EA struggles to keep up with declining console game sales

Source: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/185767/EA_struggles_to_keep_up_with_declining_console_game_sales.php#.UQrt-nfNkyk
http://www.ea.com/past-year

EA's digital and hard copy game sales have dropped, rather
sharply, the last quarter of the year. Their sales didn't anywhere
come close to their sales from last year quarter, December 31 2011.
There was a $170 million difference between the two years, and their
not happy about it.

CEO John Riccitiello speculates that the reason for the
significant drop in sales is due to Sony and Microsoft. Both, Sony and
Microsoft, are preparing to release the details of their new systems,
thus consumers are now saving up for the next new home system. With
consumers locking down on their spending and preparing for the new
systems, it's going to be hard for anyone to sell games.

Most EA's primary titles seem to be selling quite well, in lieu of
current event. There was one game that didn't meet their standers nor
did it sell well, that game was "Medal of Honor Warfighter". The game
was a flop, sales wise and it did not deliver. This affected EA quite
hard, and after a conference call they decided to no longer keep the
"Medal of Honor" franchise as one of their ongoing titles.

Though there was another reason that might have contributed to their
lack of sales, though it wasn't stated, was their focus in the mobile
market. EA erupted into the mobile market this last year, pumping out
many games, ports, and add-ons for these mobile games.
At the end of the day, EA has had a rough year. They estimated that
they would earn about $1.29 billion by the end of the year, but they
came $45 million short. Hopefully they get things in gear, and maybe
try coming out with something new and innovative.

by Ian Florez