Electronic Arts has undergone a dramatic transformation ever since John Riccitiello became chief executive officer. The company, once maligned for its sequel-laden portfolio, took substantial risks in 2008 by investing in numerous original IPs, instead of “exploiting” existing IP’s in a never ending string of sequels, Madden notwithstanding. New IP’s  included “Mirror’s Edge,” “Dead Space,” “Boom Blox” and “Spore.”

Unfortunately, the publisher’s significant risks have not seen equal rewards.

Due to disappointing sales of some holiday titles, the company will have to fire 1,000 employees, consolidate or shutter “at least nine” studios and reduce its 2009 publishing portfolio. The publisher’s Burnaby studio will receive staffers from the first confirmed studio casualty, EA Black Box (”Need for Speed” franchise).

As of mid-December, “Dead Space,” “Mirror’s Edge” and “Burnout Paradise” had all failed to surpass one million units sold. The newest “Burnout” title released almost a year ago in January, while “Dead Space” and “Mirror’s Edge” came out in October and November, respectively. However, Will Wright’s “Spore,” despite being stolen by an absurd amount of people, has managed to shift over two million units. The company has since released a “de-authorization tool” to appease PC gamers upset by the title’s restrictive DRM protection.

Though EA is currently navigating some stormy financial waters, it seems that the company will continue to invest in unique, original titles. In the future, the company is set to publish Double Fine’s “Brutal Legend,” “Dante’s Inferno,” and a horror game created by Grasshopper Manufacture’s Goichi Suda (”No More Heroes”) and Shinji Mikami (”Resident Evil”). I would be remiss if I didn’t mention EA’s relationships with Valve (”Left 4 Dead”) and Harmonix (”Rock Band”), which should produce some quality games in the future. A handful of EA titles are now available through Valve’s Steam service, with more to come next year.

I only hope that the publishing powerhouse doesn’t make this mistake again. A united SGC is a powerful thing.

Riccitiello promised that he would lead a new EA. Thus far, he has kept his word. The company published a plethora of awesome games this year, and its reformation from hated video game behemoth and allowing Activision to take over that mantle earns it the twentieth spot on our list of the top gaming moments of 2008.

Sources: Gamasutra, bit-tech.net

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