So, given the generally stagnant sales of Dead Space and Crysis, I probably wouldn't hold my breath for new entries from EA.
That said, Crytek owns the Crysis IP, so another publisher might take that.
Since some people seem confused, they are expecting to release more titles per year in the future though:
That said, Crytek owns the Crysis IP, so another publisher might take that.
Source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/141...-results-earnings-call-transcript?part=singleSeeking Alpha said:Edward Williams from BMO Capital Markets.
Edward S. Williams - BMO Capital Markets U.S.
Just a couple of quick questions. Larry, I was wondering if you and Blake can kind of follow up on your comments with regards to kind of your confidence level in the cost structure as we enter this console transition, given as you pointed out, Larry, that it's been 31 years, you haven't been able to keep costs flat on a year-to-year basis. And then secondly, Frank, if you can tell me a little bit more, just clarify for me a little bit more about Star Wars in terms of which platforms the games actually can be playable on?
Blake J. Jorgensen - Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Let me start. This is Blake. I'll start with the operating margin question around the console transition. I think as everyone knows, we've given guidance over the last year that we were spending roughly $100 million a year on next-gen development. We've continued to include that in our expenses. What we've done is we've gone through a very detailed process to eliminate expenses associated with products that either aren't growing or aren't large enough or aren't on platforms that we feel are long-term viable in the industry. And then we've also focused on how to minimize costs around the support structures inside the organization to make sure that the studios are getting the core funding for developing games. And so we've tried to consolidate our marketing organizations. We've tried to consolidate our G&A support to make sure that we have a very lean structure. And we've taken those actions during the last 2 quarters to try to tee us up in a position where we'd be able to announce to you that we're going to hold our costs flat for the coming year. We're very confident of that. And for those who know Larry, he's a very tough manager. And so he's holding the executive team to that goal, and we're very focused on continuing to look for ways to bring our operating costs down to continue on the journey of expanding our margins.
Since some people seem confused, they are expecting to release more titles per year in the future though:
Seeking Alpha said:Andrew D. Connor - Piper Jaffray Companies, Research Division
And if I could just ask a question on the total console title count with the addition to maybe some Star Wars games moving forward and NBA Live, do you expect the total console title count to increase during the next gen or is it going to kind of continue to be at this reduced level?
Frank D. Gibeau - President of The EA Labels
My expectation -- this is Frank. My expectation is that as the console transition gets through this year and expands, you'll see our title count go up.