Last Updated:

2024-04-15 22:59:54

Electronic Arts

American video game company founded in 1982.

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American video game company founded in 1982.

Electronic Arts (EA) is a leading American video game company established in 1982. Known for popular franchises like Battlefield, The Sims, and FIFA, EA has acquired and developed various game studios over the years. In addition to creating games, EA also operates its own digital distribution platform called EA App.

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1979

VisiCalc Demonstration

A demonstration of VisiCalc, the first electronic spreadsheet program for personal computers, which revolutionized the way businesses handled their financial data.

1982-05-27

Founding of Electronic Arts Inc.

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) was founded in May 1982 by former Apple employee Trip Hawkins. The company was a pioneer in the early home computer game industry and emphasized the importance of designers and programmers as 'software artists'.

1982-05-28

Electronic Arts Founded

Electronic Arts (EA) was founded by Trip Hawkins in 1982. The company started with a focus on quality and professionalism in game development, working with independent talent to elevate the computer game industry.

1983-05-20

EA ships its first games

28 years ago on May 20, 1983, Electronic Arts (EA) shipped its very first games. The entire company, consisting of just a few dozen people, gathered in a warehouse in South San Francisco to pack up the boxes and load the UPS trucks.

1984

Larry Probst appointed vice president of EA

In 1984, Larry Probst was appointed as the vice president of Electronic Arts. He implemented a strategy of cutting out distributors and dealing with retailers directly, which ultimately led to EA becoming the leading supplier of entertainment software in the US by 1986.

1986

EA becomes leading supplier of entertainment software in the US

By 1986, Electronic Arts had become the leading supplier of entertainment software in the United States. This was achieved through a strategic move of cutting out distributors and directly dealing with retailers, which proved to be successful.

1987-07-27

Electronic Arts Hires Zerbe

Clifford Carlsen's piece in the San Francisco Business Times on July 27, 1987, highlights Electronic Arts' decision to hire Zerbe and their forward-looking approach.

1988

Madden NFL Series Begins

In 1988, Electronic Arts started the Madden NFL series, marking the beginning of its successful sports game franchise.

1989-10

EA goes public

In October 1989, Electronic Arts went public, raising approximately $80 million through its Initial Public Offering (IPO).

1990-06

EA ships its first games for Sega's Genesis

In June 1990, EA released its first games for Sega's Genesis, marking its entry into the 16-bit video game market.

1990-10

EA signs agreement to become Nintendo licensee

In October 1990, EA signed an agreement to become a licensee for Nintendo, expanding its reach to another gaming platform.

1991-05-27

Electronic Smarts

Julie Pitta's article in Forbes from May 27, 1991, talks about electronic smarts.

1991-06-24

Jury Still Out on Video Games

Eben Shapiro's piece in the San Jose Mercury News from June 24, 1991, examines the prospects of video games, particularly Electronic Arts.

1992-09

Formation of Electronic Arts Victor Inc.

In September 1992, EA formed a joint venture with Japan's Victor Musical Industries Inc., creating Electronic Arts Victor Inc. This Tokyo-based company translated and distributed EA's games for the Japanese market and other Asian countries, leading to a 140 percent increase in sales in Japan.

1993-05-21

Game Plan Pays Off for Software Maker

An article in the San Francisco Business Times from May 21, 1993, discusses how a software maker's strategic game plan led to success in a competitive field.

1994-04-25

Plugging in to a New Game Plan

Linda Grant's piece in U.S. News & World Report from April 25, 1994, discusses plugging in to a new game plan.

1995

EA Ports 3DO and Flagship Sports Games to Sony Playstation

In 1995, EA quickly adapted its 3DO and flagship sports games to be playable on the newly released Sony Playstation.

1997

EA Acquires Maxis

In 1997, EA acquired Maxis, the company founded by Will Wright known for creating SimCity. This acquisition led to the development of The Sims, a highly successful game for EA.

1998

EA Acquires Westwood Studios

In 1998, Electronic Arts acquired Westwood Studios, expanding its portfolio and influence in the gaming industry.

1999

EA's Net Revenues Exceed Billion-Dollar Mark

By 1999, EA's net revenues had surpassed one billion dollars, with a significant portion coming from international sales. The company had also expanded its global presence with offices in multiple countries.

2000

EA releases key franchises across multiple platforms

In 2000, EA took advantage of the multi-platform gaming world by releasing its key franchises on PlayStation 2, Gamecube, and Microsoft Xbox.

2001

EA acquires Pogo.com

In 2001, EA entered the casual games scene by acquiring Pogo.com.

2002

16 EA titles sell over one million units each

In 2002, 16 EA titles achieved the milestone of selling over one million units each, with best-selling titles including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Sims, and Madden NFL 2002.

2003-03

Westwood Studios Closure

Westwood Studios, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, was acquired in August 1998 and later closed in March 2003.

2004

Electronic Arts Expands into Mobile Cell Phone Game Market

In 2004, Electronic Arts entered the mobile cell phone game market, marking a significant expansion of its gaming portfolio. This move demonstrated EA's commitment to adapting to new technologies and reaching a broader audience.

2005-04-11

EA signs licensing deal with Collegiate Licensing Company

On April 11, 2005, EA announced a 6-year licensing deal with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) for exclusive rights to college football content.

2006-02-01

EA announces staff cut

On February 1, 2006, Electronic Arts announced that it would cut worldwide staff by 5 percent.

2006-06-20

EA purchases Mythic Entertainment

On June 20, 2006, EA purchased Mythic Entertainment, who had finished making Warhammer Online.

2007-02

John Riccitiello becomes CEO of EA

In February 2007, Larry Probst stepped down and John Riccitiello took over as CEO of EA. He reorganized the company into four labels, each responsible for its own product development and publishing.

2007-10

Pandemic Studios Acquisition

Pandemic Studios, located in Los Angeles, California and Brisbane, Australia, was acquired in October 2007 and later closed in November 2009.

2008-02

EA makes takeover bid for Take-Two Interactive

In February 2008, Electronic Arts made a takeover bid for rival game company Take-Two Interactive.

2008-09

EA drops takeover bid for Take-Two Interactive

In September 2008, EA withdrew its takeover bid for rival game company Take-Two Interactive after unsuccessful negotiations, impacting the gaming industry's competitive landscape.

2009-02-02

EA gains exclusive rights to Robert Ludlum's work

On February 2, 2009, Ludlum Entertainment had inked a deal with Electronic Arts to grant exclusive rights to bring the work of Robert Ludlum into video gaming.

2009-06-24

EA merges BioWare and Mythic Entertainment

On June 24, 2009, EA announced it would merge two of its development studios, BioWare and Mythic, into one single role-playing video game and MMO development powerhouse.

2009-11-09

EA announces layoffs of 1,500 employees

On November 9, 2009, EA announced layoffs of 1,500 employees, representing 17% of its workforce, across a number of studios including EA Tiburon, Visceral Games, Mythic and EA Black Box.

2010-10

EA acquires Chillingo and Playfish Limited

In October 2010, EA acquired England-based iPhone and iPad games publisher Chillingo and Playfish Limited, expanding its presence in the digital and mobile gaming sectors.

2011-05-04

EA Revenue Report

On May 4, 2011, EA reported $3.8 billion in revenues for the fiscal year ending March 2011, showcasing significant financial success.

2011-05-20

Launch of akatkin2011

The launch of akatkin2011 took place on May 20, 2011.

2012

EA Named Worst Company in America

Consumerist dubbed EA as the Worst Company in America for two consecutive years, 2012 and 2013, due to its negative reputation as the 'Evil Empire' of the gaming industry.

2013-03-18

John Riccitiello Steps Down as CEO of EA

John Riccitiello announced his resignation as CEO of Electronic Arts, effective March 30, 2013. Larry Probst was appointed as the executive chairman on the same day.

2014-09-02

The Sims 4 Release

The release of The Sims 4, a popular life simulation game developed by Electronic Arts.

2015-11-15

The Early History of Electronic Arts

The podcast episode delves into the early history of Electronic Arts, covering topics such as the original founders, financing, the origin of the name, initial games, controversies, and core tenets of EA.

2017-10

Controversy Over Microtransactions in Star Wars Battlefront II

EA faced backlash over the use of microtransactions in Star Wars Battlefront II, leading to a drop in stock value and government debates on the regulation of loot boxes.

2018-03

EA Modifies Microtransactions in Battlefront II

EA modified the microtransaction system in Star Wars Battlefront II to eliminate pay-to-win elements and reduce costs for unlocking characters.

2019-02-06

Stock Decline Due to Battlefield V Marketing

EA's stock value declined in February 2019, attributed to the marketing and reception of Battlefield V, as well as the absence of the Battle Royale game mode.

2019-08-14

Departure of Patrick Söderlund from EA

Patrick Söderlund announced his departure from EA in August 2018 after serving as vice-president and chief design officer for twelve years.

2020-08-18

Rebranding of EA Access and Origin to EA Play

EA rebranded its subscription services, EA Access and Origin, to EA Play in August 2020 as part of a streamlining effort.

2021-11-19

Battlefield™ 2042 Release

The launch of Battlefield™ 2042, the latest installment in the renowned Battlefield series by Electronic Arts.

2022-05

End of Partnership between EA and FIFA

In May 2022, EA and FIFA decided to end their partnership, with FIFA 23 being the final title under the current license. EA announced the rebranding of the FIFA series as EA Sports FC.

2022-07

EA Twitter Controversy over Single-Player Games

In July 2022, Electronic Arts faced backlash after a tweet mocking single-player game players. The tweet sparked outrage among fans and employees, leading to internal resolution.

2023-02-28

Layoff of 200 QA Testers in Baton Rouge Office

On February 28, 2023, EA laid off 200 QA testers from its Baton Rouge, Louisiana office, most of whom were working on Respawn Entertainment's Apex Legends game.

2023-03-29

Announcement of Workforce Layoff

In March 2023, EA announced a layoff of 6% of its workforce, amounting to 775 employees.

2023-08-23

Reduction of Roles at BioWare

On August 23, 2023, EA announced the elimination of 50 roles at BioWare, equivalent to 20% of its workforce, leading to a lawsuit by former employees seeking better severance.

2023-09-29

Amazon Rumored to Buy Electronic Arts

There are rumors circulating that Amazon is considering acquiring Electronic Arts, a major player in the gaming industry. This potential acquisition could signal a shift in the gaming landscape as big tech companies enter the fray.

2024-03-27

Kate Kellogg's Leadership Journey at EA Studios

Exploration of Kate Kellogg's path as the COO of EA Studios, focusing on her leadership style and vision for the gaming industry's future.

2024-04-09

Expansion of Battlefield Team

The Battlefield team is growing to prepare for the future of the game series.

2024-04-15

Electronic Arts Inc.

Electronic Arts Inc. is featured in the International Directory of Company Histories, Volume 85 on Encyclopedia.com. The entry provides information about the company's history and background.

2024-05-05

EA Share Price Reaches $129

As of May 5, 2024, EA's share price was $129, contributing to a net worth of $34.63 billion.

2024-05-14

Business2Community Article on EA

Business2Community published an article detailing EA's 30-year journey, highlighting key developments and milestones that shaped the company into a formidable force in the video game market.

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Electronic Arts