EA CFO: Users Spending Up To $700 on FIFA Ultimate Team

[ChaseB]

Eric Brown, Electronic Arts' CFO, pointed out today at the UBS 38th Annual Media and Communications Conference that fans of FIFA Ultimate Team mode are willing to pony up the cash to improve their teams with virtual soccer cards, according to Gamespot.

"We see people spending $500, $600, $700 on digital card packs to play Ultimate Team simulation mode," Brown told investors.

Spending that amount of virtual space bucks on virtual cards obviously makes it clear why EA was intent on adding the Ultimate Team mode to other sports franchises like Madden and NHL. And while Brown did not point out how much money the Madden and NHL series have brought in on the Ultimate Team front, the increasing amount of profits brought in by FIFA Ultimate Team show that UT mode is at least a successful model for the footie franchise.

For FIFA 09--the first game to introduce Ultimate Team mode--EA brought in $15 million in digital revenues thanks to the Ultimate Team trading-card packs. Brown pegged the development cost of adding the mode in the single-digit millions. The following year's game brought in roughly $30 million, and while FIFA 11 numbers aren't final yet, Brown said he expects that growth trend to continue.

Overall, EA expects $750 million, or about 20 percent of its revenue, to come from the digital business. So we should probably expect more DLC rather than less in our sports games in the future.

Source - EA expects 20% of sales to be digital (Gamespot)

[statum71]

There's not a sports game in the world that's THAT fun.

[khaliib]

Unfortunately, Madden has worn it's welcome out. Also, their NFL and College game has "Too" many things still wrong with them that needs to be address before they should look to depend on DLC for extra revenue.

Fifa is a good game. An alternative to take a break from a gamers main game. But they would be foolish to think such DLC revenues would be the same with their other sports (Basketball, Football) games that litter game forums with complaints.

We are still trying to find ways to fix their College Football game ratings/gameplay issues created by those Tuner Packs, and not one Dev from this series has communicated with us about how things are working out.

I'll give it to Ian with Madden, at least he's communicating with gamers for ideas (yes they did it for the past 2 yrs, but he's here). Yet I would say EA is foolish to try and gauge more money from gamers when their products have been far behind were they should be.

At the end of the day, this of charging more $$$ for DLC that used to be in games will push more gamers to "rent-before-buy" attitude.

Any minute now before other Game Developers are able to make Pro/College Football games, then EA will be "giving" away DLC to get gamers.

[khaliib]

As far people spending $500-$700 virtual money for these packs, investors and banks do the same thing amongst themselves in the housing market to make it seem like people in an area are actually buying, when in reality, they are not. That's the good thing about virtual. You can create the facade you would like to have.

Nice try!!!

[tabulaRasa]

I think I have spent 100$ on HUT in NHL11, why? Because I want to save time and I can.

[Dalsanto0026]

What a waste of money.

[bwright25]

As far people spending $500-$700 virtual money for these packs, investors and banks do the same thing amongst themselves in the housing market to make it seem like people in an area are actually buying, when in reality, they are not. That's the good thing about virtual. You can create the facade you would like to have.

Nice try!!!

People definitely spend real money.....FUT11 is loads of fun if your into club soccer. Playing the trade market is a game in itself.