Electronic
Arts announced preliminary financial results for
its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2007.
Net revenue for the quarter was $395 million, down four percent as
compared with $413 million for the prior year. Beginning this quarter,
EA no longer charges for hosting services related to certain
online-enabled packaged goods games. As a result, the Company
recognizes revenue from the sale of these games over the estimated
hosting service period. This change resulted in a $36 million
sequential increase in deferred net revenue as of June 30, 2007, which
will be recognized in future periods.
Sales were driven by Harry Potter and the Order of the
Phoenix, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars , The Sims 2
Pets, Need for Speed Carbon and The Sims 2.
Gross profit for the quarter was $229 million, down seven percent
year-over-year. Net loss for the quarter was $132 million as compared
with a net loss of $81 million for the prior year. Diluted loss per
share was $0.42 as compared with $0.26 for the prior year.
Looking ahead, EA plans to launch 10 new properties this fiscal year including Boogie,
EA Playground, Army of Two, SKATE, Warhammer
Online, The Simpsons Game, Smarty Pants, a Wii title
jointly developed with Steven Spielberg, Rock Band and
Crysis.