For Electronic Arts, Are Console Games a Dead Space?

Last month, Electronic Arts, the nation’s second-largest video game manufacturer, released another installment of its hit series Dead Space. It’s the story of Isaac Clarke and John Carver, an adventurous duo who must repair their damaged spacecraft, escape from a devastated planet, and return to earth without being devoured by the ghoulish Necromorphs. The company promised that Dead Space fans would be treated to “pulse-pounding” moments while they played.

Electronic Arts has been providing its investors with thrills of their own. On March 18 the company announced that John Riccitiello will step down as chief executive officer and leave its board at the end of March, with Chairman and former CEO Larry Probst running things while the board searches for a replacement. Sales have fallen in three of the past four quarters, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The company said in announcing Riccitiello’s departure that fourth-quarter results may miss its earlier forecast. “My decision to leave EA is really all about my accountability for the shortcomings in our financial results this year,” Riccitiello said in a blog post.