Electronic Arts PC F2P Is Cut Back

APRIL 16, 2015 • Electronic Arts Inc. is shutting down four of its major Play4Free titles for the PC platform. Battlefield Heroes, Battlefield Play4Free, FIFA World and Need for Speed World will go offline in 90 days. The publisher said all four Electronic Arts PC F2P games were no longer as popular as they once were but did not provide details on what the current number of active users are compared to previous quarters. For the fiscal quarter ending December 31.....

Classic Electronic Arts MMOs Are Outsourced

FEB. 5, 2014 • Two classic Electronic Arts MMOs, Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot, are being moved from division Mythic Entertainment to a new independent studio, Broadsword Online Games. Broadsword was started by a group of Mythic alumni including co-founder Rob Denton. EA retains ownership of both MMOs along with billing and account services through its Origin online distribution service. Broadsword is partnering with EA and will carry on operation, devel.....

Andrew Wilson New Electronic Arts CEO

SEPT. 18, 2013 • Electronic Arts has pulled from within to fill the chief executive post vacated by the departure of John Riccitiello last March. Andrew Wilson, the executive vice president of EA Sports and the Origin online portal for digital games and services, has been tapped to become the Electronic Arts CEO. Wilson has substantial game studio experience that includes executive producer of the.....

NCAA Cancels Electronic Arts Deal

JULY 19, 2013 • The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has notified Electronic Arts that it will not renew their college football contract expiring in June 2014. As a result, EA Sports’ upcoming NCAA Football 14 will be the final installment in the series. The NCAA made the decision in reaction to ongoing litigation with former and current college football stars who want compensation for having their likenesses used in the video games – comp.....

Electronic Arts Facebook Games Are Retired

APRIL 15, 2013 • Maxis utilized a post on the EA blog to announce that three Electronic Arts Facebook titles would be shut down on June 14: Sims Social, SimCity Social and Pet Society. The reason for terminating the games was a continued fall off in the number of players and player activity. Electronic Arts will realign its presence on Facebook around games from its PopCap unit. In addition, players of the Maxis games that are closing will receive a special offe.....

John Riccitiello Out at Electronic Arts

MARCH 19, 2013 • Six years after taking the reins at Electronic Arts, John Riccitiello resigned as chief executive and board member. In a blog post to EA employees, Riccitiello described his departure in financial terms. “My decision to leave EA is really all about my taking accountability for the shortcomings in our financial results this year. It currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued t.....