Arts (EA) announced its second move into Asia's online game market on Tuesday, by buying South Korean online game developer J2MSoft Inc.
"This is a significant step in EA's strategic plan for developing and publishing online games in Asia," said Jon Niermann, president of EA Asia, in a statement.
To see what J2M does Click ME
Earlier this week, EA announced a tie-up with Chinese game developer NetDragon Websoft to create three-dimensional MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role playing games) based on EA's Dungeon Keeper series of digital games.
EA has already launched some of its popular sports titles as online games in Asia, including EA Sports FIFA Online and NBA Street Online). The company is already creating online version of other titles for Asia, including Warhammer, Age of Reckoning, Need For Speed and Battlefield Heroes.
"This is a significant step in EA's strategic plan for developing and publishing online games in Asia," said Jon Niermann, president of EA Asia, in a statement.
To see what J2M does Click ME
Earlier this week, EA announced a tie-up with Chinese game developer NetDragon Websoft to create three-dimensional MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role playing games) based on EA's Dungeon Keeper series of digital games.
EA has already launched some of its popular sports titles as online games in Asia, including EA Sports FIFA Online and NBA Street Online). The company is already creating online version of other titles for Asia, including Warhammer, Age of Reckoning, Need For Speed and Battlefield Heroes.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Varbeck leaves EA in restructure
No surprises that EA would be restructuring especially after laying off the number of staff they did. Varbeck leaves EA as the company restructures
The Sims label to be a new Sims and Casual label.
Varbeck who also headed up the POGO.com portal is perusing opportunities outside of the publisher. Good luck Cathy.
Its a real shame as the casual industry really needs more women so lets hope she stays in Casual.
The Sims label to be a new Sims and Casual label.
Varbeck who also headed up the POGO.com portal is perusing opportunities outside of the publisher. Good luck Cathy.
Its a real shame as the casual industry really needs more women so lets hope she stays in Casual.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
SEVEN UP
News Bites
PopCap toasts Bejeweled's 25m sales
VP Digital play Studios MMO platform is a fundamental path for taking the Lego brand forwards.
Stardoll celebrates 20 million players
Mumbo Jumbo Releases Facebook title
EA could kill facebook says Sega
PC gaming Mrtket Hits $10.7 BILLION
Primary Wii Gamer in U.S. Households is Young Males
Hands-On Transferring EMEA Assets To Connect 2 Media
PopCap toasts Bejeweled's 25m sales
VP Digital play Studios MMO platform is a fundamental path for taking the Lego brand forwards.
Stardoll celebrates 20 million players
Mumbo Jumbo Releases Facebook title
EA could kill facebook says Sega
PC gaming Mrtket Hits $10.7 BILLION
Primary Wii Gamer in U.S. Households is Young Males
Hands-On Transferring EMEA Assets To Connect 2 Media
Monday, August 4, 2008
FILMS & GAMES back scratching
1) Gaming continues to merge with film and TV
2) Timing is critical for Film based games, and vice versa RIDE THE WAVE or START IT
3) Violence OUT Family in for Activision
4) EA Partner with CAPCOM
5) Activision states movie based games position
5) THQ loses triple but Wall-E astrong seller
Capcom and DC team for new comics line // News // GamesIndustry.biz: "Capcom and DC team for new comics line
Capcom is partnering with DC Comics on two new series' based on the publisher's popular gaming franchises.
Resident Evil and Devil May Cry will get the comic book treatment, and be published under the WildStorm imprint.
'Comics are a critical component in Capcom’s merchandising strategy
The deal comes days after DC Comics announced a partnership with Electronic Arts to create a series based on the forthcoming Mirror's Edge game."
ACTIVISION CANS GHOSTBUSTERS GAME!
Timing is everything. No surprise Ghostbusters would be a risk right now as their is no film release to support the game.
Activision Blizzard has submitted its latest release schedule with no mention of forthcoming title from Terminal Reality, Ghostbusters, 50: Cent: Blood on the Sand from Swordfish or Double Fine's Brutal Legend.
"We are very excited to add such recognisable and successful brands as Crash Bandicoot, Ice Age and Spyro, which reinforce our leadership position in movie-based and family entertainment video games," added Griffith.
THQ losses nearly triple to $27.2 million
THQ has reported a loss of USD 27.2 million for the first quarter of the fiscal year, up from USD 9.3 million the previous year.
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