Electronic Arts (EA, Financial) considers players first as its ultimate precedence by offering amazing experiences to the gamers daily. Its players on PC and console registered greater than 1.9 billion hours of gameplay in the quarter. EA also achieved a record number of mobile gamers during the quarter, with more than 155 million monthly active users on an average for the company’s mobile games. EA is providing with an incredible and lasting fun and enduring value for its players through all its popular platforms and genres.
Innovative titles to power the performance
In the second quarter, EA released several innovative games and services through the mobile, PC and console platforms. Madden NFL 15 was released in August and was accepted significantly becoming the highest successful Madden titles in coming years amid critics and players. Till date, players have played above 89 million Madden games, an increase of 48% on year-over-year basis. EA launched NHL 15 and Sims 4 in September and since then has released several key content updates for players in both these games with enhanced features and varied gaming modes.
FIFA 15 exceeded 3.4 million exclusive players in just one day with having merely single week in its second quarter creating a record for its FIFA games. Overall, EA is witnessing approximately 50% greater online player engagement for FIFA 15 compared to FIFA 14 during the previous year.
The superb Team modes for FIFA 15, NHL 15 and Madden NFL 15 are witnessing continued impressive growth. Its total base for Ultimate Team player has previously expanded greater than 40% compared to FY14. FIFA 15 Ultimate Team for mobile and Madden NFL mobile has been released for Android and iOS in the current quarter. The company’s EA SPORTS games for mobile added to more than 40 million monthly active users during the second quarter, an increase of 250% on year-over-year basis.
Last quarter, we launched EA Access, our new digital service for Xbox One players that allows unlimited play across a selection of EA titles and other valuable benefits for a monthly or annual fee.
Digital growth
EA is enjoying healthy digital growth in Asia as well. The revenue for FIFA Online 3 increased 89% on year-over-year basis during the second quarter. In Korea, FIFA Online 3 recorded highest revenue during the second quarter. China and Korea are believed to be major growth verticals for EA and it continues to find better ways to serve more players with its largest IP.
In third quarter, EA launched NBA Live 15 and expects to further release Dragon Age: Inquisition in November.
EA SPORTS games live services are expected to provide fresh challenges, content and updates to players, combining the realistic events of the NBA, soccer, NHL and NFL season straight to the player experience in its games.
For mobile devices, EA is estimated to release two fresh games during the third quarter, Peggle Blast and SimCity BuildIt. Both these games are free to play.
Battlefield 4 is estimated to launch its fifth expansion pack, Final Stand, in third quarter, providing solid experience in the game. At present, Battlefield 4 is adding new players and engaging current customers.
Going forward, EA plans to keep enough time among releases for allowing customers to completely identify the immersive gameplay experience for the shooter titles. EA targets on launching Battlefield Hardline on March 17, 2015, in North America and later in Europe. After this release, its next Battlefield experience is forecasted to be launched in third quarter of FY17.
In the subsequent holiday, EA plans to launch a fresh hit, Star Wars Battlefront, from its DICE Studio in third quarter of FY '16.
Conclusion
Thus, EA looks like a good bet for the long run. So, investors should definitely consider investing in this stock.
