US video game maker Electronic Arts (EA) Inc. saw a successful release of its new soccer video game, ‘EA Sports FC 24,’ logging better-than-expected bookings in the second quarter.
The company said its net bookings for the second quarter increased 4% to $1.82 billion, above forecasts of $1.78 billion. Live services, which accounts for 73% of its business, and other net bookings also rose 1% to $1.13 billion.
For the full year, EA now estimates bookings at $7.30 billion to $7.70 billion, marking a 31% gain from prior expectations of $7.56 billion.
FC 24 Providing EA with an Advantage
FC 24, the successor of EA’s FIFA soccer franchise, led to the creation of 14.5 million active accounts since the title’s global launch on September 29. The game is EA’s first soccer game that does not bear the ‘FIFA’ branding in almost three decades.
FC Mobile also saw 11 million downloads in the first ten days, with EA chief executive Andrew Wilson citing the game’s popularity as the reason for the gains.
The success of FC 24 is vital as it plays a significant role in EA’s revenue.
The California-based video game publisher has made efforts to help the game gain more attention by introducing new features, including the HyperMotion V technology, which processes substantial amounts of data to enable in-game animations that are more realistic and unique to individuals.
A US research firm stated that FC 24 ranked third in the top-selling titles in September, with ‘Mortal Kombat 1’ and Starfield taking the second and first spot, respectively.
The company’s ‘Madden NFL 24,’ which delivered a net booking surge of 6% in the second quarter, came in fourth.
With EA’s minimal spending to market the game, analyst Michael Pachter sees the company being able to meet its profit targets.
The figures also presented a positive sign for the broader gaming sector amid concerns over high-interest rates and uncertain economic conditions weighing on video game demand.
