EA's Live Service Games Are Performing "Above" Expectations

Electronic Arts seem to be enjoying the financial benefits of the live service model. In a press release, EA confirmed that live service games are performing "above" expectations.

EA exec Blake Jorgensen gave the announcement, stating that a few key live service titles spearheaded financial performance for the company. "The strong results this quarter illustrate the power of our live services and our core franchises," Jorgensen said. "Strength in Ultimate Team, The Sims 4, and FIFA Online drove live services performance above our expectations."

With live services doing so well for EA, Jorgensen confirmed plans to "double down" on the model going forward. "Looking ahead, we are doubling down on live services combined with our core franchises," Jorgensen said. "We're investing in games that people play for longer and engage with much more deeply. This focus will continue to drive growth and profitability for the company through the remainder of this year and beyond."

It's an interesting proposition, considering the myriad of troubles BioWare's Anthem has faced. Most recently, the looter-shooter ditched the "Acts" structure to usher in seasonal updates. Still, the company's other live service titles--like Battlefield V and the various Ultimate Team modes--continue to rake in billions of dollars. And EA's popular battle royale Apex Legends has just reached 70 million players.

One of EA's upcoming, hotly-anticipated titles isn't of the live service type. Respawn Entertainment's Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order is a third-person action-adventure game launching on November 15 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One