Blake Jorgensen, EA’s Chief Financial Officer, believes the publisher should be given more credit for how they handle studio acquisitions. This line is likely to send chills down anyone still reeling from the losses of so many studios that were axed by EA.
Jorgensen praised the recent acquisition by EA of Codemasters, a racing sim development company for $1.2 billion, during yesterday’s financial report. Jorgensen attributes the studio’s recent F1 title’s success to Codemasters’ quick integration with EA’s marketing and publishing efforts.
Jorgensen stated, “It’s due to the testament of a exceptional game development team who was able to create the right assets and to produce marketing materials to help drive this business. “And you know the best part? “I think we don’t get enough credit for this.”
Respawn, the Apex Legends developer, is EA’s real winner. EA expects “outstanding growth” in battle royale, and Apex Legends attracted more than 13 million active players per week last season. This boom would be a credit to the publisher, however.
Apex has been a huge success because of Respawn, but we have a great partnership with them to make it even better. In just two years, Apex is worth almost $2 billion. This is a rare feat in our industry. It’s a great accomplishment that we don’t get enough credit for.”
It is obvious that this sounds hollow considering the number of studios EA has shut down in its recent history. Dead Space may be getting a remake, but it was only four years ago that series creator Visceral Games was closed by the publisher. That’s not to mention sore spots like Command & Conquer creator Westwood, or Pandemic Studios getting shut down before it could realise its vision for Star Wars Battlefront 3.
Even EA’s “poster child”, Respawn, has been criticized by the publisher. Apex Legends may not have been a hit, but Titanfall 2’s notorious launch is a reminder of the publisher’s misguided actions. EA chose to release the less-known shooter between Battlefield 1 and Activision’s Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Predictably, Titanfall 2 failed to meet sales expectations.
EA may be doing well right now with its studios acquired. There are still reasons to be cautious that things will not go south if Apex or F1 fail to live up to expectations.
