New Direct-to-Consumer Platform Offers Anytime, Anywhere Access to
Gaming's Best Content Including Battlefield 3, FIFA 12 and More
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Electronic Arts (EA) Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today the launch of
Origin™, EA's direct-to-consumer gaming platform. Available today at www.origin.com,
Origin is where gamers can go to find, purchase and download all the
best content from EA. More than 150 games are currently available on
Origin, and in the months ahead, Origin will be the place to purchase
and download exclusive limited edition copies of highly-anticipated EA
games, including Battlefield 3™ and FIFA 12, as well as
content from EA Partners including Alice: Madness Returns™ and 38
Studios' Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™. Later this year, digital
downloads of Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ will be
available exclusively on Origin.
Also launching today is the Origin beta application. Available for
download at www.origin.com,
the Origin beta is a desktop application that will be users' direct
connection to the best content from EA and offer the ability to create
and manage a personal community of gamers. Through the Origin beta
application, users will be able to find and connect with friends, see
what they are playing, and digitally download and play PC games straight
from EA.
By visiting Origin.com today, users can set up an Origin profile,
download the Origin beta application, and begin browsing titles
available now or pre-order upcoming games. In addition, exclusive game
content and trailers for upcoming EA titles will also be available on
Origin, including Mass Effect™ 3, FIFA 12, SSX™, Madden NFL 12, Need
for Speed™ The Run, Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Sims™
3 and Battlefield 3.
"Origin is a game service with two fundamental features," said David
DeMartini, senior vice president of Global Online at EA. "It's a
download service for the very best content from EA and its partners. It
also offers a social function which, over time, will connect a player's
profile with friends lists and a cross-platform feed that shows what
your friends are playing and where."
"We're committed to offering consumers direct access to great content
and community in a way they have never experienced before," said EA CEO
John Riccitiello. "Today we're launching Origin.com and the Origin beta
application. Over time, Origin will grow with new functionality and
unique new content that consumers can't get anywhere else."
Mobile
Origin will also be available to gamers on the go, with the service on
mobile devices giving gamers access to an Origin mobile profile where
they can connect and play with friends in EA's leading smartphone
titles, including SCRABBLE and the upcoming mobile version of Battlefield
3. In the future, mobile gamers will also be able to see what games
their friends are playing, as well as compare high scores and share
what's fun.
Features
Origin will provide the easiest way to buy and play the best EA content
while staying connected to friends. The Origin beta application will
offer PC gamers:
-
Digital Exclusives: The Origin beta application will deliver
full digital downloads for new PC games including Battlefield 3 and
Need For Speed The Run. Future additions will include access to
the latest online betas as well as demos and try before you buy
opportunities.
-
Connect, Share and Play: through the Origin beta application,
build friend lists, import contacts from Facebook and chat about your
game experiences in the Origin community. Connect with friends, see
who is online and what games they are playing. An in-game overlay
integrates social and web-browsing features directly into gameplay,
with future capabilities to include in-game downloadable content
purchases.
The Origin.com website will provide:
-
Persistent Profiles — Anytime, Anywhere: create an Origin
profile to manage your favorite games and friend lists that are
accessible from any PC.
-
Fast and Easy Purchasing: central location for downloadable
content for EA's latest PC titles, with a streamlined purchasing and
download process for games and pre-orders. The Origin.com store is
also just one click away from a tab in the Origin beta application.
"This is our first step in the evolution of Origin, and in the weeks and
months ahead we will look to enhance the features and services as well
as an expanded range of content," said DeMartini. "From exclusive demos
to full-game downloads, Origin is the place consumers will go for the
best game experiences."
During EA's press conference next week at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles,
exclusive content for EA titles will be made available on the Origin.com
website. EA's E3 press conference is scheduled for 12:30PM PST on June
6, 2011, and a live webcast is available at www.ea.com/e3/press.
For more information and assets including images, please visit http://info.ea.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) is a global leader in digital interactive
entertainment. The Company's game franchises are offered as both
packaged goods products and online services delivered through
Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and
tablets. EA has more than 100 million registered players and operates in
75 countries.
In fiscal 2011, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.6 billion.
Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for
critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster franchises such as The
Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield, and Mass
Effect™. More information about EA is available at http://info.ea.com.
Origin, The Sims, SSX and Need for Speed are trademarks of Electronic
Arts Inc. Mass Effect is a trademark of EA International (Studio and
Publishing) Ltd. Battlefield 3 is a trademark of EA Digital Illusions CE
AB. STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United
States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its
affiliates. © 2011 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm
Ltd. All rights reserved. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of
their respective owners and used with permission. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective owners.
Fleishman-Hillard for Electronic Arts
John Reseburg, 415-318-4117
john.reseburg@fleishman.com
Source: Electronic Arts
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