As the games industry faces a slope toward reclaiming glory in 2009 after telling periods of year-on-year decline, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello believes there is little to fear for annual industry growth before the company's financial year winds down. The secret weapon is the gaming businesses which market research firms like the NPD Group don't track for sales numbers, specifically those not tied to traditional retail.
Industry figures from traditional business models alone won't be the only factor in determining just how healthy the industry really is. Riccitiello is betting on emerging business models to highlight how more consumers are starting to purchase games differently, and these are the models tied to digital distribution and microtransactions.
Riccitiello forsees his company slowly adapting to accomodate a "direct-to-consumer business" to the point where its boxed retail releases will be eclipsed by digital downloads and online casual titles, perhaps as early as next year. To be sure, EA has no intentions of ditching boxed retail releaes for good; Riccitiello still takes pride in his company being the "world's leader in packaged goods games."
Source:Reuters
Sections:Console Games, PC Games, Internet Related
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