The gaming publisher Electronic Arts has presented a new financial report for the Q2 2020. What statements are made about their game Anthem? It was supposed to be the blockbuster of 2019 – but that is no longer reflected in the financial report.
What is the connection? On October 29, there was the earnings call of Electronic Arts for Q2 2020. This is the quarter that ended on September 30, 2019 – a bit confusing.
In the earnings call, the EA executives speak to analysts and investors. EA made some announcements about how their game brands will continue and how they envision their future.
We check in the transcript of the call (via fool.com) how often Anthem is mentioned in this context.
Anthem is mentioned twice briefly – something is coming in Q4
This is what EA says about Anthem: Anthem appears twice in the conference call. However, only embedded in a larger context. Statements that are “only” applicable to Anthem do not come from EA.
Once EA says that the Christmas season will hold a lot for players in all their live games. Then some features that are coming to Battlefield 5 are listed.
Then Apex Legends, the EA Sports franchises, Sims 4, Anthem, and Star Wars Battlefront 2 are mentioned as other games that will receive new content during Q4. Players should be able to experience “new experiences” in the games.
One can therefore assume that Anthem will receive “something” in Q4.
Improving Anthem as a “live-service game”
The second time Anthem is mentioned is when EA emphasizes that it will continue to invest heavily in service games, just like it has in the past 10 years. Here, the importance of Apex Legends and how essential FIFA Online is in Asia is underscored.
It is said that EA wants to see how to integrate more “live service” into each title so that the games are as successful as the sports titles, The Sims or Apex Legends.
The games that are supposed to be improved include Battlefield and Anthem – they are likely somewhat the problem children at the moment.
It is stated: Players want to play games today as a “live-service”.
What EA exactly means by this, they do not say: Usually, “live service” means to update, improve, and provide a game with new content over a long period.
Is this all EA says about Anthem? Yes. Anthem is indeed mentioned again in two questions from analysts, but EA answers without directly addressing Anthem.
For instance, EA is asked what BioWare is doing after Anthem. It is said that Dragon Age should come in fiscal year 2022. And there are more games in development.
However, EA does not directly address Anthem in this context.
Apex Legends is now the 10-year game
This is what it’s about: It is a trend that has been observable for a while:
- Apex Legends is now the “showcase” child of EA for new games from 2019 – it is always mentioned positively and praised
- Anthem is still mentioned, but is trailing along
It is now said that “Apex Legends wants to build as a 10-year business – previously BioWare said that about Anthem.
