Robert Passarella

EA: Microsoft, Sony, We Have a Problem

Sony PS2 large installed base has given EA the audience for large budget titles. Being able to sell Madden — to a world with a 100 million+ consoles is a gravy train.

I think he was talking about exclusives as a whole for Sony or delayed platform releases. PS3 gets it first — then XBOX way later, that is not going to happen in this stage of the console wars. There have been plenty of titles on PS2 with delayed or spaced releases — off the top of my head Red Octane’s (Activision) Guitar Hero series ( I & II) is one that is exclusive to PS2 — with finally Xbox 360 getting it this year. And it's a big deal.

Right now, the Internet sees wii as the big player while PS2 peters out. It is all about velocity. Hardcore gamers are going to go for the XBOX 360 given the price of PS3. The wii is the new mainstream platform replacing the PS2. Will Xbox 360 get to 100 million+ ?
I don’t think so.

Wii has the best shot because it’s tapping into mainstream, it has the velocity.

EA has a shot but they are playing catch up. Licensed properties will be the play, they have to leverage Potter, Madden, and the others. The door is wide open given the different gaming experience on wii. Madden 07 was ok, on the wii, but a lot of the control motion seemed bolted on instead of innovative — look for that to be improved. EA took a risk on Xbox 360 with changing the controls around for NHL07 and that was so-so, 2k fared much better. The key is titles in the pipeline for a growing platform. EA can dominate sports titles on the wii unless 2k gets there first and delivers the goods. The most popular games on the wii are the short 'limited' games in wii sports, like tennis, baseball and bowling.

As for aiming for number 2, EA is the biggest provider of gaming content in the industry, they want to be #1, make no mistake.