Digital sales carry EA to a successful first quarter of FY 2017
The publisher also saw a spike in EA Access subscribers and Battlefield players during the spring, but PC sales were down.
Electronic Arts' first quarter of the 2017 fiscal year ended on June 30, and the juggernaut publisher/developer released financial results. Overall, EA surpassed its projections thanks to brisk digital business.
EA pointed to Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and FIFA's Ultimate Team mode as two of the biggest contributors to digital sales. Of the company's net revenue, 54 percent came from digital: revenue from full game downloads constituted a 15 percent boost of $137 million; downloadable content jump 3 percent to $300 million; mobile rose by 16 percent, or $165 million; and the "other category," accounting for ads and digital subscriptions, spiked 23 percent, or $87 million.
Battlefield games drew an audience of 11.5 unique players, with Battlefield 4's player base leading the pack. Approximately 6.6 million players traveled to galaxies far, far away in Star Wars Battlefront, and EA Access subscribers more than doubled year-over-year.
Consoles, mobile platforms, and PCs were a mixed bag. Consoles and mobile platforms produced more digital revenue compared to Q1 2016, but the "PC and other" category dipped by 25 percent. Generating $145 million compared to $195 million in Q1 2016 and $173 million in 2015, "PC and other" came in behind mobile ($165 million) and consoles ($377 million).
Interestingly, EA's reports made no mention of Mirror's Edge Catalyst, which launched during the quarter and released to mostly tepid reviews.
EA disclosed its FY calendar through March 2017. Mass Effect Andromeda was listed as a Q4 title. For its next quarter, EA will be planning conservatively—somewhat of a surprise given that a new Madden NFL game, always a strong earner, launches next month, well within the Q2 timeframe.
-
Shacknews
replyDavid Craddock posted a new article, Digital sales carry EA to a successful first quarter of FY 2017
-
revenue from full game downloads constituted a 15 percent boost of $137 million; downloadable content jump 3 percent to $300 million; mobile rose by 16 percent, or $165 million; and the "other category," accounting for ads and digital subscriptions, spiked 23 percent, or $87 million.
Pretty crazy how small a portion full game downloads are, especially when that's probably the lowest margin segment of those types too.-
[deleted]
-
I've never understood why retail partners would even care that much. The margins on new game sales at retail are pretty shitty.
-
-
-
Because a poor company which can not produce new games and IP is very valuable.
-
-
-
I would be so happy to play Madden on PC again.
-
Not likely.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3094290/software/eas-open-to-bringing-madden-back-to-the-pc-but-dont-hold-your-breath.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2016/06/22/madden-17-could-be-headed-to-pc/#4005f3a249ec
With a 25% drop this past quarter in the "PC and other" category there is hardly incentive to bring Madden, NHL, Rory MacLeroy PGA Tour, and UFC 2 to the PC platform. And that is a shame.
-
-
