Electronic Arts battles defection of star game designers

Article Abstract:

Electronic Arts (EA) has restructured its business in an attempt to retain its top electronic game designers. Plans call for the largest independent games publisher to resemble a movie studio by promising royalties and creative control for star designers who are responsible for blockbuster games. Such a structure exists in movie studios, but EA also faces a bidding war from game designer alliances as well as from such publishers as Microsoft and Activision. An example is Microsoft, which hired Chris Roberts from EA for an estimated $75 million. Roberts, creator of the popular Wing Commander franchise, in return, has formed the Digital Anvil company and promised to publish 10 titles with Microsoft. EA has begun to rely more on top computer game designers to maintain its presence, as electronic game hits can surpass $100 million in sales. More than 1,200 game designers work for EA, and many of them consider the company as a career goal. EA, which has acquired 10 companies since 1991, reported $909 million in 1997 revenue.

Human resource management, Computer programming, Recruiting, Employee selection, Computer game, Company personnel management, Electronic Arts Inc., ERTS, Hiring

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GT Interactive names to top positions Heymann, veteran of Disney's stores

Article Abstract:

GT Interactive Software Corp., creator and distributor of popular games like 'Duke Nukem,''Unreal,' 'Blue's Birthday Adventure,' and 'Deer Hunter,' has hired Thomas Heymann as chairman and CEO. Heymann spent eight years heading up Disney's stores taking the unit from a mere 69 stores and $100 million in sales to 697 stores and $1.5 billion dollars in sales. GT's co-founder, Ronald Chaimowitz, will head up the firm's online subsidiary, OneZero Media, and report to the 41-year-old Heymann.

Comment:

Company hires Disney stores exec as chairman and CEO

Executive changes & profiles, Officials and employees, GT Interactive Software Corp., GTIS

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Nintendo is top scorer in game sales, but Sony sees bigger hardware growth

Article Abstract:

Sony has about 2/3 of the video game hardware market in the U.S. and sold the most games, software, too--4.7 million units in December alone. But Nintendo had the most popular single title, "Legend of Zelda: the Ocarina of Time," selling 2.5 million units in December or $150 million worth. Nintendo holds about 1/3 of the market Analysts expect continued growth in sales in '99.

Comment:

'Zelda' was the leader in Dec. '98 game software sales in the US

Forecasts, trends, outlooks, Sales & consumption, Household audio and video equipment, Consumer Electronics, Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing, Statistics, Sony Corp., Nintendo Company Ltd.

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