In the News, EA Loses $641mil, Layoffs Increase by 1% ... Include Any UO Devs?

[Pickaxe Pete]

I'm sorry if this was posted elsewhere, but I thought it was interesting reading. Here is the article.

Electronic Arts Continues to Struggle according to the latest figures.

Electronic Arts has reported a loss of $641 million for the quarter ending December according to GameSpot. EA stated they would be lowering their full fiscal-year estimates. For the year ending March 31, 2009, EA now expects to make between $4.2 billion and $4.25 billion in fiscal 2009, with a loss per share of between $3.29 and $3.56.

One of the causes was poor holiday season sales according to CEO John Riccitiello, who called the results a "a clear disappointment." He also stated, "Our holiday quarter came in below our expectations, and we have significantly reduced our financial outlook for fiscal 2009."

According to Riccitiello, the quality of games produced by Electronic Arts was not one of the causes for EA's troubles and is instead one of their strengths that will support them into the future. He stated, "We delivered on game quality and innovation in calendar 2008, with 13 games rated 80 or above, more than any third-party publisher. We expect to build on this great-quality record in the year ahead while delivering more profitability."

In addition to the large losses, Electronic Arts announced they will increase planned layoffs to 11% of their workforce from 10%. Roughly 1100 individuals will lose their jobs and 12 facilities are scheduled to be closed down.

Three high profile games that had planned launches in the 2009 fiscal year will also be delayed. The Sims 3, which was expected on February 20, is now expected to arrive on June 2. BioWare's Dragon Age: Origins, which was expected to launch before the end of March has been delayed. Godfather II will also be delayed.

Rounding out the bad news EA Mythic's Warhammer Online subscriber base has fallen to 300,000 according to the latest figures. In October, the game had more than 750,000 registered users.

 

[Basara]

Note that, other than the misleading WAR numbers, most of the bad news seems to be centered on the console gaming area.

I wonder if anyone would point out that "subscriber base" and "registered users" are apples and oranges.

Every account that has EVER played UO even on a trial account is a "registered user", while "subscribers" are those currently paying for the service.

For WAR, the amount of drop-off really isn't that big a deal, realistically. Those who bought the game, played it for the time that came with the account, then went back to UO, WOW, Guild Wars, etc. (their prior game that they went back to, after deciding WAR wasn't their game) is the primary reason for WAR (or EVERY OTHER GAME) having a subscriber dropoff.

I'd hate to think what the disparity between those two numbers is for UO - or what WOW's real numbers are (all off-the-record info I've heard is that their subscriber numbers are inflated, as they report their total "registered users" as if it was their current "Subscriber Base")

 

[BartofCats]

ok we got it.. third thread this week on EA loosing money... wanna start a fourth??? Surely if someone from the dev team were laid off they would be here already saying "hey, just wanted to say thanks and goodbye...." however guess what?? WE DIDNT SEE IT!!!

Also, why would they lay off the devs for UO when they are planning a massive expansion?? that wouldnt make sense. however, im not the one in charge. Somehow I doubt they would have dumped someone off the SA project. middle managements, and community reps maybe.... but not devs.

my opinion of course.

 

[Lord_Puffy]

Note that, other than the misleading WAR numbers, most of the bad news seems to be centered on the console gaming area.

I wonder if anyone would point out that "subscriber base" and "registered users" are apples and oranges.

Every account that has EVER played UO even on a trial account is a "registered user", while "subscribers" are those currently paying for the service.

For WAR, the amount of drop-off really isn't that big a deal, realistically. Those who bought the game, played it for the time that came with the account, then went back to UO, WOW, Guild Wars, etc. (their prior game that they went back to, after deciding WAR wasn't their game) is the primary reason for WAR (or EVERY OTHER GAME) having a subscriber dropoff.

I'd hate to think what the disparity between those two numbers is for UO - or what WOW's real numbers are (all off-the-record info I've heard is that their subscriber numbers are inflated, as they report their total "registered users" as if it was their current "Subscriber Base")

You think any of it had to do with people not wanting to invest time into a game they know they'd be quitting for greener grasses.

I know I got into WAR worked up 2 level 40's and than saw the release date for dark fall. I pvp alot so a game like darkfall was obviously more suited for my playstyle...

I was just curious how many people ended up doing the same thing as me. I didnt come back to uo this time thats for sure. I will not give them another dollar....

12.99 for 10 year old content, na im good.

 

[Lord_Puffy]

ok we got it.. third thread this week on EA loosing money... wanna start a fourth??? Surely if someone from the dev team were laid off they would be here already saying "hey, just wanted to say thanks and goodbye...." however guess what?? WE DIDNT SEE IT!!!

Also, why would they lay off the devs for UO when they are planning a massive expansion?? that wouldnt make sense. however, im not the one in charge. Somehow I doubt they would have dumped someone off the SA project. middle managements, and community reps maybe.... but not devs.

my opinion of course.

How long have you been playing ultima online, since when do they tell us anything...

Keep the big boy talk to the veterans and slow your role newbie.

 

[Winker]

ok we got it.. third thread this week on EA loosing money... wanna start a fourth???

the op started by saying....

I'm sorry if this was posted elsewhere, but I thought it was interesting reading. Here is the article.

so why comment on other posts being made!

 

[Bara]

I'd hate to think what the disparity between those two numbers is for UO - or what WOW's real numbers are (all off-the-record info I've heard is that their subscriber numbers are inflated, as they report their total "registered users" as if it was their current "Subscriber Base")

Off topic but...

The 11,000,000 number for wow is suprisingly all active subscriptions.

Shocking, but true.

 

[Hemisphere]

Off topic but...

The 11,000,000 number for wow is suprisingly all active subscriptions.

Shocking, but true.

Yup. Blizzard havve made it perfectly clear on a number of occasions, how they determine their subscription figures, particularly as it's continually a subject of some controversy.

I don't know why people find it so hard to believe though. If someone told you the latest Mario game sold 15 million units, you wouldn't bat an eyelid. The difference is Mario is marketed at young children and teens without much money, whereas WoW is marketed to older teenagers and adults with plenty of money to spend on a monthly subscription to an addictive game.

 

[Petrify]

Yup. Blizzard havve made it perfectly clear on a number of occasions, how they determine their subscription figures, particularly as it's continually a subject of some controversy.

I don't know why people find it so hard to believe though. If someone told you the latest Mario game sold 15 million units, you wouldn't bat an eyelid. The difference is Mario is marketed at young children and teens without much money, whereas WoW is marketed to older teenagers and adults with plenty of money to spend on a monthly subscription to an addictive game.

A lot of people who play WoW are 12 or under. WoW is just an easy mode MMO that appeals to the more simple/main stream gamers.

 

[Salivern_Diago]

One of the reasons EA has a low turnover is simply becuase they couldnt give a rats ass about thier paying subscribers. Put UO back on the shelves, hire decent GM's (Or let them do thier job properly) and put a huge advertising campaign in place. Get the old players back, get new blood afterall... How many games can say they have been running for over 11 years and still going?

UO can make them alot of money if they just put the effort it with all these silly new MMO's that fail after a year!

 

[The Craftsman]

One of the reasons EA has a low turnover is simply becuase they couldnt give a rats ass about thier paying subscribers.

Absolutely correct

Put UO back on the shelves, hire decent GM's (Or let them do thier job properly) and put a huge advertising campaign in place. Get the old players back, get new blood afterall... How many games can say they have been running for over 11 years and still going?

UO can make them alot of money if they just put the effort it with all these silly new MMO's that fail after a year!

Absolutely wrong. Never going to happen.

 

[Heartseeker]

One of the reasons EA has a low turnover is simply becuase they couldnt give a rats ass about thier paying subscribers. Put UO back on the shelves, hire decent GM's (Or let them do thier job properly) and put a huge advertising campaign in place. Get the old players back, get new blood afterall... How many games can say they have been running for over 11 years and still going?

Micky D's has been running a lot longer than UO; doesn't mean their burgers are any good.

 

[Salivern_Diago]

If you dont like the game then why are you playing it and/or posting here?

At lest try to post something positive if your replying to my posts please. Its so annoying having to read rubbish :/

 

[Thunderz]

Update From Mythic
Robert Mull
04 Feb 2009 12:10:55
As director of the MMO community here at Mythic, I'd like to refer you to a post made by Mark Jacobs on the Warhammer Herald regarding changes here at Mythic. I'd like to mirror these sentiments for UO. Ultima Online has an active and dedicated community of world-wide players. EA has supported this franchise for over 11 years and as long we have players dedicating themselves to the game that will not change. As a company, EA is proud to have three exciting MMOs UO, DAOC and Warhammer Online in its family of games.


Just out of courosity has this not been seen on UO herold?? UO will never dye as long as we play it they continue giving us new and exciting things to do

IV always thought UO will dye when the last person to leave means there in a loss an id put that at probably when us late 20's stop playing and paying. As were probably the youngest to have gona and played WOW for one and got bored an come back to UO (maybe some younger but not substantual or mature enough [sorry]).
We dont have to wait 12-18 months for a new quest or adventure/ doungeon/lvl up AGAIN or even now EM's again they feed us our pixel crack every couple of months.
I see me being there when they close it and ill probably still be a minority as you look at the numbers at the events you can see the people go "gosh" this many people still play UO!!!
As long as were here UO will be

 

[Amren]

Yup. Blizzard havve made it perfectly clear on a number of occasions, how they determine their subscription figures, particularly as it's continually a subject of some controversy.

I don't know why people find it so hard to believe though. If someone told you the latest Mario game sold 15 million units, you wouldn't bat an eyelid. The difference is Mario is marketed at young children and teens without much money, whereas WoW is marketed to older teenagers and adults with plenty of money to spend on a monthly subscription to an addictive game.

A lot of people who play WoW are 12 or under. WoW is just an easy mode MMO that appeals to the more simple/main stream gamers.

LOL

and other then trying to find a place to place a castle, where is the challenge in UO?

Learning your role and learning teamwork is key to WoW. Something you could never say about UO since the game could be solo'ed by anyone who can use a mouse.

 

[RavenWinterHawk]

Dudes.

4.2 billion.

UO is developed. It doesnt cost much to keep it running. Free income from all the bone heads like me.

Why is that so hard to grasp?

 

[the 4th man]

Off topic but...

The 11,000,000 number for wow is suprisingly all active subscriptions.

Shocking, but true.

I'm shocked that there's actually 11,000 people willing to hang onto such a superficial game play. I tried it and it's a hyped up console game, except you get to play online with a bunch of kids and immature adults. (sorry people, it's true)

World of Warcraft can only stand the test of time to prove it's success. If history has taught us anything,(not you kids), when a fad comes along, everyone wants to jump on board......

As far as EA goes and the economy, welcome to the real world.....seems the ceo's can't dupe their own earnings.

 

[Amren]

I'm shocked that there's actually 11,000 people willing to hang onto such a superficial game play. I tried it and it's a hyped up console game, except you get to play online with a bunch of kids and immature adults. (sorry people, it's true)

World of Warcraft can only stand the test of time to prove it's success. If history has taught us anything,(not you kids), when a fad comes along, everyone wants to jump on board......

As far as EA goes and the economy, welcome to the real world.....seems the ceo's can't dupe their own earnings.

OK so how does that differ from UO?

In UO, much like WoW you are in it for your own personal gain. We all have our online goals.

Seriously, how does choping wood from a virtual tree in a virtual world mean the gameplay is more meaningful?

 

[Silverbird]

One of the causes was poor holiday season sales according to CEO John Riccitiello, who called the results a "a clear disappointment."

They should have released a decent 11'th anniversary edition for UO.

Besides that: I guess the european servers for DAOC are closer to beeing closed than UO itself. But those servers are run by another company and thats another (sad) story.

 

[Cyrah]

It better not take any!

What happened to the new guy who just said hello to us today??? Stephen?