Topic: EA Gains Partners

[WindyMan]

Electronic Arts isn't satisfied with its current size.  They want to be bigger.

EA PARTNERS TO LEND DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE AND PUBLISHING CAPABILITY TO INDEPENDENT GAME COMPANIES

NEW UNIT TO MANAGE PORTFOLIO OF THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS

Chertsey, UK. – September 15th, 2003 – Electronic Arts, the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced the creation of a new business unit, EA Partners, to manage EA's worldwide distribution and co-publishing relationships of third-party products as EA looks to significantly grow its $300 million externally sourced business. The unit was previously known as EA Distribution.

"The mission of EA Partners is to help develop the tremendous creativity of independent studios and publishers and bring their games to the worldwide market," said John Riccitiello, EA President and COO. "We've created a business to bring innovative games to new platforms and new markets around the world."

EA Partners complements the company's extensive portfolio of licensed and wholly-owned game franchises. EA currently has relationships with more than 12 developers and publishers including Digital Illusions, C.E., Buena Vista Games (Disney Interactive), Fox Interactive, Krome Studios, LEGO Interactive, IO Interactive, Warner Brothers Interactive, Sunflowers Interactive Entertainment Software, Lionhead Studios and regional publishing relationships with companies including LucasArts, Capcom, NovaLogic and NAMCO. In 2002, EA and Digital Illusions, C.E. of Gothenburg Sweden published Battlefield 1942 – an award winning PC multi-player game that achieved worldwide commercial success.

[mouse_clicker]

Hehe- I bet Trip Hawkins is wishing right now that he had never left EA and started up 3DO.

[Djunknown]

Maybe he can try and grovel at their feet..

Looks like the EA beast is looking for fresh meat. Since they do want independent studios, I'm sure they'll come across quirky and zany projects. Will EA have the courage to mass market them?