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Larry Probst Appointed Executive Chairman, Effective Immediately

 

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that John Riccitiello will step down as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors, effective March 30. The Board has appointed Larry Probst as Executive Chairman to ensure a smooth transition and to lead EA’s executive team while the Board conducts a search for a permanent CEO. The Board will consider internal and external candidates with the assistance of a leading executive search firm.
 
Mr. Probst has played a leadership role at EA since 1991. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board since 1994, he previously served as the Company’s CEO from 1991 to 2007. As CEO, Probst successfully grew the Company’s annual revenues from $175 million to approximately $3 billion, led EA into new platforms such as mobile, online and other emerging markets and expanded its international presence to more than 75 countries.
 
“We thank John for his contributions to EA since he was appointed CEO in 2007, especially the passion, dedication and energy he brought to the Company every single day,” said Mr. Probst. “John has worked hard to lead the Company through challenging transitions in our industry, and was instrumental in driving our very significant growth in digital revenues. We appreciate John’s leadership and the many important strategic initiatives he has driven for the Company. We have mutually agreed that this is the right time for a leadership transition.”
 
On behalf of the Board, Lead Director Richard A. Simonson stated, “As we begin the CEO search, we are fortunate that Larry, who has a proven track record with our employees, partners and customers, has agreed to assume a day-to-day leadership role as Executive Chairman. He has 16 years of experience as CEO of EA and a deep understanding of the Company’s strategy, management team, business potential and industry trends.”
 
Mr. Riccitiello stated, “EA is an outstanding company with creative and talented employees, and it has been an honor to serve as the Company’s CEO. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and after six years I feel it is the right time for me pass the baton and let new leadership take the Company into its next phase of innovation and growth. I remain very optimistic about EA’s future — there is a world class team driving the Company’s transition to the next generation of game consoles.”
 
 

Update Via Gamespot

 
The internal memo Riccitiello sent to Probst regarding his resignation was published by the Securities and Exchange Comission. It states that the “tough” decision to leave was borne of a desire for accountability to shareholders.
 
Mr. Larry Probst
Chairman Electronic Arts
 
Dear Larry,
 
“I hereby offer my resignation as CEO of Electronic Arts effective with the end of our Fiscal Year 13 on March 30, 2013.
 
This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability. The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I’m extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA’s shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss.
 
I have been at the helm as EA’s CEO for six years and served as COO for nearly seven years starting in 1997. I know this company well, and I care deeply about its future success. I leave knowing EA is a great company, with an enormously talented group of leaders and the strongest slate of games in the industry.
 
I could not be more proud of our company’s games, from Battlefield and FIFA, to The Simpsons: Tapped Out and Real Racing 3. We have built many great franchises that will serve the company well in FY14 and beyond. In particular, I am confident that the investments we have made in games for next-generation consoles will put EA in a strong leadership position for many years ahead.
 
In offering my resignation, my goal is to allow the talented leaders at EA a clean start on FY14. I look forward to working with you in the coming weeks on an effective leadership transition. I’m extremely honored to have led this company and proud to have worked with all the great people at Electronic Arts.”
 
Sincerely,
 
John Riccitiello
 

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A different promotion each day from 1st December, ending Christmas Day
 
EA is celebrating the countdown to Christmas on its official download platform, Origin.com with an Advent Calendar sale offering gamers across Europe exclusive daily deals from 1^st December until Christmas Day.
 
Deals on offer throughout this period include pre-order bonuses, discounts on top new titles and franchises, partner promotions and many more. The sale ends on Christmas Day where EA is giving gamers the Christmas Present of 50% off everything in the store!*
 
 
Other Advent Calendar highlights include*:
 
5th Dec – Up to 50% off selected Battlefield 3 titles
 
12th Dec – Pre-Order Crysis 3 and get £40 worth of voucher codes
 
22nd Dec – Buy More, Get More: Buy 1 get 20% off, Buy 2 get 30% off, Buy 3+ products and get 50% off.
 
 
To see the full selection of deals on offer, simply log on to Origin.com during the promotion period to see what treats we have in store for you that day.
 
Origin offers digital downloads of more than 500 PC titles from EA and other leading game publishers and is introducing a direct-to-consumer purchase option for EA packaged goods across most of Europe.  In addition to providing fast and safe game downloads and social connectivity to your gaming friends, Origin features live streaming demos, free-to-play games and cloud saves to save games and gameplay achievements online and access them from multiple PC gaming systems.
 
*restrictions apply. Please see Terms and Conditions.
 

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Simmers around the world rejoice! For those of you who love Origin, but hate digital games, are going to love this! Starting this week, Origin will begin shipping select physical games to the UK, and then begin the process of making this service available across Europe with all their products.

 
Until now, there’s been one part of Origin that we’ve only offered in North America: sales of boxed games. While Origin is primarily a place to download, play and connect to your favorite games online, sometimes you need a place to buy a disc-based game for your PC or console, and today we’re pleased to begin offering purchase and delivery of packaged EA games in Europe.
 
We’ll start this week with the UK, with additional countries being added throughout the month. By the end of November, customers across most of Europe will be able to enjoy this service. Initially, we’ll offer a selection of EA titles, and gradually include more games over time. And rest assured — all of the downloadable games in Origin’s library will remain available for players in Europe, and you’ll still be able to buy all of your favorite EA games at local retailers worldwide.
 
Offering boxed games for sale in Europe is another opportunity for Origin to bring the best gaming content in the world directly to the Origin community. As always, we hope you will leave us a comment and tell us how we can make Origin even better for you, no matter where you are.
 

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EA and Slim Jim have contractually intertwined to promote slim jims, games and give out freebies! Among the prizes is a chance to win a $5 Origin coupon, which can be used to purchase The Sims 3 Diesel, The Sims 3 Pets and other games. Check out the list of goodies to be won below, courtesy of Cheapassgamer.

 

Redeem Codes Here
 
 
Medal of Honor: Warfighter
Wallpaper – Eyes On
Wallpaper – KA
Wallpaper – Longshot
Wallpaper – Walking
Arctic Gun Camo (PC, PS3, 360) “Coming Soon”
Bosnia Gun Camo (PC, PS3, 360) “Coming Soon”
Desert Gun Camo (PC, PS3, 360) “Coming Soon”
 
 
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Wallpaper – Dodge Charger
Wallpaper – Corvette ZR1
Wallpaper – Porsche 918
Exclusive Dodge Charger (PC, PS3, 360) “Coming Soon”
 
 
Dead Space 3
“Coming February 2013″
 
 
Origin
$5 off coupon for select titles; titles pictured are The Sims 3: Pets, Need for Speed: The Run, SSX, Mass Effect 3, Battlefield 3 Premium, Fifa 12, Tiger Woods something, The Sims 3: Diesel, Fight Night Champion. Titles are mixed platforms of PC, PS3 and 360 so I assume this coupon will work for all systems; no idea how/if it stacks.
 
__________________
 
Other Prizes Include..
Xbox 360 and EA games
 
PS3 and EA games
 
TVs and Tablets
 
Trip to EA Games
 
Most, and certainly not least, a Slim Jim Gamer’s Ammo Belt
 
 

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EA ANNOUNCES FIRST PLAY GAME TOUR, 2012 IN AUSTRALIA

 

 
SYDNEY, Australia – August 22, 2012 – Electronic Arts, Australia is excited to announce the debut of its “First Play Game Tour,” to be held in five key shopping centres across the country. The First Play Game Tour is a unique experience that will give gamers the incredible opportunity to play EA’s most-anticipated video games before they hit the shelves in the next few months.
 
Each stop of the tour will be held over four days and will feature a major launch event, gaming tournaments, celebrity appearances and exclusive merchandise giveaways. Titles playable on the “First Play Game Tour” will include: EA SPORTS FIFA 13, Need for Speed™ Most Wanted, Medal of Honor™ Warfighter, Dead Space™3, Crysis®3 and more.
 
“EA has an incredibly strong line-up of games this year. The First Play Game Tour is a great opportunity to bring these games to our fans before their release,” says Simon Smith-Wright, Regional Marketing Director at EA. “This is the first time EA has had the chance to put on a public event of this magnitude in Australia. We’re excited to meet our players around the country and to give them the opportunity to be the first to play the best of EA.”
 
The First Play Games Tour will take place in the Centre Court in each of the following centres during these dates:
 

• VIC – Westfield Fountain Gate, Melbourne – Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 September, 2012
• VIC – Highpoint Shopping Centre, Melbourne – Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 September, 2012
• NSW – Westfield East Gardens – Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 September, 2012
• NSW – Westfield Parramatta – Tuesday 25 to Sunday 30 September, 2012
• QLD – Westfield Carindale – Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 October, 2012

 
For further details on locations, events and times, please visit: www.ea.com/au/news/ea-australia-first-play-tour
 
For your chance to attend exclusive launch events in each city keep an on eye on the EA Games Australia Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/EAGamesAustralia
 

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Tomorrow at 9am Central Time, we will be hosting EA’s Gamescom Press Conference live on SimsVIP. If you miss the conference, we will have a replay for you to watch at a later time.

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EA’s Summer Showcase (link) - Thanks Sims Nieuws! 

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Presentations, Demos & Announcements from this year’s EA Showcase. Let’s hope they announce Seasons! We will broadcast the Showcase live right here on SimsVIP.

Thank you to Andrew8 for the link!

Join our live broadcast this Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. UTC) and experience EA’s annual Summer Showcase firsthand. This year’s event will include presentations, announcements, and live demos from titles including Battlefield 3: Armored Kill, Medal of Honor Warfighter, FIFA 13, Madden NFL 13, The Sims 3, EA Mobile and Social, and other fan-favorite franchises. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest games news live!

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Video Link

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Click Below!