Electronic Arts 2009 Annual Report Download - page 83

Annual Report
CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements
regarding industry prospects and future results of operations or financial position, made in this Report are
forward looking. We use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate” (and the
negative of any of these terms), “future” and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk and reflect
management’s current expectations, and involve subjects that are inherently uncertain and difficult to
predict. Our actual results could differ materially. We will not necessarily update information if any
forward-looking statement later turns out to be inaccurate. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our
future results include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors,” beginning
on page 12.
PART I
Item 1: Business
Overview
Electronic Arts (“EA™”) develops, markets, publishes and distributes video game software and content that can
be played by consumers on a variety of platforms, including:
• Video game consoles such as the PLAYSTATION®3, Microsoft Xbox 360™ and Nintendo Wii™,
• Personal computers, including the Macintosh (we refer to personal computers and the Macintosh together
as “PCs”),
• Handheld game players such as the PlayStation®Portable (“PSP™”) and Nintendo DS™, and
• Wireless devices, such as cellular phones and smart phones, including the Apple iPhone.
Our ability to publish games across multiple platforms has been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of our
product strategy. Historically, there have been multiple video game consoles and handheld game players
available to consumers, and there has been vigorous competition among these platforms for consumer
acceptance. In fiscal year 2009, the platforms for which we produced the most software products were:
Platform
Number of titles developed and
published by EA in fiscal year 2009
Xbox 360 ......................................................... 24
PLAYSTATION 3 ................................................. 22
PC .............................................................. 22
Nintendo DS ...................................................... 22
Wii.............................................................. 20
PlayStation 2 ...................................................... 14
PSP ............................................................. 8
In addition to the platforms listed above, we also published over 35 games for wireless devices during fiscal year
2009.
Our products for videogame consoles, PCs and handhelds are delivered on physical media (disks and cartridges)
that are sold at retail stores and through mail-order (we call these “packaged goods” products). We also provide
content and services electronically, directly to consumers, for each of the platforms listed above. Some
electronically delivered content and services are add-ons or are related to our packaged goods products (e.g.,
add-on content or matchmaking services); while other games, content and services that we offer, such as games
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