Electronic Arts: A Competitive Analysis
Kyle McComas
7600295
GMGT-2060-A03
Sean MacDonald
University of Manitoba
December 3rd, 2014
Background
Electronic Arts (EA) is an interactive entertainment software company that “develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks.” (“About EA - Electronic Arts Canada.”, n.d.) They were founded in 1982 in Redwood City, CA by Trip Hawkins. While the company has grown since 1982, their headquarters remain in Redwood City, and includes 5 different labels: EA Games, EA SPORTS, EA Maxis, EA Interactive, and EA Bioware, consisting of 9000 employees worldwide. While each label is part of EA’s overall corporate structure, they function independently to create different styles of games. EA’s rise to dominance in the videogame market has been substantial. In fiscal 2012, EA reported revenues of $4.1 billion. (“About EA - Electronic Arts Canada.”, n.d.) While this number is impressive, EA has had its fair share of problems, including lawsuits from employees for unpaid overtime, unreasonable demands of their employees, attempting to monopolize the market, among other issues, and in 2013 were voted “Worst Company in America” by Consumerist. (Tassi, 2013) Some of these issues will be discussed in further …show more content…
The latest editions of NHL, Madden, and other popular franchises are transformed when hardware is able to handle greater graphics capabilities, and a greater number of processes being run simultaneous. EA has capitalized on this, and are ahead of the curve with respect to development of sports franchises. The NHL franchise now has “real puck physics”, near photo realistic player models, authentic equipment, and more. (“NHL 15 | NHL Hockey Video Game Features | EA SPORTS.”,
Kyle McComas
7600295
GMGT-2060-A03
Sean MacDonald
University of Manitoba
December 3rd, 2014
Background
Electronic Arts (EA) is an interactive entertainment software company that “develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks.” (“About EA - Electronic Arts Canada.”, n.d.) They were founded in 1982 in Redwood City, CA by Trip Hawkins. While the company has grown since 1982, their headquarters remain in Redwood City, and includes 5 different labels: EA Games, EA SPORTS, EA Maxis, EA Interactive, and EA Bioware, consisting of 9000 employees worldwide. While each label is part of EA’s overall corporate structure, they function independently to create different styles of games. EA’s rise to dominance in the videogame market has been substantial. In fiscal 2012, EA reported revenues of $4.1 billion. (“About EA - Electronic Arts Canada.”, n.d.) While this number is impressive, EA has had its fair share of problems, including lawsuits from employees for unpaid overtime, unreasonable demands of their employees, attempting to monopolize the market, among other issues, and in 2013 were voted “Worst Company in America” by Consumerist. (Tassi, 2013) Some of these issues will be discussed in further …show more content…
The latest editions of NHL, Madden, and other popular franchises are transformed when hardware is able to handle greater graphics capabilities, and a greater number of processes being run simultaneous. EA has capitalized on this, and are ahead of the curve with respect to development of sports franchises. The NHL franchise now has “real puck physics”, near photo realistic player models, authentic equipment, and more. (“NHL 15 | NHL Hockey Video Game Features | EA SPORTS.”,