EA earns $1.2 billion from live service titles during record first quarter
Live service franchises like FIFA helped publisher EA deliver record net bookings during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
As highlighted in the company's fiscal report for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, net bookings increased by 21 percent year-on-year to $1.6 billion.
A massive 75 percent of that total comprised net bookings generated by live service titles, with EA describing the business model as "highly resilient."
Overall live service net bookings increased by 4 percent year-on-year to $1.2 billion. FIFA led that charge, with EA noting the series just experienced the biggest Q1 in the franchise's long history.
"FIFA Ultimate Team engaged tens of millions of fans and daily average users grew 15 percent," said EA CEO Andrew Wilson during an earnings call. "FIFA Mobile attracted over 65 million new players in the quarter alone. FIFA Online produced double-digit growth across monthly, weekly and daily average users."
The Sims 4, which went free-to-play last year, also welcomed 4 million new players during the quarter. Apex Legends fell below expectations as a result of "underperformance from Season 17," but EA said it will continue to invest in the series and backed Respawn to course correct.
"While this new season did not meet our financial expectations, the team has applied important learnings—including new game mechanics to engage and retain players, which are already generating momentum," said Wilson, discussing what's next for Apex.
Looking beyond the live service horizon, full game net bookings increased by 143 percent year-on-year to $401 million, driven by the release of Star Was Jedi: Survivor. EA CFO Stuart Canfield described the sequel as a "critical success" and noted the title performed in line with
Read more on gamedeveloper.com
