EA Commits to Live-Service Games After Making Lots of Money With Them

EA had an earnings release yesterday, and if I know one thing about our audience, it’s that they love it when dry, lifeless businessmen talk about how much money they’re making. So, here we are.

And as it turns out, according to CEO Andrew Wilson, EA is doing quite well for itself: so well for itself, in fact, that they’re going to redouble their current commitment to Live Service games, which are reportedly the source of their recent success.

Here’s the skinny: FIFA Ultimate Team’s player count has increased by 22 percent year-over-year, while another live-service sports game, Madden Ultimate Team, has gone up 19% as well. A less sporty but every bit as casual game, The Sims 4, also had some surprising growth, at 40%. And while Apex Legends didn’t have any specific growth like that to brag about (considering it hasn’t even been out for the year), they did recently hit a milestone of over 70 million players logging in to shoot each other.

This, of course, means they’re earning money hand-over fist. Digital sales alone (which include both games and extra content) hit 3.883 billion over the past 12 months. A 8% increase from last year, and 78% of their total net bookings. No wonder they've been laying people off.
 

"Looking ahead, we are doubling down on live services combined with our core franchises. We’re investing in games that people play for longer and engage with much more deeply. This focus will continue to drive growth and profitability for the company through the remainder of this year and beyond."

All of this comes following the news that EA had just canceled its most recent NBA game, NBA Live 20, and has postponed the entire franchise, apparently, until next-gen consoles have launched so that they can take full advantage of that boost in power. It also probably means that the next NBA Live game, whenever it does come out, will be a live service game.

It’s the future ya’ll paid for, peeps.