UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission File No. 0-17948

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(650) 628-1500

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

                                                  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of September 28, 2007, the last business day of the second fiscal quarter, was $17,513,418,000.

 

As of May 16, 2008 there were 318,418,114 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
2008 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

Table of Contents

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding industry prospects and future results of operations or financial position, made in this Report are forward looking. We use words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate” (and the negative of any of these terms), “future” and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk and reflect management’s current expectations, and involve subjects that are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our actual results could differ materially. We will not necessarily update information if any forward-looking statement later turns out to be inaccurate. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors”, beginning on page 14.

 

 

 

Overview

 

Electronic Arts develops, markets, publishes and distributes video game software and content that can be played by consumers on a variety of platforms, including:

 

 

In fiscal 2008, excluding cell phones, we developed or published products for 10 different platforms and since our inception, we have published games for over 50 different platforms. In fiscal 2008 we also published over 30 games for cellular handsets.

 

We also provide online game-related services (e.g., matchmaking and subscription services) for these platforms.

 

We generate net revenue primarily from sales of packaged goods, online subscriptions, online and mobile downloads, micro-transactions, and advertising.

 

Our ability to publish games across multiple platforms has been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of our product strategy. Historically, there have been multiple video game consoles and handheld game players available to consumers, and there has been vigorous competition among hardware manufacturers. In previous hardware cycles, Sony’s PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles have significantly outsold their competitors. The current hardware cycle is characterized by fierce competition from three strong and viable competitors — Microsoft’s Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii and Sony’s PLAYSTATION 3. In fiscal 2008, we developed and published 20 titles for the Xbox 360, 17 titles for the PLAYSTATION 3, 15 titles for the PlayStation 2, 14 titles for the Wii, two titles for the Xbox and one title for the Nintendo GameCube. The PC also continues to be an important interactive game platform. In fiscal 2008, we published 29 titles for the PC (including the Macintosh). Similarly, there is also competition in the handheld games hardware business, where the Nintendo DS and Sony’s PSP are both viable platforms. In fiscal 2008, we published 12 titles for the Nintendo DS, nine titles for the PSP and one title for the Game Boy Advance. Many of our PC, PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox and PSP titles include online functionality which enables consumers to participate in online communities and play against one another via the Internet.

Our games span a diverse range of categories, including action-adventure, casual, sports, family, fantasy, racing, music, role-playing, simulation, extreme sports and strategy. We have created, licensed and acquired a strong portfolio of intellectual property, which we market and sell to a variety of consumers. Our portfolio of wholly-owned properties includes established brands such as Need for Speed^tm, The Sims^tm and Battlefield, and games scheduled to debut in fiscal 2009 such as Spore^tm, Mirror’s Edge^tm and Dead Space^tm. Our portfolio of games based on licensed intellectual property includes sports-based titles such as Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer and Tiger Woods PGA Tour^®, and titles based on popular culture such as Harry Potter, The Godfather^®, and the yet-to-be released Warhammer^® Online. Through our EA Partners business, we also co-develop, co-publish and distribute video games that are developed and published by other companies, including the MTV Games/Harmonix game Rock Band. Beginning in fiscal 2009, we also expect to release video games based on board games and toys from Hasbro, including NERF, MONOPOLY and TRIVIAL PURSUIT.

 

Another cornerstone of our strategy is to publish products that can be iterated, or sequeled. For example, many of our sports products, such as Madden NFL Football, come out in a new edition each year. Other products, such as The Sims and Godfather, can be sequeled on a less-frequent basis. We refer to these successful, iterated product families as “franchises”.

 

We develop our games using both internal and external resources. We have development studios and related functions located worldwide, such as BioWare (Canada and United States), Black Box (Canada), Blueprint (United States), Bright Light (United Kingdom), Criterion (United Kingdom), DICE (Sweden), EA Canada, EA India, EA Los Angeles (United States), EA Montreal (Canada), EA Redwood Shores (United States), EA Romania, EA Salt Lake City (United States), Mythic Entertainment (United States), Pogo (United States and China), Pandemic (United States and Australia), Phenomic (Germany), The Sims (United States) and Tiburon (United States). We also have quality and assurance functions located in several countries such as China, India, Korea, Singapore and Spain and localization functions located in several countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Romania and Spain. We also engage third-parties to assist with the development of our games at their own development and production studios.

 

Our global sales network allows us to market, publish and distribute games in over 35 countries throughout the world. In North America, we generate a significant portion of our net revenue from direct sales to retailers. Outside of North America, we generate net revenue primarily from direct-to-retail sales although, in some of our smaller territories, we also work with third parties to distribute our games. Our games are also available via online stores, including our own online store, and via direct digital download from our website. We also market and distribute games and other content for cellular handsets through wireless carriers.

 

In fiscal 2008, sales of Rock Band, distributed for three platforms, represented approximately 10 percent of our total net revenue. In fiscal 2007, we had two titles, Need for Speed Carbon and Madden NFL 07, published on 10 platforms, each of which represented approximately 11 percent of our total net revenue. In fiscal 2006, we had one title, Need for Speed Most Wanted, published on eight platforms, which represented approximately 10 percent of our total net revenue.

 

We were initially incorporated in California in 1982. In September 1991, we reincorporated under the laws of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 209 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City, California 94065 and our telephone number is (650) 628-1500.

 

Significant Business Developments in Fiscal 2008

 

Label Reorganization

 

As described in more detail below, in fiscal 2008, we reorganized our business into four operating “labels” — EA Games, EA SPORTS, The Sims and EA Casual Entertainment — and an additional group that works closely with the labels — Global Publishing, which operates in three regions, North America, Europe and Asia.

Acquisition of Bioware and Pandemic Studios

 

In January 2008, we acquired VG Holding Corp. (“VGH”), owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios, LLC, game development studios that create action-adventure and role-playing games, such as Mass Effect^tm (BioWare) and Mercenaries^tm (Pandemic). BioWare has development studios in Edmonton, Canada and Austin, Texas and Pandemic Studios are located in Los Angeles, California and Brisbane, Australia.

 

Transition to New Video Game Consoles

 

The video game software industry is cyclical, driven by video game hardware systems, which have historically had a life cycle of four to six years. The current cycle began with Microsoft’s launch of the Xbox 360 in 2005, and continued in 2006 when Sony and Nintendo launched their next-generation systems, the PLAYSTATION 3 and the Wii, respectively. During fiscal 2008, the installed base of each of these systems continued to expand and, as a result, sales of our products for these systems have also increased significantly. At the same time, however, demand for video games for prior-generation systems, particularly the original Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube, has declined. Given its significant installed base and ongoing popularity outside of North America, we expect to continue developing and marketing new titles for the PlayStation 2 in fiscal 2009. We only expect to release one title for the original Xbox and no titles for the Nintendo GameCube in fiscal 2009. The new systems are more complex than their predecessors (e.g., some use multi-processor technology, new and unique game controllers, online gameplay functionality and high definition video capabilities) and development costs have been greater on a per-title basis than development costs for prior-generation video game systems.

 

Proposed Acquisition of Take-Two Interactive Software

 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we announced a proposal to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (“Take-Two”), for a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion (including fees and expenses). Take-Two’s Board of Directors has stated that our offer undervalues the company and is not in the best interests of stockholders. If we were to acquire Take-Two, we expect the acquisition would have a material impact on our future financial position and results of operations and cash flows. Although the offer is not conditional upon any financing arrangements, our Board of Directors has authorized us to obtain additional financing, a portion of which may be used in part to fund the acquisition. There can be no assurance that we will acquire Take-Two.

 

Our Operating Structure

 

Following our fiscal 2008 reorganization, our business is organized around four operating labels — EA Games, EA SPORTS, The Sims and EA Casual Entertainment — and an additional group that works closely with the labels — Global Publishing. Each label is structured to operate globally and includes several key functions including development studios, product marketing, and planning for products and services. Global Publishing operates in three regions, North America, Europe and Asia. Global Publishing works in partnership with the labels and is responsible for strategic planning, field marketing, sales, distribution, operations, product certification, quality assurance, motion capture, art outsourcing and localization within the local markets in which we operate.

 

In fiscal 2008, we generated approximately 55 percent of our net revenue from games developed by our studios that were initially released during the year, as compared to approximately 65 percent in fiscal 2007. Excluding titles developed for cellular handsets, during fiscal 2008 we released 34 titles developed by our studios compared to 32 titles in fiscal 2007. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, research and development expenses were $1,145 million, $1,041 million and $758 million, respectively.

 

EA Games Label

 

The EA Games label is home to the largest number of our studios and development teams, which together create an expansive and diverse portfolio of games, such as action-adventure, role playing, racing and combat games, marketed under the EA brand. In addition to traditional packaged-goods games, EA Games also

develops massively-multiplayer online role-playing games which are persistent state virtual worlds where thousands of other players can interact with one another. For example, we expect to launch Warhammer Online in the coming fiscal year. The EA Games portfolio includes several established franchises such as Need for Speed, Battlefield, Mercenaries and Burnout. In addition, EA Games has recently launched new franchises including SKATE and Army of Two, and has additional titles in development. EA Games titles are developed primarily at the following EA studios: Bioware (located in Edmonton, Canada and Austin, Texas), Black Box (located in Vancouver, Canada), Criterion (located in Guildford, England), DICE (located in Stockholm, Sweden), EA Los Angeles, EA Montreal, EA Redwood Shores, Maxis (located in Emeryville, California), EA Mythic (located in Fairfax, Virginia), Pandemic Studios (located in Los Angeles, California and Brisbane, Australia) and Phenomic (located in Ingelheim, Germany).

 

EA Games also includes the EA Partners group, which teams with external game developers and third party companies, to provide these partners with a variety of services including development, publishing, and distribution. For example, in fiscal 2008, through a co-publishing agreement with Crytek, we released Crysis^® on the PC, and we signed a distribution agreement with Harmonix, a subsidiary of Viacom, to distribute Rock Band.

 

EA SPORTS Label

 

The EA SPORTS label brings together a wide collection of sports-based video games marketed under the EA SPORTS brand. EA SPORTS games range from simulated sports titles with realistic graphics based on real-world sports leagues, players, events and venues to more casual games with arcade-style gameplay and graphics. We seek to release new iterations of many of our EA SPORTS titles on a regular basis (often annually), in connection with the commencement of a sports league’s season or a major sporting event when appropriate. Our EA SPORTS franchises include FIFA Soccer, Madden NFL Football, Fight Night, NBA Live, NCAA Football, NCAA March Madness, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, NHL Hockey, Nascar and Rugby. EA SPORTS games are developed primarily at our EA Canada (located in Vancouver, British Columbia) and EA Tiburon studios (located in Orlando, Florida), and, to a lesser extent, use several development studios highlighted in the EA Games label description above.

 

In addition to packaged goods games, the EA SPORTS label offers online-only games and entertainment. In Korea, EA SPORTS currently offers EA SPORTS FIFA Online, a free-to-play online game in which players may purchase additional in-game content from us (we refer to these consumer purchases of small elements of additional content as “micro-transactions”). We expect to introduce other online games under the EA SPORTS brand in the future. In fiscal 2009, EA SPORTS will also seek to increase its global presence through the introduction of new web-based communities centered on our portfolio of sports games.

 

The Sims Label

 

The Sims label develops and markets life-simulation games and online communities with an emphasis on creativity, community and humor.

 

The Sims has sold over 100 million units world-wide since it was originally launched in 2000. A significant factor in its success has been the regular introduction of expansion packs with new content and gameplay features that can be purchased and used in connection with our core products, The Sims and The Sims 2. In fiscal 2008, The Sims label launched two expansion packs for The Sims 2.

 

In addition to our expansion packs, The Sims label also launched several console products in fiscal 2008, most notably MySims^tm — a newly created franchise for the Wii and Nintendo DS — and The Sims 2 Castaway on the Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PSP.

 

The Sims 2 online community has 4 million unique visitors monthly, with localized communities in 15 countries. The centerpiece of this community is the user exchange, where users can download both EA and user-created content for use in their The Sims 2 core game. To date, there have been over 60 million downloads of content from The Sims 2 exchange.

The Sims label offers a variety of other online communities including The Sims On Stage — a creative community featuring karaoke, comedy, poetry, and movie mashups.

 

EA Casual Entertainment Label

 

The EA Casual Entertainment label is focused on creating compelling casual games for a mass audience of core and non-core gamers alike. Casual games are intended to be easily accessible, requiring a minimum time commitment to learn, play and enjoy. EA Casual Entertainment is responsible for a broad portfolio of games designed for consoles, handhelds and PCs (including Pogo.com, our online casual games and community website), as well as cellular phones (through EA Mobile).

 

Pogo^tm.  Through our Pogo online service, we offer casual games such as card games, puzzle games and word games. We had over 1.6 million paying Club Pogo subscribers as of March 31, 2008, up from 1.5 million paying subscribers as of March 31, 2007. In addition to paid subscriptions, Pogo also generates revenue through online advertising and sales of digital content. We are continuing to expand our Pogo offerings in Europe.

 

EA Mobile.  Through EA Mobile, we are a leading global publisher of games and other content (ringtones, images, etc.) for cellular handsets. Our customers typically purchase and download our games through a wireless carrier’s branded e-commerce service accessed directly from their cellular handsets.

 

We engage third parties to develop games for cellular handsets on our behalf at their own development and production studios and, to a lesser extent, we develop cellular handset games internally at our development and production studios located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Romania and India. In fiscal 2008, we released over 30 games for cellular handsets.

 

Many of our EA Mobile games are designed to take advantage of multimedia enhancements in the latest generation of cellular handsets, including high-resolution color displays, increased processing power, improved audio capabilities and increased memory capabilities. We publish games in multiple categories designed to appeal to a broad range of wireless subscribers.

 

Hasbro.  In August 2007, we entered into a strategic relationship with Hasbro through which we can create digital games based upon a significant number of Hasbro’s classic board games and toys, including MONOPOLY, SCRABBLE (North America only), YAHTZEE, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, NERF, G.I. JOE, and LITTLEST PET SHOP. We intend to develop Hasbro’s properties into video games for children, families and casual gamers and to publish them across a variety of platforms including cellular handsets, handhelds, PCs and consoles.

 

Console, Handheld and PC Games.  EA Casual Entertainment works with third party developers and oversees internal studios and development teams located in Los Angeles, Montreal, Salt Lake City and the United Kingdom that are responsible for console, handheld and PC games geared primarily towards children, families, and other casual gamers. In fiscal 2008, these games included Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix^tm, Boogie^tm, and Smarty Pants^tm. For fiscal 2009, EA Casual is releasing a number of new titles, including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince^tm, Boom Blox^tm, and ZUBO^tm as well as several new titles based on well-known Hasbro games and toys.

 

Global Publishing Organization

 

Our Global Publishing Organization operates in three regions, North America, Europe and Asia. These organizations work closely with each label to publish (i.e., market, sell and distribute) our products (other than EA Mobile games).

 

Our North America publishing organization is headquartered in Redwood City, California. We have local offices in several states including California, Washington and New York, among others. We also have a distribution center in Kentucky. North America net revenue increased by 17 percent to $1.942 billion, or 53 percent of total net revenue in fiscal 2008, as compared to $1.666 billion, or 54 percent of total net revenue in fiscal 2007.

Internationally, we conduct business and have wholly-owned subsidiaries throughout the world, including offices in Europe, Australia, Asia and Latin America. International net revenue increased by 21 percent to $1.723 billion, or 47 percent of total net revenue in fiscal 2008, compared to $1.425 billion, or 46 percent of total net revenue in fiscal 2007.

 

Our international and European regional publishing organization headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. We have local offices in several European countries including England, France and Germany, among others. We also have European distribution centers in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe.

 

We also have a regional publishing headquarters located in Singapore. We have local offices in several Asia Pacific countries including Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

 

The amounts of net revenue and long-lived assets attributable to each of our geographic regions for each of the last three fiscal years are set forth in Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 of this report.

 

The console, PC and handheld games that we publish are made available to consumers as packaged goods (usually in Blu-ray Disc, CD, DVD, cartridge or Universal Media Disc format) that are typically sold in retail stores and through online stores (including our own online store). In North America and Europe, our largest markets, we sell these packaged goods products primarily to retailers, including mass market retailers (such as Wal-Mart), electronics specialty stores (such as Best Buy) or game software specialty stores (such as GameStop). Many of our PC products and related content (such as booster packs, expansion packs and smaller pieces of game content) can also be purchased over the Internet through digital download.

 

Our global sales network allows us to market, publish and distribute games for all labels in over 35 countries throughout the world. We generated approximately 95 percent of our North American net revenue from direct sales to retailers in fiscal 2008, with the remaining net revenue being generated through a limited number of specialized and regional distributors and rack jobbers in markets where we believe direct sales would not be economical. Outside of North America, we derive revenue primarily from direct sales to retailers. In a few of our smaller markets, we sell our products through distributors with whom we have agreements. We also distribute products of other companies through our rack jobbing business in Switzerland. We had direct sales to GameStop Corp. which represented approximately 13 percent and 12 percent of total net revenue in fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. We also had direct sales to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. which represented approximately 12 percent of total net revenue in fiscal 2008 and 13 percent of total net revenue in both fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Marketing activities conducted by the Global Publishing Organization primarily focus on television and online advertising, but also include print advertising, retail merchandising, website development, event sponsorship, and trade shows.

 

Our Central Development Services group, which is part of our Global Publishing Organization, provides development services to our labels, such as product localization, quality assurance and certification, motion capture, art outsourcing and media mastering. Each service is essential to the development and publishing of our games. By grouping these services together within a single, centralized organization, we expect to achieve cost savings through greater scale and efficiency, while improving the overall quality of our games by providing more sophisticated and robust services than any of our labels could sustain on its own. Key components of Central Development Services’ strategy are outsourcing to third parties and moving work offshore to lower-cost markets.

 

Competition

 

Our industry is intensely competitive. We compete for the leisure time and discretionary spending of consumers with other video game companies, as well as with other providers of different forms of entertainment, such as motion pictures, television, social networking, online casual entertainment and music. Our competitors vary in size from very small companies with limited resources to very large, diversified corporations with global operations and greater financial resources than ours.

We also face heavy competition from other video game companies and large media companies to obtain license agreements for the right to use some of the intellectual property included in our products. Some of these content licenses are controlled by the diversified media companies, which, in some cases, have decided to publish their own games based on popular entertainment properties that they control, rather than licensing the content to a video game company such as us.

 

Competition in Sales of Packaged Goods

 

Our packaged goods business is characterized by the continuous introduction of innovative new titles and the development of new technologies. Competition is also based on product quality and features, timing of product releases, brand-name recognition, availability and quality of in-game content, access to distribution channels, effectiveness of marketing and price.

 

For sales of packaged goods, we compete directly with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, each of which develop and publish software for their respective console platforms. We also compete with numerous companies which, like us, develop and publish video games that operate on these consoles and on PCs and handheld game players. These competitors include Activision, Atari, Capcom, Koei, Konami, LucasArts, Midway, Namco, Sega, Take-Two Interactive, THQ and Ubisoft. Diversified media companies such as Fox, Disney, Time Warner, Viacom and Vivendi are also expanding their software game publishing efforts.

 

Competition in Sales for Cellular Handsets

 

The wireless entertainment applications market segment, for which we develop and publish games, ring tones, music, video and wallpapers for cellular handsets, is highly competitive and characterized by frequent product introductions, rapidly evolving wireless platforms and new technologies. As demand for applications continues to increase, we expect new competitors to enter the market and existing competitors to allocate more resources to develop and market competing applications. As a result, we expect competition in the wireless entertainment market segment to intensify.

 

Current and potential competitors in the wireless entertainment applications market segment include major media companies, traditional video game publishing companies, wireless carriers, wireless software providers and other companies that specialize in wireless entertainment applications. We also compete with wireless content aggregators, who pool applications from multiple developers (and sometimes publishers) and offer them to carriers or through other sales channels. In addition, new and existing competitors are beginning to offer wireless entertainment applications on an ad-supported basis. Currently, we consider our primary competitors in the wireless entertainment applications market segment to be Disney, Fox Mobile Entertainment, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Hands-On Mobile, Namco, Sony Pictures and THQ Wireless.

 

Competition in Online Gaming Services

 

The online games market segment is also highly competitive and characterized by frequent product introductions, new and evolving business models and new platforms. As the proportion of households with a broadband connection continues to grow, we expect new competitors to enter the market and existing competitors to allocate more resources toward developing online games services. As a result, we expect competition in the online games services market segment to intensify.

 

Our current and potential competitors in the online games market segment include major media companies, traditional video game publishing companies, and companies that specialize in online games. In the massively multiplayer online game business our competitors include Atari, Midway, NC Soft, Sony and Vivendi Games. Competing providers of other kinds of online games include MSN, Popcap, Real, AOL, Yahoo! and Nexon.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Like other entertainment companies, our business is significantly based on the creation, acquisition, exploitation and protection of intellectual property. Some of this intellectual property is in the form of software code, patented technology, and other technology and trade secrets that we use to develop our games and to make

them run properly. Other intellectual property is in the form of audio-visual elements that consumers can see, hear and interact with when they are playing our games — we call this form of intellectual property “content”.

 

Our products embody a number of separate forms of intellectual property protection:

 

 

Our products also may contain content licensed from others, such as trademarks, fictional characters, storylines and software code.

 

We develop products from wholly-owned intellectual properties we create within our own studios. We also acquire the rights to include proprietary intellectual property in our products through acquisitions. We also enter into content license agreements such as those with sports leagues and player associations, movie studios and performing talent, music labels, music publishers and musicians. These licenses are typically limited to use of the licensed rights in products for specific time periods. In addition, our products that play on game consoles, handhelds and cellular handsets include technology that is owned by the console or handset manufacturer and licensed non-exclusively to us for use. We also license technology from providers other than console and handset manufacturers. While we may have renewal rights for some licenses, our business and the justification for the development of many of our products is dependent on our ability to continue to obtain the intellectual property rights from the owners of these rights on reasonable terms and at reasonable rates.

 

As with other forms of entertainment, our products are susceptible to unauthorized copying. We typically distribute our PC products using copy protection technology that we license from other companies. In addition, console manufacturers typically incorporate security devices in their consoles in an effort to prevent the use of unlicensed products. Our primary protection against unauthorized use, duplication and distribution of our products is enforcement of our copyright and trademark interests. We typically own the copyright to the software code as well as the brand or title name trademark under which our products are marketed. We register our copyrights and trademarks in the United States and other countries.

 

Significant Relationships

 

Console Manufacturers

 

Sony.  Under the terms of agreements we have entered into with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and its affiliates, we are authorized to develop and distribute disk-based software products and online content compatible with the PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP. Pursuant to these agreements, we engage Sony to supply PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP disks for our products.

 

Microsoft.  Under the terms of agreements we have entered into with Microsoft Corporation and its affiliates, we are authorized to develop and distribute DVD-based software products and online content compatible with the Xbox 360.

 

Nintendo.  Under the terms of agreements we have entered into with Nintendo Co., Ltd. and its affiliates, we are authorized to develop and distribute proprietary optical format disk products and cartridges compatible with the Wii and the Nintendo DS. Pursuant to these agreements, we engage Nintendo to supply Wii proprietary optical format disk products and Nintendo DS cartridges for our products.

 

Wireless Carriers

 

We have agreements to distribute our wireless applications through more than 160 carriers in over 50 countries. Our customers download our applications to their cellular handsets and their wireless carrier

invoices them a one-time fee or monthly subscription fee. Our carrier distribution agreements establish the fees to be retained by the carrier for distributing our applications. These arrangements are typically terminable on short notice. The agreements generally do not obligate the carriers to market or distribute any of our applications.

 

Content Licensors

 

Many of our products are based on or incorporate content and trademarks owned by others. For example, our products include rights licensed from third parties, including major movie studios, publishers, artists, authors, celebrities, traditional game and toy companies, athletes and the major sports leagues and players associations.

 

Inventory, Working Capital, Backlog, Manufacturing and Suppliers

 

For all of our labels, we manage inventory by communicating with our customers prior to the release of our products, and then using our industry experience to forecast demand on a product-by-product and territory-by-territory basis. Historically, we have experienced high turnover of our products, and the lead times on re-orders of our products are generally short (e.g., approximately two to three weeks). Further, as discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, we have practices in place with our customers (such as stock balancing and price protection) that reduce product returns.

 

We typically ship orders immediately upon receipt. To the extent that any backlog may or may not exist at the end of a reporting period, it would be both coincidental and an unreliable indicator of future results of any period.

 

In many instances, we are able to acquire materials on a volume-discount basis. We have multiple potential sources of supply for most materials, except for the disk component of our PLAYSTATION 3, PlayStation 2, PSP and Wii and Nintendo DS cartridges.

 

Our online games and cellular handset applications are delivered digitally, and therefore, are not manufactured.

 

Seasonality

 

Our business is highly seasonal. We have historically experienced our highest sales volume in the holiday season quarter ending in December and a seasonal low in sales volume in the quarter ending in June. Starting in fiscal 2008, we began to defer the recognition of a significant amount of net revenue related to our online-enabled packaged goods over an extended period of time (i.e., typically six months). As a result, the quarter in which we generate the highest sales volume may be different than the quarter in which we recognize the highest amount of net revenue. Our results can also vary based on a number of factors, including title release dates, consumer demand for our products, shipment schedules and our revenue recognition policies.

 

Employees

 

As of March 31, 2008, we had approximately 9,000 regular, full-time employees, of whom over 5,100 were outside the United States. We believe that our ability to attract and retain qualified employees is a critical factor in the successful development of our products and that our future success will depend, in large measure, on our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified employees. Less than 3 percent of our employees, all of whom work for DICE, our Swedish development studio, are represented by a union, guild or other collective bargaining organization.

Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers as of May 23, 2008:

 

 

Mr. Riccitiello has served as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Electronic Arts since April 2007. Prior to re-joining Electronic Arts, he was a co-founder and Managing Partner at Elevation Partners, a private equity fund. From October 1997 to April 2004, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts. Prior to joining Electronic Arts, Mr. Riccitiello served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the worldwide bakery division at Sara Lee Corporation. Before joining Sara Lee, he served as President and CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and has also held executive management positions at Haagen-Dazs, PepsiCo, Inc. and The Clorox Company. Mr. Riccitiello holds a B.S. degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

 

Mr. Brown has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since April 2008. Prior to re-joining Electronic Arts, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of McAfee, Inc., a security technology company from March 2006 until March 2008. From January 2005 until March 2006, Mr. Brown was McAfee’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Brown served as President and Chief Financial Officer of MicroStrategy Incorporated, a business intelligence software provider, from 2000 until 2004. From October 1998 until February 2000, Mr. Brown served as Chief Financial Officer of one of EA’s business units and then Chief Operating Officer of EA’s studio organization in Redwood City, CA. Prior to that time, Mr. Brown was co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of DataSage, Inc. Mr. Brown also held several senior financial positions with Grand Metropolitan from 1990 until 1995. Mr. Brown received an M.B.A. from the Sloan School of Management of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Mr. Gibeau was named President, EA Games Label in June 2007. Prior to that time, he had served as Executive Vice President, General Manager, North America Publishing beginning in September 2005. From 2002 until September 2005, he was Senior Vice President of North American Marketing. Mr. Gibeau has held various publishing positions since joining the company in 1991. Mr. Gibeau holds a B.S. degree from the University of Southern California and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.

 

Mr. Moore was named President, EA Sports, in September 2007. From January 2003 until he joined Electronic Arts, Mr. Moore was with Microsoft where he served as head of Xbox marketing and was later named as Corporate Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division, a position in which he led both the Xbox and Games for Windows businesses. Prior to joining Microsoft, Mr. Moore was president and Chief Operating Officer of SEGA of America, where he was responsible for overseeing SEGA’s video game business in North America. Before joining SEGA, Mr. Moore was Senior Vice President of Marketing at Reebok International Ltd. Mr. Moore holds a bachelor’s degree from Keele University, United Kingdom, and a master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach.

Mr. Pleasants was named President, Global Publishing and Chief Operating Officer in March 2008. Prior to joining EA, Mr. Pleasants was an investor in, and served as an advisor to, various privately-held companies. From September 2005 until June 2007, Mr. Pleasants served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Revolution Health Group, a comprehensive consumer-directed healthcare company. From November 1996 until September 2005, Mr. Pleasants held various senior positions at IAC/InterActiveCorp, including, most recently, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ticketmaster (a division of IAC). Mr. Pleasants holds a B.A. in political science from Yale University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

 

Ms. Smith was named President, The Sims in June 2007. From September 2005 until June 2007, Ms. Smith was Executive Vice President, General Manager, The Sims Franchise. From March 1998 until September 2005, she served as Executive Vice President and General Manager, North American Publishing. From October 1996 to March 1998, Ms. Smith served as Executive Vice President, North American Sales. She previously held the position of Senior Vice President of North American Sales and Distribution from July 1993 to October 1996 and as Vice President of Sales from 1988 to 1993. Ms. Smith has also served as Western Regional Sales Manager and National Sales Manager since she joined Electronic Arts in 1984. Ms. Smith holds a B.S. degree in management and organizational behavior from the University of San Francisco.

 

Ms. Vrabeck was named President, EA Casual Entertainment in May 2007. Prior to joining Electronic Arts, from August 1999 until April 2006, Ms. Vrabeck held various positions at Activision, Inc., an interactive entertainment company, including President of Activision Publishing, Executive Vice President, Global Publishing and Brand Management, and Executive Vice President, Global Brand Management. Following her departure from Activision, Ms. Vrabeck served as a consultant with various companies, including EA. Prior to joining Activision, Ms. Vrabeck was Senior Vice President/General Manager with ConAgra Foods, Inc., and also served in various marketing and sales roles for the Pillsbury Company and held positions at Quaker Oats Company and Eli Lilly & Company. Ms. Vrabeck serves on the Board of Trustees at DePauw University. Ms. Vrabeck received a B.A. degree from DePauw University and an M.B.A. degree from Indiana University.

 

Dr. Florin has served as Executive Vice President, Publishing — Americas and Europe since August 2007. From June 2007 until August 2007, Dr. Florin served as Executive Vice President, Global Publishing. From September 2005 until June 2007, Dr. Florin served as Executive Vice President, International Publishing, and from April 2003 until September 2005, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, European Publishing. From 2001 until September 2005, he served as Vice President, Managing Director for European countries. From the time he joined EA in 1996 until 2001, Dr. Florin was the Managing Director for German speaking countries. Prior to joining EA, Dr. Florin held various positions at BMG, the global music division of Bertelsmann AG, and worked as a consultant with McKinsey. Dr. Florin holds Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from the University of Augsburg, Germany.

 

Mr. Linzner has served as Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs since March 2005. From April 2004 to March 2005, he served as Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs. From October 2002 to April 2004, Mr. Linzner held the position of Senior Vice President of Worldwide Business Affairs and from July 1999 to October 2002, he held the position of Vice President of Worldwide Business Affairs. Prior to joining Electronic Arts in July 1999, Mr. Linzner served as outside litigation counsel to Electronic Arts and several other companies in the video game industry. Mr. Linzner earned his J.D. from Boalt Hall at the University of California, Berkeley, after graduating from Brandeis University. He is a member of the Bar of the State of California and is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and several United States District Courts.

 

Ms. Toledano has served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources since April 2007. From February 2006 to April 2007, Ms. Toledano held the position of Senior Vice President, Human Resources. Prior to joining Electronic Arts, Ms. Toledano worked at Siebel Systems, Inc. from July 2002 to February 2006 where she held a number of positions, including Senior Vice President of Human Resources. From September 2000 to June 2002, she served as Senior Director of Human Resources for Microsoft Corporation, and from September 1998 until September 2000, she served as Director of Human Resources and Recruiting for Microsoft. Ms. Toledano earned both her undergraduate degree in Humanities and her graduate degree in Education from Stanford University.

Mr. Barker has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer since April 2006. From June 2003 to April 2006, Mr. Barker held the position of Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining Electronic Arts, Mr. Barker was employed at Sun Microsystems, Inc., as Vice President and Corporate Controller from October 2002 to June 2003 and Assistant Corporate Controller from April 2000 to September 2002. Prior to that, he was an audit partner at Deloitte. Mr. Barker graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. degree in Accounting.

 

Mr. Bené has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since October 2004. From April 2004 to October 2004, Mr. Bené held the position of Vice President, Acting General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and from June 2003 to April 2004, he held the position of Vice President and Associate General Counsel. Prior to June 2003, Mr. Bené had served as internal legal counsel since joining EA in March 1995. Mr. Bené earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School, and received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University. Mr. Bené is a member of the Bar of the State of California.

 

Investor Information

 

We file or furnish various reports, such as registration statements, periodic and current reports, proxy statements, and other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including our filings. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, are available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website at http://investor.ea.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Except as expressly set forth in this Form 10-K annual report, the contents of our website are not incorporated into, or otherwise to be regarded as part of this report.

 

The charters of our Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance committees of our Board of Directors, as well as our Global Code of Conduct (which includes code of ethics provisions applicable to our directors, principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and other senior financial officers), are available in the Investor Relations section of our website at http://investor.ea.com. We will post amendments to our Global Code of Conduct in the Investor Relations section of our website. Copies of our charters and Global Code of Conduct are available without charge by contacting our Investor Relations department at (650) 628-1500.

 

Stockholders of record may hold their shares of our common stock in book-entry form. This eliminates costs related to safekeeping or replacing paper stock certificates. In addition, stockholders of record may request electronic movement of book-entry shares between their account with our stock transfer agent and their broker. Stock certificates may be converted to book-entry shares at any time. Questions regarding this service may be directed to our stock transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, at 1-800-468-9716 (or 1-651-450-4064 for international callers) or visit their website at www.wellsfargo.com/shareownerservices.

 

 

Our business is subject to many risks and uncertainties, which may affect our future financial performance. If any of the events or circumstances described below occurs, our business and financial performance could be harmed, our actual results could differ materially from our expectations and the market value of our stock could decline. The risks and uncertainties discussed below are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material that may harm our business and financial performance.

Our business is highly dependent on the success and availability of video game hardware systems manufactured by third parties, as well as our ability to develop commercially successful products for these systems.

 

We derive most of our revenue from the sale of products for play on video game hardware systems (which we also refer to as “platforms”) manufactured by third parties, such as Sony’s PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii. The success of our business is driven in large part by the commercial success and adequate supply of these video game hardware systems, our ability to accurately predict which systems will be successful in the marketplace, and our ability to develop commercially successful products for these systems. We must make product development decisions and commit significant resources well in advance of anticipated product ship dates. A platform for which we are developing products may not succeed or may have a shorter life cycle than anticipated. If consumer demand for the systems for which we are developing products is lower than our expectations, our revenue will suffer, we may be unable to fully recover the investments we have made in developing our products, and our financial performance will be harmed. Alternatively, a system for which we have not devoted significant resources could be more successful than we had initially anticipated, causing us to miss out on meaningful revenue opportunities.

 

Our industry is cyclical, driven by the transition from older video game hardware systems to new ones. As we continue to move through the current cycle, our operating results may be volatile and difficult to predict.

 

Video game hardware systems have historically had a life cycle of four to six years, which causes the video game software market to be cyclical as well. The current cycle began with Microsoft’s launch of the Xbox 360 in 2005, and continued in 2006 when Sony and Nintendo launched their next-generation systems, the PLAYSTATION 3 and the Wii, respectively. During fiscal 2008, the installed base of each of these systems continued to expand and, as a result, sales of our products for these systems have also increased significantly. At the same time, however, demand for video games for prior-generation systems, particularly the original Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube, has declined significantly. Although we expect to continue developing and marketing new titles for the prior-generation PlayStation 2 in fiscal 2009, we only expect to release one title for the original Xbox and no titles for the Nintendo GameCube. As a result, we expect our sales of video games for prior-generation systems to continue to decline. The decline in prior-generation product sales, particularly the PlayStation 2, may be greater or faster than we anticipate, and sales of products for the new platforms may be lower or increase more slowly than we anticipate. Moreover, we expect development costs for the new video game systems to continue to be greater on a per-title basis than development costs for prior-generation video game systems. As a result of these factors, during the next several quarters, we expect our operating results to be more volatile and difficult to predict, which could cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly.

 

If we do not consistently meet our product development schedules, our operating results will be adversely affected.

 

Our business is highly seasonal, with the highest levels of consumer demand and a significant percentage of our sales occurring in the December quarter. In addition, we seek to release many of our products in conjunction with specific events, such as the release of a related movie or the beginning of a sports season or major sporting event. If we miss these key selling periods for any reason, including product delays or delayed introduction of a new platform for which we have developed products, our sales will suffer disproportionately. Likewise, if a key event to which our product release schedule is tied were to be delayed or cancelled, our sales would also suffer disproportionately. Our ability to meet product development schedules is affected by a number of factors, including the creative processes involved, the coordination of large and sometimes geographically dispersed development teams required by the increasing complexity of our products and the platforms for which they are developed, and the need to fine-tune our products prior to their release. We have experienced development delays for our products in the past, which caused us to push back release dates. In the future, any failure to meet anticipated production or release schedules would likely result in a delay of revenue and/or possibly a significant shortfall in our revenue, harm our profitability, and cause our operating results to be materially different than anticipated.

Our business is intensely competitive and “hit” driven. If we do not continue to deliver “hit” products and services or if consumers prefer our competitors’ products or services over our own, our operating results could suffer.

 

Competition in our industry is intense and we expect new competitors to continue to emerge in the United States and abroad. While many new products and services are regularly introduced, only a relatively small number of “hit” titles accounts for a significant portion of total revenue in our industry. Hit products or services offered by our competitors may take a larger share of consumer spending than we anticipate, which could cause revenue generated from our products and services to fall below expectations. If our competitors develop more successful products or services, offer competitive products or services at lower price points or based on payment models perceived as offering a better value proposition (such as pay-for-play or subscription-based models), or if we do not continue to develop consistently high-quality and well-received products and services, our revenue, margins, and profitability will decline.

 

We have recently reorganized our business and operating structure. We may encounter a variety of issues in connection with the reorganization that could negatively impact our operating results, financial condition and ability to report our financial results.

 

In an effort to streamline our internal decision-making processes, improve our global focus, and accelerate the process of bringing new ideas to market, we have reorganized our business into several new divisions, including four new labels. The reorganization presents a number of ongoing operational challenges, which, if not successfully managed, could cause our operating results to suffer in the near-term and/or delay or inhibit the anticipated benefits of the reorganization. Implementing any reorganization necessarily requires time and focus from all levels of the organization — time and focus that may be taken away from other business needs. For example, as our employees assume new responsibilities under the new structure, their responsibilities under the old structure may not be successfully re-assigned or adequately addressed, which could result in operational problems that negatively impact our financial condition and operating results. Similarly, as our employees’ roles and responsibilities change in a new structure, it is possible that we could experience a greater loss of key personnel than we have historically.

 

Technology changes rapidly in our business and if we fail to anticipate or successfully implement new technologies or the manner in which people play our games, the quality, timeliness and competitiveness of our products and services will suffer.

 

Rapid technology changes in our industry require us to anticipate, sometimes years in advance, which technologies we must implement and take advantage of in order to make our products and services competitive in the market. Therefore, we usually start our product development with a range of technical development goals that we hope to be able to achieve. We may not be able to achieve these goals, or our competition may be able to achieve them more quickly and effectively than we can. In either case, our products and services may be technologically inferior to our competitors’, less appealing to consumers, or both. If we cannot achieve our technology goals within the original development schedule of our products and services, then we may delay their release until these technology goals can be achieved, which may delay or reduce revenue and increase our development expenses. Alternatively, we may increase the resources employed in research and development in an attempt to accelerate our development of new technologies, either to preserve our product or service launch schedule or to keep up with our competition, which would increase our development expenses.

 

The video game hardware manufacturers set the royalty rates and other fees that we must pay to publish games for their platforms, and therefore have significant influence on our costs. If one or more of these manufacturers change their fee structure, our profitability will be materially impacted.

 

In order to publish products for a video game system such as the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 or Wii, we must take a license from the manufacturer, which gives it the opportunity to set the fee structure that we must pay in order to publish games for that platform. Similarly, certain manufacturers have retained the flexibility to change their fee structures, or adopt different fee structures for online gameplay and other new features for their consoles. The control that hardware manufacturers have over the fee structures for their platforms and

online access could adversely impact our costs, profitability and margins. Because publishing products for video game systems is the largest portion of our business, any increase in fee structures would significantly harm our ability to generate revenues and/or profits.

 

The video game hardware manufacturers are among our chief competitors and frequently control the manufacturing of and/or access to our video game products. If they do not approve our products, we will be unable to ship to our customers.

 

Our agreements with hardware licensors (such as Sony for the PLAYSTATION 3, Microsoft for the Xbox 360, and Nintendo for the Wii) typically give significant control to the licensor over the approval and manufacturing of our products, which could, in certain circumstances, leave us unable to get our products approved, manufactured and shipped to customers. These hardware licensors are also among our chief competitors. Generally, control of the approval and manufacturing process by the hardware licensors increases both our manufacturing lead times and costs as compared to those we can achieve independently. While we believe that our relationships with our hardware licensors are currently good, the potential for these licensors to delay or refuse to approve or manufacture our products exists. Such occurrences would harm our business and our financial performance.

 

We also require compatibility code and the consent of Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo in order to include online capabilities in our products for their respective platforms. As online capabilities for video game systems become more significant, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo could restrict the manner in which we provide online capabilities for our products. If Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo refused to approve our products with online capabilities or significantly impacted the financial terms on which these services are offered to our customers, our business could be harmed.

 

If we are unable to maintain or acquire licenses to intellectual property, we will publish fewer hit titles and our revenue, profitability and cash flows will decline. Competition for these licenses may make them more expensive and reduce our profitability.

 

Many of our products are based on or incorporate intellectual property owned by others. For example, our EA SPORTS products include rights licensed from major sports leagues and players’ associations. Similarly, many of our other hit franchises, such as The Godfather, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, are based on key film and literary licenses. Competition for these licenses is intense. If we are unable to maintain these licenses or obtain additional licenses with significant commercial value, our revenues and profitability will decline significantly. Competition for these licenses may also drive up the advances, guarantees and royalties that we must pay to the licensor, which could significantly increase our costs and reduce our profitability.

 

Our business is subject to risks generally associated with the entertainment industry, any of which could significantly harm our operating results.

 

Our business is subject to risks that are generally associated with the entertainment industry, many of which are beyond our control. These risks could negatively impact our operating results and include: the popularity, price and timing of our games and the platforms on which they are played; economic conditions that adversely affect discretionary consumer spending; changes in consumer demographics; the availability and popularity of other forms of entertainment; and critical reviews and public tastes and preferences, which may change rapidly and cannot necessarily be predicted.

 

If we do not continue to attract and retain key personnel, we will be unable to effectively conduct our business.

 

The market for technical, creative, marketing and other personnel essential to the development and marketing of our products and management of our businesses is extremely competitive. Our leading position within the interactive entertainment industry makes us a prime target for recruiting of executives and key creative talent. If we cannot successfully recruit and retain the employees we need, or replace key employees following their departure, our ability to develop and manage our business will be impaired.

Acquisitions, investments and other strategic transactions could result in operating difficulties, dilution to our investors and other negative consequences.

 

We have engaged in, evaluated, and expect to continue to engage in and evaluate, a wide array of potential strategic transactions, including (i) acquisitions of companies, businesses, intellectual properties, and other assets, (ii) minority investments in strategic partners, and (iii) investments in new interactive entertainment businesses (for example, online and mobile games). Any of these strategic transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. Although we regularly search for opportunities to engage in strategic transactions, we may not be successful in identifying suitable opportunities. We may not be able to consummate potential acquisitions or investments or an acquisition or investment we do consummate may not enhance our business or may decrease rather than increase our earnings. The process of acquiring and integrating a company or business, or successfully exploiting acquired intellectual property or other assets, could divert a significant amount of resources as well as our management’s time and focus and may create unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures, particularly for a large acquisition. Additional risks and variations of the foregoing risks we face include:

 

 

Future acquisitions and investments could also involve the issuance of our equity and equity-linked securities (potentially diluting our existing stockholders), the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization

expenses, write-offs of goodwill, intangibles, or acquired in-process technology, or other increased cash and non-cash expenses such as stock-based compensation. Any of the foregoing factors could harm our financial condition or prevent us from achieving improvements in our financial condition and operating performance that could have otherwise been achieved by us on a stand-alone basis. Our stockholders may not have the opportunity to review, vote on or evaluate future acquisitions or investments.

 

If patent claims continue to be asserted against us, we may be unable to sustain our current business models or profits, or we may be precluded from pursuing new business opportunities in the future.

 

Many patents have been issued that may apply to widely-used game technologies, or to potential new modes of delivering, playing or monetizing game software products. For example, infringement claims under many issued patents are now being asserted against interactive software or online game sites. Several such claims have been asserted against us. We incur substantial expenses in evaluating and defending against such claims, regardless of the merits of the claims. In the event that there is a determination that we have infringed a third-party patent, we could incur significant monetary liability and be prevented from using the rights in the future, which could negatively impact our operating results. We may also discover that future opportunities to provide new and innovative modes of game play and game delivery to consumers may be precluded by existing patents that we are unable to license on reasonable terms.

 

Other intellectual property claims may increase our product costs or require us to cease selling affected products.

 

Many of our products include extremely realistic graphical images, and we expect that as technology continues to advance, images will become even more realistic. Some of the images and other content are based on real-world examples that may inadvertently infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. Although we believe that we make reasonable efforts to ensure that our products do not violate the intellectual property rights of others, it is possible that third parties still may claim infringement. From time to time, we receive communications from third parties regarding such claims. Existing or future infringement claims against us, whether valid or not, may be time consuming and expensive to defend. Such claims or litigations could require us to stop selling the affected products, redesign those products to avoid infringement, or obtain a license, all of which would be costly and harm our business.

 

From time to time we may become involved in other legal proceedings which could adversely affect us.

 

We are currently, and from time to time in the future may become, subject to legal proceedings, claims, litigation and government investigations or inquiries, which could be expensive, lengthy, and disruptive to normal business operations. In addition, the outcome of any legal proceedings, claims, litigation, investigations or inquiries may be difficult to predict and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial condition.

 

Our business, our products and our distribution are subject to increasing regulation of content, consumer privacy, distribution and online hosting and delivery in the key territories in which we conduct business. If we do not successfully respond to these regulations, our business may suffer.

 

Legislation is continually being introduced that may affect both the content of our products and their distribution. For example, data and consumer protection laws in the United States and Europe impose various restrictions on our web sites. Those rules vary by territory although the Internet recognizes no geographical boundaries. Other countries, such as Germany, have adopted laws regulating content both in packaged games and those transmitted over the Internet that are stricter than current United States laws. In the United States, the federal and several state governments are continually considering content restrictions on products such as ours, as well as restrictions on distribution of such products. For example, recent legislation has been adopted in several states, and could be proposed at the federal level, that prohibits the sale of certain games (e.g., violent games or those with “M (Mature)” or “AO (Adults Only)” ratings) to minors. Any one or more of these factors could harm our business by limiting the products we are able to offer to our customers, by limiting the size of the potential market for our products, and by requiring costly additional differentiation between products for different territories to address varying regulations.

If one or more of our titles were found to contain hidden, objectionable content, our business could suffer.

 

Throughout the history of our industry, many video games have been designed to include certain hidden content and gameplay features that are accessible through the use of in-game cheat codes or other technological means that are intended to enhance the gameplay experience. However, in several recent cases, hidden content or features have been found to be included in other publishers’ products by an employee who was not authorized to do so or by an outside developer without the knowledge of the publisher. From time to time, some hidden content and features have contained profanity, graphic violence and sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable material. In a few cases, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (“ESRB”) has reacted to discoveries of hidden content and features by reviewing the rating that was originally assigned to the product, requiring the publisher to change the game packaging and/or fining the publisher. Retailers have on occasion reacted to the discovery of such hidden content by removing these games from their shelves, refusing to sell them, and demanding that their publishers accept them as product returns. Likewise, consumers have reacted to the revelation of hidden content by refusing to purchase such games, demanding refunds for games they’ve already purchased, and refraining from buying other games published by the company whose game contained the objectionable material.

 

We have implemented preventative measures designed to reduce the possibility of hidden, objectionable content from appearing in the video games we publish. Nonetheless, these preventative measures are subject to human error, circumvention, overriding, and reasonable resource constraints. In addition, to the extent we acquire a company without similar controls in place, the possibility of hidden, objectionable content appearing in video games developed by that company but for which we are ultimately responsible could increase. If a video game we published were found to contain hidden, objectionable content, the ESRB could demand that we recall a game and change its packaging to reflect a revised rating, retailers could refuse to sell it and demand we accept the return of any unsold copies or returns from customers, and consumers could refuse to buy it or demand that we refund their money. This could have a material negative impact on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, our reputation could be harmed, which could impact sales of other video games we sell. If any of these consequences were to occur, our business and financial performance could be significantly harmed.

 

If we ship defective products, our operating results could suffer.

 

Products such as ours are extremely complex software programs, and are difficult to develop, manufacture and distribute. We have quality controls in place to detect defects in the software, media and packaging of our products before they are released. Nonetheless, these quality controls are subject to human error, overriding, and reasonable resource constraints. Therefore, these quality controls and preventative measures may not be effective in detecting defects in our products before they have been reproduced and released into the marketplace. In such an event, we could be required to recall a product, or we may find it necessary to voluntarily recall a product, and/or scrap defective inventory, which could significantly harm our business and operating results.

 

Our international net revenue is subject to currency fluctuations.

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, international net revenue comprised 47 percent of our total net revenue. We expect foreign sales to continue to account for a significant portion of our total net revenue. Such sales may be subject to unexpected regulatory requirements, tariffs and other barriers. Additionally, foreign sales are primarily made in local currencies, which may fluctuate against the U.S. dollar. We use foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate some foreign currency risk associated with foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (primarily certain intercompany receivables and payables) and, from time to time, foreign currency option contracts to hedge foreign currency forecasted transactions (primarily related to a portion of the revenue and expenses denominated in foreign currency generated by our operational subsidiaries). However, these activities do not fully protect us from foreign currency fluctuations and, can themselves, result in losses. Accordingly, our results of operations, including our reported net revenue and net income, and financial condition can be adversely affected by unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations, particularly the Euro, British pound sterling and Canadian dollar.

Changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional tax liabilities could adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.

 

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes, and, in the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.

 

We are also required to estimate what our tax obligations will be in the future. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the estimation process and applicable laws are inherently uncertain, and our estimates are not binding on tax authorities. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by our profit level, by changes in our business or changes in our structure resulting from the reorganization of our business and operating structure, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the elections we make, changes in applicable tax laws as well as other factors. Further, our tax determinations are regularly subject to audit by tax authorities and developments in those audits could adversely affect our income tax provision. Should our ultimate tax liability exceed our estimates, our income tax provision and net income or loss could be materially affected.

 

We incur certain tax expenses that do not decline proportionately with declines in our consolidated pre-tax income or loss. As a result, in absolute dollar terms, our tax expense will have a greater influence on our effective tax rate at lower levels of pre-tax income or loss than higher levels. In addition, at lower levels of pre-tax income or loss, our effective tax rate will be more volatile.

 

We are also required to pay taxes other than income taxes, such as payroll, sales, use, value-added, net worth, property and goods and services taxes, in both the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. We are regularly under examination by tax authorities with respect to these non-income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these examinations, changes in our business or changes in applicable tax rules will not have an adverse effect on our earnings and financial condition.

 

Changes in our worldwide operating structure or the adoption of new products and distribution models could have adverse tax consequences.

 

As we expand our international operations, adopt new products and new distribution models, implement changes to our operating structure or undertake intercompany transactions in light of changing tax laws, expiring rulings, acquisitions and our current and anticipated business and operational requirements, our tax expense could increase. For example, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we repatriated $375 million under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. As a result, we recognized an additional one-time tax expense in fiscal 2006 of $17 million.

 

Our reported financial results could be adversely affected by changes in financial accounting standards or by the application of existing or future accounting standards to our business as it evolves.

 

As a result of the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the review of accounting policies by the SEC and national and international accounting standards bodies, the frequency of accounting policy changes may accelerate. For example, as discussed in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, FIN No. 48 has affected the way we account for income taxes and may have a material impact on our financial results. Our adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 141(R) will have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements for material acquisitions consummated after March 29, 2009. Similarly, changes in accounting standards relating to stock-based compensation require us to recognize significantly greater expense than we had been recognizing prior to the adoption of the new standard. Likewise, policies affecting software revenue recognition have and could further significantly affect the way we account for revenue related to our products and services. For example, we expect a more significant portion of our games will be online-enabled in the future and we could be required to recognize the related revenue over an extended period of time rather than at the time of sale. As we enhance, expand and diversify our business and product offerings, the application of existing or future financial accounting standards, particularly those relating to the way we account for revenue and taxes, could have a significant adverse effect on our reported results although not necessarily on our cash flows.

The majority of our sales are made to a relatively small number of key customers. If these customers reduce their purchases of our products or become unable to pay for them, our business could be harmed.

 

In our fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, over 73 percent of our U.S. sales were made to seven key customers. In Europe, our top ten customers accounted for approximately 32 percent of our sales in that territory during the year ended March 31, 2008. Worldwide, we had direct sales to two customers, GameStop Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores, which represented approximately 13 percent and 12 percent, respectively, of total net revenue in the year ended March 31, 2008. Though our products are available to consumers through a variety of retailers, the concentration of our sales in one, or a few, large customers could lead to a short-term disruption in our sales if one or more of these customers significantly reduced their purchases or ceased to carry our products, and could make us more vulnerable to collection risk if one or more of these large customers became unable to pay for our products. Additionally, our receivables from these large customers increase significantly in the December quarter as they stock up for the holiday selling season. Also, having such a large portion of our total net revenue concentrated in a few customers could reduce our negotiating leverage with these customers.

 

Our products are subject to the threat of piracy and unauthorized copying, which could negatively impact our growth and future profitability.

 

Software piracy is a persistent problem, particularly in countries where laws are less protective of intellectual property rights. The global expansion of organized pirate operations, the proliferation of technology designed to circumvent the protection measures we use in our products, the availability of broadband access to the Internet and the ability to download pirated copies of our games from various Internet sites and through peer-to-peer channels, and the widespread proliferation of Internet cafes using pirated copies of our products, all have contributed to ongoing and expanding piracy. Though we take legal and technical steps to make the unauthorized copying and distribution of our products more difficult, as do the manufacturers of consoles on which our games are played, these efforts may not be successful in controlling the piracy of our products. These factors could have a negative effect on our growth and profitability in the future.

 

Our stock price has been volatile and may continue to fluctuate significantly.

 

The market price of our common stock historically has been, and we expect will continue to be, subject to significant fluctuations. These fluctuations may be due to factors specific to us (including those discussed in the risk factors above as well as others not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material), to changes in securities analysts’ earnings estimates or ratings, to our results or future financial guidance falling below our expectations and analysts’ and investors’ expectations, to factors affecting the entertainment, computer, software, Internet, media or electronics industries, to our ability to successfully integrate any acquisitions we may make, or to national or international economic conditions.

 

 

None.

 

The following diagram depicts the locations of our most significant facilities throughout the world:

 

 

We currently own a 418,000-square-foot product development studio facility in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. We also own a 122,000-square-foot administrative, sales and development facility in Chertsey, England, which we no longer occupy. In addition to the properties we own, we lease approximately 3.1 million square feet of facilities, including significant leases for our headquarters in Redwood City, California, our studios in Los Angeles, California and Orlando, Florida, and our distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky. Our leased space is summarized as follows (in square feet):

 

 

Redwood City Headquarters

 

In February 1995, we entered into a build-to-suit lease (“Phase One Lease”) with a third-party lessor for our headquarters facilities in Redwood City, California (“Phase One Facilities”). The Phase One Facilities comprise a total of approximately 350,000 square feet and provide space for sales, marketing, administration and research and development functions. In July 2001, the lessor refinanced the Phase One Lease with Keybank National Association through July 2006. The Phase One Lease expires in January 2039, subject to early termination in the event the underlying financing between the lessor and its lenders is not extended. Subject to certain terms and conditions, we may purchase the Phase One Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase One Facilities to a third party.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Phase One Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase One Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $132 million. In the event of a sale to a third party, if the sale price is less than $132 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the difference between the actual sale price and $132 million, up to a maximum of $117 million, subject to certain provisions of the Phase One Lease, as amended.

 

On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended its loan financing underlying the Phase One Lease with its lenders through July 2007, and on May 14, 2007, the lenders extended this financing again for an additional year through July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the lenders extended the financing for another year through July 2009.

At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease and the related financing arrangement. We account for the Phase One Lease arrangement as an operating lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”, as amended.

 

In December 2000, we entered into a second build-to-suit lease (“Phase Two Lease”) with Keybank National Association for a five and one-half year term beginning in December 2000 to expand our Redwood City, California headquarters facilities and develop adjacent property (“Phase Two Facilities”). Construction of the Phase Two Facilities was completed in June 2002. The Phase Two Facilities comprise a total of approximately 310,000 square feet and provide space for sales, marketing, administration and research and development functions. Subject to certain terms and conditions, we may purchase the Phase Two Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase Two Facilities to a third party.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Phase Two Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase Two Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $115 million. In the event of a sale to a third party, if the sale price is less than $115 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the difference between the actual sale price and $115 million, up to a maximum of $105 million, subject to certain provisions of the Phase Two Lease, as amended.

 

On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended the Phase Two Lease through July 2009 subject to early termination in the event the underlying loan financing between the lessor and its lenders is not extended. Concurrently with the extension of the lease, the lessor extended the loan financing underlying the Phase Two Lease with its lenders through July 2007. On May 14, 2007, the lenders extended this financing again for an additional year through July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the lenders extended the financing for another year through July 2009. At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease and the related financing arrangement. We account for the Phase Two Lease arrangement as an operating lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, as amended.

 

We believe that, as of March 31, 2008, the estimated fair values of both properties under these operating leases exceeded their respective guaranteed residual values.

 

Guildford, Orlando, Los Angeles and Vancouver Studios; Louisville Distribution Center

 

In February 2006, we entered into an agreement with an independent third party to lease a facility in Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom, which commenced in June 2006 and will expire in May 2016. The facility comprises a total of approximately 95,000 square feet, which we use for administrative, sales and development functions. Our rental obligation under this agreement is approximately $33 million over the initial ten-year term of the lease.

 

In June 2004, we entered into a lease agreement, amended in December 2005, with an independent third party for a studio facility in Orlando, Florida. The lease commenced in January 2005 and expires in June 2010, with one five-year option to extend the lease term. The campus facilities comprise a total of 140,000 square feet and provide space for research and development functions. Our rental obligation over the initial five-and-a-half year term of the lease is $15 million.

 

In July 2003, we entered into a lease agreement with an independent third party (the “Landlord”) for a studio facility in Los Angeles, California, which commenced in October 2003 and expires in September 2013 with two five-year options to extend the lease term. Additionally, we have options to purchase the property after five and ten years based on the fair market value of the property at the date of sale, a right of first offer to purchase the property upon terms offered by the Landlord, and a right to share in the profits from a sale of the property. Existing campus facilities comprise a total of 243,000 square feet and provide space for research and development functions. Our rental obligation under this agreement is $50 million over the initial ten-year term of the lease. This commitment is offset by expected sublease income of $6 million for a sublease to an affiliate of the Landlord of 18,000 square feet of the Los Angeles facility, which commenced in October 2003 and expires in September 2013, with options of early termination by either party after October 2008.

 

In October 2002, we entered into a lease agreement, with an independent third party for a studio facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which commenced in May 2003 and expires in April 2013. We amended the lease in October 2003. The facility comprises a total of approximately 65,000 square feet and

provides space for research and development functions. Our rental obligation under this agreement is approximately $16 million over the initial ten-year term of the lease.

 

Our North American distribution is supported by a centralized warehouse facility that we lease in Louisville, Kentucky, occupying 250,000 square feet.

 

In addition to the properties discussed above, we have other properties under lease which have been included in our restructuring costs as discussed in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report. While we continually evaluate our facility requirements, we believe that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as needed to accommodate our future needs.

 

 

We are subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any liability from any reasonably foreseeable disposition of such claims and litigation, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

 

There were no matters submitted to a vote of our security holders during the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

 

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ERTS”. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales price per share of our common stock from April 1, 2006 through March 31, 2008.

 

 

Holders

 

There were approximately 1,694 holders of record of our common stock as of May 16, 2008, and the closing price of our common stock was $49.60 per share as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market. In addition, we believe that a significant number of beneficial owners of our common stock hold their shares in street name.

 

Dividends

 

We have not paid any cash dividends and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Stock Performance Graph

 

The following information shall not be deemed to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor shall this information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a filing.

 

The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns during the period from March 31, 2003 through March 31, 2008, for our common stock, the NASDAQ Market Composite Index, the S&P 500 Index (to which EA was added in July 2002) and the RDG Technology Composite Index, each of which assumes an initial value of $100. Each measurement point is as of the end of each fiscal year ended March 31. The performance of our stock depicted in the following graph is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of our stock.

 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among Electronic Arts Inc., The NASDAQ Composite Index,

The S&P 500 Index and The RDG Technology Composite Index

 

 

* $100 invested on March 31, 2003 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending March 31.

 

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

SELECTED FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

The following overview is a top-level discussion of our operating results as well as some of the trends and drivers that affect our business. Management believes that an understanding of these trends and drivers is important in order to understand our results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, as well as our future prospects. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to be a substitute for the detailed discussion and analysis provided elsewhere in this Form 10-K, including in the “Business” section and the “Risk Factors” above, the remainder of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, or the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

 

About Electronic Arts

 

We develop, market, publish and distribute video game software and content that can be played by consumers on a variety of platforms, including video game consoles (such as the Sony PlayStation^® 2 and PLAYSTATION^® 3, Microsoft Xbox 360^tm and Nintendo Wii^tm), personal computers, handheld game players (such as the PlayStation^® Portable (“PSP^tm”) and the Nintendo DS^tm) and cellular handsets. Some of our games are based on content that we license from others (e.g., Madden NFL Football, Harry Potter and FIFA Soccer), and some of our games are based on our own wholly-owned intellectual property (e.g., The Sims^tm, Need for Speed^tm and POGO^tm). Our goal is to publish titles with global mass-market appeal, which often means translating and localizing them for sale in non-English speaking countries. In addition, we also attempt to create software game “franchises” that allow us to publish new titles on a recurring basis that are based on the same property. Examples of this franchise approach are the annual iterations of our sports-based products (e.g., Madden NFL Football, NCAA^® Football and FIFA Soccer), wholly-owned properties that can be successfully sequeled (e.g., The Sims, Need for Speed and Battlefield) and titles based on long-lived literary and/or movie properties (e.g., Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter).

 

Special Note Regarding Deferred Net Revenue

 

The ubiquity of high-speed Internet access and the integration of network connectivity into new generation game consoles are expected to continue to increase demand for games with online-enabled features. To address this demand, many of our software products are developed with the ability to be connected to, and played via, the Internet. In order for consumers to participate in online communities and play against one another via the Internet, we (either directly or through outsourced arrangements with third parties) maintain servers which support an online service we offer to consumers for activities such as matchmaking. In situations where we do not separately sell this online service, we account for the sale of the software product as a “bundle” sale, or multiple element arrangement, in which we sell both the software product and the online service for one combined price.

 

Through fiscal 2007, for accounting purposes, vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”) existed for the online service. Accordingly, we allocated the revenue collected from the sale of the software product between the online service offered and the software product and recognized the amounts allocated to each element separately. However, starting in fiscal 2008, for accounting purposes, the required vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value did not exist for the online service related to certain of our online-enabled software products. This prevented us from allocating and separately recognizing revenue related to the software product and the online service. Accordingly, starting in fiscal 2008, we began to recognize all of the revenue from the sale of our online-enabled software products for the PC, PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii and the PSP on a deferred basis over an estimated online service period, which we estimate to be six months beginning in the month after shipment. On a quarterly basis, the deferral amount will vary significantly depending upon the number of titles we release, the timing of their release, sales volume, returns and price protection provided for these online-enabled software products. In addition, we expense the cost of goods sold related to these transactions during the period in which the product is delivered (rather than on a deferred basis), which inherently creates volatility in our reported gross margin percentages.

As of March 31, 2008, we had an accumulated balance of $387 million of deferred net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital content, substantially all of which was driven by sales made during the six months ended March 31, 2008. As of March 31, 2007, we had an accumulated balance of $32 million of deferred net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital content.

 

Financial Results

 

Total net revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was $3.665 billion, up 19 percent as compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. The impact of deferrals related to packaged goods and digital content for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 decreased our reported net revenue and operating income by $355 million. Net revenue was driven by sales of Rock Band, Madden NFL 08, FIFA 08, Need for Speed ProStreet, and The Simpsons^tm Game.

 

Net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was $454 million as compared to net income of $76 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Diluted loss per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was $1.45 as compared to diluted income per share of $0.24 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Net income decreased during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 primarily due to (1) an increase in cost of goods sold of $593 million, (2) an increase in sales of online-enabled titles for which we were unable to establish VSOE that resulted in the net deferral of $355 million of net revenue out of fiscal 2008 and into future periods, (3) an increase of $135 million in acquired in-process technology primarily due to our acquisition of VG Holding Corp., (4) losses on strategic investments of $118 million, (5) an increase of $108 million in personnel-related costs, (6) an increase of $90 million in marketing, advertising and promotional expenses primarily to support our launch of new franchises and incremental spending on recurring franchises, and (7) an increase of $88 million in restructuring charges primarily as a result of our fiscal 2008 reorganization. These items were partially offset by (1) an increase in $574 million in net revenue and (2) $119 million lower income tax expense.

 

We generated $338 million of cash from operating activities during the year ended March 31, 2008, as compared to $397 million for fiscal 2007. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 was primarily due to (1) an increase in operating expenses paid resulting from an increase in advertising and marketing costs, external development expenses and personnel-related expenses, and (2) a $90 million increase in incentive-based cash compensation paid in fiscal 2008 which were earned with respect to fiscal 2007 performance. These decreases were significantly offset by higher net revenue collected during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.

 

Management’s Overview of Historical and Prospective Business Trends

 

Fiscal 2008 Reorganization.  In fiscal 2008, we reorganized our business into four operating “labels” — EA Games, EA SPORTS, The Sims and EA Casual Entertainment — and an additional group that works closely with the labels — Global Publishing. Each label is structured to operate globally and includes several key functions including development studios, product marketing, and planning for products and services. Global Publishing operates in three regions, North America, Europe and Asia, and is responsible for strategic planning, field marketing, sales, distribution, operations, product certification, quality assurance, motion capture, art outsourcing and localization.

 

In October 2007, our Board of Directors approved a plan of reorganization (“fiscal 2008 reorganization plan”). Since the inception of the fiscal 2008 reorganization plan through March 31, 2008, we incurred charges associated with (1) the closure of our Chertsey, England and Chicago, Illinois facilities, which included asset impairment and lease termination costs, (2) employee-related expenses, and (3) other costs including other contract terminations as well as IT and consulting costs to assist in the reorganization of our business support functions. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we completed the closure of our Chertsey facility and consolidated our local operations and employees into our Guildford, England facility. Over the next 18 months, we expect to continue to incur IT and consulting costs to assist in the reorganization of our business support functions.

Including charges incurred through March 31, 2008, we expect to incur cash and non-cash charges between $115 million and $125 million by fiscal 2010 related to our fiscal 2008 reorganization plan. These charges will consist primarily of employee-related costs (approximately $10 million in cash charges), facility exit costs (approximately $60 million in cash and non-cash charges), as well as other reorganization costs including other contract terminations and IT and consulting costs to assist in the reorganization of our business support functions (approximately $50 million in cash and non-cash charges).

 

Transition to a New Generation of Consoles.  Video game hardware systems have historically had a life cycle of four to six years, which causes the video game software market to be cyclical as well. The current cycle began with Microsoft’s launch of the Xbox 360 in 2005, and continued in 2006 when Sony and Nintendo launched their next-generation systems, the PLAYSTATION 3 and the Wii, respectively. During fiscal 2008, the installed base of each of these systems continued to expand and, as a result, sales of our products for these systems have also increased significantly. At the same time, however, demand for video games for prior-generation systems, particularly the original Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube, has declined significantly. Although we expect to continue developing and marketing new titles for the prior-generation PlayStation 2 in fiscal 2009, we only expect to release one title for the original Xbox and no titles for the Nintendo GameCube. As a result, we expect our sales of video games for prior-generation systems will continue to decline. The decline in prior-generation product sales, particularly the PlayStation 2, may be greater or faster than we anticipate, and sales of products for the new platforms may be lower or increase more slowly than we anticipate. Moreover, we expect development costs for the new video game systems continue to be greater on a per-title basis than development costs for prior-generation video game systems.

 

We have incurred increased costs during this transition as we have continued to develop and market new titles for certain prior-generation video game platforms, while also making significant investments in products for the new generation platforms. We expect research and development expenses to increase on an absolute basis in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 (although not necessarily as a percentage of net revenue).

 

Online.  Today, we generate net revenue from a variety of online products and services, including casual games and downloadable content marketed under our Pogo brand, persistent state world games such as Ultima Online^tm and Dark Age of Camelot^®, PC-based downloadable content and online-enabled packaged goods. In addition, we are anticipating the release of a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Warhammer^® Online. We intend to make significant investments in online products, infrastructure and services and believe that online gameplay will become an increasingly important part of our business in the long term.

 

Expansion of Mobile Platforms.  Advances in mobile technology have resulted in a variety of new and evolving platforms for on-the-go interactive entertainment that appeal to a broader demographic of consumers. Our efforts to capitalize on the growth in mobile interactive entertainment are focused in two broad areas — packaged goods games for handheld game systems and downloadable games for cellular handsets.

 

We have developed and published games for a variety of handheld platforms for several years. More recently, the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS, with their enhanced graphics, deeper gameplay, and online functionality, provide a richer mobile gaming experience for consumers.

 

We expect sales of games for handhelds and cellular handsets to continue to be an important part of our business worldwide.

 

Acquisitions and Investments.  We have engaged in, evaluated, and expect to continue to engage in and evaluate, a wide array of potential strategic transactions, including acquisitions of companies, businesses, intellectual properties, and other assets. Since the beginning of fiscal 2007, we have announced and/or completed several acquisitions and investments, including:

 

 

 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we announced a proposal to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(“Take-Two”), for a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion (including fees and expenses). Take-Two’s Board of Directors has stated that our offer undervalues the company and is not in the best interests of stockholders. If we were to acquire Take-Two, we expect the acquisition would have a material impact on our future financial position and results of operations and cash flows. Although the offer is not conditional upon any financing arrangements, our Board of Directors has authorized us to obtain additional financing, a portion of which may be used in part to fund the acquisition. There can be no assurance that we will acquire Take-Two.

 

International Operations and Foreign Currency Exchange Impact.  International sales are a fundamental part of our business. Net revenue from international sales accounted for approximately 47 percent of our total net revenue during fiscal 2008 and approximately 46 percent of our total net revenue during fiscal 2007. Our international net revenue was primarily driven by sales in Europe and, to a much lesser extent, in Asia. Year-over-year, we estimate that foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact on our net revenue of $125 million, or 4 percent, for the year ended March 31, 2008. We believe that in order to succeed internationally, it is important to locally develop content that is specifically directed toward local cultures and consumers.

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Beginning on April 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004) (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), “Share-Based Payment”, and applied the provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, “Share-Based Payment”, to our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). During fiscal 2008, we recognized stock-based compensation of $150 million, pre-tax, and $123 million, net of tax. During fiscal 2007, we recognized stock-based compensation of $133 million, pre-tax, and $107 million, net of tax. Stock-based compensation expense has been reflected in the respective functional line items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities, and revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical because they are not only important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, but also because application and interpretation of these policies requires both judgment and estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain and unknown. As a result, actual results may differ materially from our estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition, Sales Returns, Allowances and Bad Debt Reserves

 

We derive revenue principally from sales of interactive software games designed for play on video game consoles (such as the PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and Wii), PCs and mobile platforms including handheld game players (such as the PSP and Nintendo DS), and cellular handsets. We evaluate the

recognition of revenue based on the criteria set forth in Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition”, as amended by SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions” and SAB No. 104, “Revenue Recognition”. We evaluate and recognize revenue when all four of the following criteria are met:

 

 

Determining whether and when some of these criteria have been satisfied often involves assumptions and judgments that can have a significant impact on the timing and amount of revenue we report in each period. For example, for multiple element arrangements, we must make assumptions and judgments in order to: (1) determine whether and when each element has been delivered; (2) determine whether undelivered products or services are essential to the functionality of the delivered products and services; (3) determine whether VSOE exists for each undelivered element; and (4) allocate the total price among the various elements we must deliver. Changes to any of these assumptions or judgments, or changes to the elements in a software arrangement, could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of revenue that we report in a particular period. For example, in connection with some of our packaged goods product sales, we offer an online service without an additional fee. Prior to fiscal 2008, we were able to determine VSOE for the online service to be delivered; therefore, we were able to allocate the total price received from the combined product and online service sale between these two elements and recognize the related revenue separately. However, starting in fiscal 2008, VSOE does not exist for the online service to be delivered for certain platforms and all revenue from these transactions are recognized over the estimated online service period. More specifically, starting in fiscal 2008, we began to recognize the revenue from sales of certain online-enabled packaged goods on a straight-line basis over a six month period beginning in the month after shipment. Accordingly, this relatively small change (from having VSOE for the online service to no longer having VSOE) has had a significant effect on our reported results.

 

Determining whether a transaction constitutes an online game service transaction or a download of a product requires judgment and can be difficult. The accounting for these transactions is significantly different. Revenue from product downloads is generally recognized when the download occurs (assuming all other recognition criteria are met). Revenue from online game services is recognized as the services are rendered. If the service period is not defined, we recognize the revenue over the estimated service period. Determining the estimated service period is inherently subjective and is subject to regular revision based on historical online usage.

 

Product revenue, including sales to resellers and distributors (“channel partners”), is recognized when the above criteria are met. We reduce product revenue for estimated future returns, price protection, and other offerings, which may occur with our customers and channel partners. Price protection represents the right to receive a credit allowance in the event we lower our wholesale price on a particular product. The amount of the price protection is generally the difference between the old price and the new price. In certain countries, we have stock-balancing programs for our PC and video game system products, which allow for the exchange of these products by resellers under certain circumstances. It is our general practice to exchange products or give credits rather than to give cash refunds.

In certain countries, from time to time, we decide to provide price protection for both our PC and video game system products. When evaluating the adequacy of sales returns and price protection allowances, we analyze historical returns, current sell-through of distributor and retailer inventory of our products, current trends in retail and the video game segment, changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products, and other related factors. In addition, we monitor the volume of sales to our channel partners and their inventories, as substantial overstocking in the distribution channel could result in high returns or higher price protection costs in subsequent periods.

 

In the future, actual returns and price protections may materially exceed our estimates as unsold products in the distribution channels are exposed to rapid changes in consumer preferences, market conditions or technological obsolescence due to new platforms, product updates or competing products. For example, the risk of product returns and/or price protection for our products may continue to increase as the PlayStation 2 console moves through its lifecycle. While we believe we can make reliable estimates regarding these matters, these estimates are inherently subjective. Accordingly, if our estimates changed, our returns and price protection reserves would change, which would impact the total net revenue we report. For example, if actual returns and/or price protection were significantly greater than the reserves we have established, our actual results would decrease our reported total net revenue. Conversely, if actual returns and/or price protection were significantly less than our reserves, this would increase our reported total net revenue. In addition, if our estimates of returns and price protection related to online-enabled packaged goods products change, the amount of net deferred revenue we recognize in the future would change.

 

Significant judgment is required to estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts in any accounting period. We determine our allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating customer creditworthiness in the context of current economic trends and historical experience. Depending upon the overall economic climate and the financial condition of our customers, the amount and timing of our bad debt expense and cash collection could change significantly.

 

Fair Value Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States often requires us to determine the fair value of a particular item in order to fairly present our financial statements. Without an independent market or another representative transaction, determining the fair value of a particular item requires us to make several assumptions that are inherently difficult to predict and can have a material impact on the conclusion on the appropriate accounting.

 

There are various valuation techniques used to estimate fair value. These include (1) the market approach where market transactions for identical or comparable assets or liabilities are used to determine the fair value, (2) the income approach which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts (for example, future cash flows or future earnings) to a single present amount, and (3) the cost approach which is based on the amount that would be required to replace an asset. For many of our fair value estimates, including our estimates of the fair value of acquired intangible assets, acquired in-process technology and equity instruments granted for services, we use the income approach. Using the income approach requires the use of financial models which require us to make various estimates including, but not limited to (1) the potential future cash flows for the asset, liability or equity instrument being measured, (2) the timing of receipt or payment of those future cash flows, (3) the time value of money associated with the delayed receipt or payment of such cash flows, and (4) the inherent risk associated with the cash flows (risk premium). Making these cash flow estimates are inherently difficult and subjective, and, if any of the estimates used to determine the fair value using the income approach turns out to be inaccurate, our financial results may be negatively impacted. Furthermore, relatively small changes in many of these estimates can have a significant impact to the estimated fair value resulting from the financial models or the related accounting conclusion reached. For example, a relatively small change in the estimated fair value of an asset may change a conclusion as to whether an asset is impaired.

While we are required to make certain fair value assessments associated with the accounting for several types of transactions, the following areas are the most sensitive to the assessments:

 

Business Combinations.  We must estimate the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and acquired in-process technology in a business combination. Our assessment of the estimated fair value of each of these can have a material affect on our reported results as intangible assets are amortized over various lives and acquired in-process technology is expensed upon consummation. Furthermore, a change in the estimated fair value of an asset or liability often has a direct impact on the amount to recognize as goodwill, an asset that is not amortized. Often determining the fair value of these assets and liabilities assumed requires an assessment of expected use of the asset, the expected cost to extinguish the liability or our expectations related to the timing and the successful completion of development of an acquired in-process technology. Such estimates are inherently difficult and subjective and can have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Assessment of Impairment of Assets.  Current accounting standards require that we assess the recoverability of purchased intangible assets and other long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the remaining value of the assets recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets is potentially impaired. In order to determine if a potential impairment has occurred, management must make various assumptions about the estimated fair value of the asset by evaluating future business prospects and estimated cash flows. For some assets, our estimated fair value is dependent upon our predictions of which of our products we develop will be successful which is dependent upon several things beyond our control, such as which operating platforms will be successful in the marketplace. Also, our revenue and earnings are dependent on our ability to meet our product release schedules.

 

SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” requires at least an annual assessment for impairment of goodwill by applying a fair-value-based test. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units, and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. Determining the estimated fair value for each reporting unit could be materially affected by changes in estimates and assumptions which could trigger impairment.

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  We are required to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant. The estimated fair value of stock options and stock purchase rights granted pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model which requires us to make certain assumptions about the future. Determining the estimated fair value is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding subjective and complex variables such as expected employee exercise behavior and our expected stock price volatility over the term of the award. We estimated the following key assumptions for the Black-Scholes valuation calculation:

 

 

Changes to our underlying stock price, our assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option valuation calculation and our forfeiture rate, which is based on historical data, as well as future equity granted or assumed through acquisitions could significantly impact compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.

Royalties and Licenses

 

Our royalty expenses consist of payments to (1) content licensors, (2) independent software developers, and (3) co-publishing and distribution affiliates. License royalties consist of payments made to celebrities, professional sports organizations, movie studios and other organizations for our use of their trademarks, copyrights, personal publicity rights, content and/or other intellectual property. Royalty payments to independent software developers are payments for the development of intellectual property related to our games. Co-publishing and distribution royalties are payments made to third parties for the delivery of product.

 

Royalty-based obligations with content licensors and distribution affiliates are either paid in advance and capitalized as prepaid royalties or are accrued as incurred and subsequently paid. These royalty-based obligations are generally expensed to cost of goods sold generally at the greater of the contractual rate or an effective royalty rate based on the total projected net revenue. Significant judgment is required to estimate the effective royalty rate for a particular contract. Because the computation of effective royalty rates requires us to project future revenue, it is inherently subjective as our future revenue projections must anticipate a number of factors, including (1) the total number of titles subject to the contract, (2) the timing of the release of these titles, (3) the number of software units we expect to sell which can be impacted by a number of variables, including product quality and competition, and (4) future pricing. Determining the effective royalty rate for our titles is particularly challenging due to the inherent difficulty in predicting the popularity of entertainment products. Accordingly, if our future revenue projections change, our effective royalty rates would change, which could impact the royalty expense we recognize. Prepayments made to thinly capitalized independent software developers and co-publishing affiliates are generally made in connection with the development of a particular product and, therefore, we are generally subject to development risk prior to the release of the product. Accordingly, payments that are due prior to completion of a product are generally expensed to research and development over the development period as the services are incurred. Payments due after completion of the product (primarily royalty-based in nature) are generally expensed as cost of goods sold.

 

Our contracts with some licensors include minimum guaranteed royalty payments which are initially recorded as an asset and as a liability at the contractual amount when no performance remains with the licensor. When performance remains with the licensor, we record guarantee payments as an asset when actually paid and as a liability when incurred, rather than recording the asset and liability upon execution of the contract. Minimum royalty payment obligations are classified as current liabilities to the extent such royalty payments are contractually due within the next twelve months. As of March 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately $10 million and $9 million, respectively, of minimum guaranteed royalty obligations had been recognized.

 

Each quarter, we also evaluate the future realization of our royalty-based assets as well as any unrecognized minimum commitments not yet paid to determine amounts we deem unlikely to be realized through product sales. Any impairments or losses determined before the launch of a product are charged to research and development expense. Impairments or losses determined post-launch are charged to cost of goods sold. In either case, we rely on estimated revenue to evaluate the future realization of prepaid royalties and commitments. If actual sales or revised revenue estimates fall below the initial revenue estimate, then the actual charge taken may be greater in any given quarter than anticipated. During fiscal 2008 and 2006, we recognized impairment charges of $4 million and $16 million, respectively. We had no impairments during fiscal 2007.

 

Income Taxes

 

We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the tax law and ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As part of the process of preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate prior to the completion and filing of tax returns for such periods. This process requires estimating both our geographic mix of income and our uncertain tax positions in each jurisdiction where we operate. These

estimates involve complex issues and require us to make judgments, such as anticipating the positions that we will take on tax returns prior to our actually preparing the returns and the outcomes of disputes with tax authorities. The ultimate resolution of these issues may take extended periods of time due to examinations by tax authorities and statutes of limitations. We are also required to make determinations of the need to record deferred tax liabilities and the recoverability of deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is established to the extent that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets will not be realized based on our estimation of future taxable income in each jurisdiction.

 

In addition, changes in our business, including acquisitions, changes in our international corporate structure, changes in the geographic location of business functions or assets, changes in the geographic mix and amount of income, as well as changes in our agreements with tax authorities, valuation allowances, applicable accounting rules, applicable tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax audit and other matters, and variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income can affect the overall effective income tax rate.

 

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves accounting for uncertainties in the application of complex tax rules, regulations and practices. As a result of the implementation of FIN No. 48, we recognize benefits for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition of a benefit (or the absence of a liability) by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position taken will be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. If it is not, in our judgment, “more likely than not” that the position will be sustained, then we do not recognize any benefit for the position. If it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, a second step in the process is required to estimate how much of the benefit we will ultimately receive. This second step requires that we estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts. We reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new facts, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of an audit, effective settlement of audit issues, and commencement of new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the period. As a result of the adoption of FIN No. 48, we expect our tax rate to be more volatile.

 

We historically have considered undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States and, accordingly, no U.S. taxes have been provided thereon. Although we repatriated funds under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 in fiscal 2006, we currently intend to continue to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Our fiscal year is reported on a 52 or 53-week period that ends on the Saturday nearest March 31. For simplicity of disclosure, all fiscal periods are referred to as ending on a calendar month end. Our results of operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 contained 52 weeks and ended on March 29, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively. Our results of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 contained 53 weeks and ended on April 1, 2006.

 

Comparison of Fiscal 2008 to Fiscal 2007

 

Net Revenue

 

Net revenue consists of sales generated from (1) video games sold as packaged goods and designed for play on hardware consoles (such as the PlayStation 2, PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and Wii), PCs and handheld game players (such as the Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and Nintendo Game Boy Advance), (2) video games for cellular handsets, (3) interactive online-enabled packaged goods, digital content, and online services associated with these games, (4) services in connection with some of our online games, (5) programming third-party web sites with our game content, (6) allowing other companies to manufacture and sell our products in conjunction with other products, and (7) advertisements on our online web pages and in our games.

During fiscal 2008 and 2007, we recognized total net revenue of $3,665 million and $3,091 million, respectively. Our total net revenue during fiscal 2008 includes $831 million recognized from sales of certain online-enabled packaged goods and digital content for which we were not able to objectively determine the fair value (as defined by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for software sales) of a free online service that we provided in connection with the sale. The deferral of net revenue related to certain of our packaged goods and digital content sales, which will be recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $355 million during fiscal 2008, as compared to the same period a year ago.

 

From a geographical perspective, our total net revenue for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

North America

 

For fiscal 2008, net revenue in North America was $1,942 million, driven by sales of Rock Band, Madden NFL 08, and NCAA Football 08.

 

Net revenue for fiscal 2008 increased 17 percent as compared to fiscal 2007. The deferral of net revenue related to certain of our packaged goods and digital content sales, which will be recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $158 million during fiscal 2008. From an operational perspective, the increase in net revenue was driven by (1) a $445 million increase in net revenue from co-publishing and distribution titles (which does not include an additional $10 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods), and (2) a $118 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Wii (which does not include an additional $17 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods). These increases were partially offset by (1) a $208 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the PlayStation 2 (this decrease will be partially offset, however, by $29 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods), and (2) a $105 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox.

 

We continue to expect net revenue in North America to increase during fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008.

 

Europe

 

For fiscal 2008, net revenue in Europe was $1,541 million, driven by sales of FIFA 08, Need for Speed ProStreet, and The Simpsons Game. Net revenue for fiscal 2008 increased 22 percent as compared to fiscal 2007. We estimate that foreign exchange (primarily the Euro and the British pounds sterling) increased reported net revenue by approximately $113 million, or 9 percent, for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates, we estimate that net revenue increased by approximately $167 million, or 13 percent, for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.

 

The deferral of net revenue related to certain of our packaged goods and digital content sales, which will be recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $169 million during fiscal 2008. From an operational perspective the increase in net revenue was driven by (1) a $109 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the PLAYSTATION 3 (which does not include an additional $86 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods), (2) $108 million of net revenue from sales of titles for the

Wii (which does not include an additional $8 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods), and (3) a $77 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Nintendo DS.

 

We continue to expect net revenue in Europe to increase during fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008.

 

Asia

 

For fiscal 2008, net revenue in Asia was $182 million, driven by sales of Need for Speed ProStreet, The Simpsons Game, and FIFA 08. Net revenue for fiscal 2008 increased 11 percent as compared to fiscal 2007. We estimate that foreign exchange increased reported net revenue by approximately $12 million, or 7 percent, for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates, we estimate that net revenue increased by $6 million, or 4 percent during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.

 

The deferral of net revenue related to certain of our packaged goods and digital content sales, which will be recognized in future periods, decreased our reported net revenue by $28 million during fiscal 2008. From an operational perspective, the increase in net revenue was driven by (1) a $12 million increase in sales of titles for the PLAYSTATION 3 (which does not include an additional $14 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods), (2) $12 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Wii (which does not include an additional $1 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods), and (3) an $11 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Nintendo DS. These increases were partially offset by (1) a $9 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the PC (this decrease will be offset, however, by $3 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods), (2) a $6 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox, and (3) a $6 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the PSP (this decrease will be offset, however, by $4 million of deferred net revenue that will be recognized in future periods).

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

Cost of goods sold for our packaged-goods business consists of (1) product costs, (2) certain royalty expenses for celebrities, professional sports and other organizations and independent software developers, (3) manufacturing royalties, net of volume discounts and other vendor reimbursements, (4) expenses for defective products, (5) write-offs of post-launch prepaid royalty costs, (6) amortization of certain intangible assets, (7) personnel-related costs, and (8) distribution costs. We generally recognize volume discounts when they are earned from the manufacturer (typically in connection with the achievement of unit-based milestones), whereas other vendor reimbursements are generally recognized as the related revenue is recognized. Cost of goods sold for our online products consists primarily of data center and bandwidth costs associated with hosting our web sites, credit card fees and royalties for use of third-party properties. Cost of goods sold for our web site advertising business primarily consists of server costs.

 

Cost of goods sold for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

For fiscal 2008, cost of goods sold increased by 10.1 percent as a percentage of total net revenue as compared to fiscal 2007. This increase was primarily due to:

 

 

As a percentage of total net revenue, the overall increase in cost of goods sold was partially offset by lower license royalty rates of approximately 1 percent as a percentage of total net revenue primarily due to a higher

proportion of sales in fiscal 2008 from our owned intellectual property franchises that have lower royalty rates as compared to fiscal 2007.

 

Although there can be no assurance, and our actual results could differ materially, in the short term we expect our gross margin as a percentage of total net revenue to increase in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 as a result of (1) a decrease in the change in deferred net revenue related to certain online-enabled packaged goods (we expense the cost of goods sold related to these transactions when delivered) and (2) a favorable mix of EA Studio revenue.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

Marketing and sales expenses consist of personnel-related costs and advertising, marketing and promotional expenses, net of qualified advertising cost reimbursements from third parties.

 

Marketing and sales expenses for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue, marketing and sales expenses were adversely impacted by our deferral of net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital content during fiscal 2008.

 

Marketing and sales expenses increased by $122 million, or 26 percent, in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. The increase was primarily due to (1) an increase of $90 million in marketing, advertising and promotional expenses primarily to support our launch of new franchises and incremental spending on established franchises, as well as (2) a $23 million increase in personnel-related costs primarily resulting from an increase in headcount.

 

Marketing and sales expenses included vendor reimbursements for advertising expenses of $54 million and $28 million in fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

We expect marketing and sales expenses to increase in absolute dollars in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to higher advertising and marketing activity to support our titles.

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses consist of personnel and related expenses of executive and administrative staff, fees for professional services such as legal and accounting, and allowances for doubtful accounts.

 

General and administrative expenses for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expenses were adversely impacted by our deferral of net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital content during fiscal 2008.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $51 million, or 18 percent, in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 primarily due to (1) an increase of $23 million in additional personnel-related costs to help support our administrative functions worldwide, (2) an increase in contracted services associated with IT systems initiatives, professional services and business development of $21 million to support the growth of the organization, and (3) an increase in facilities-related expenses of $12 million in support of our administrative functions worldwide. These increases were partially offset by a $7 million reduction in incentive-based compensation expense.

 

We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to an increase in personnel-related costs.

Research and Development

 

Research and development expenses consist of expenses incurred by our production studios for personnel-related costs, contracted services, equipment depreciation and any impairment of prepaid royalties for pre-launch products. Research and development expenses for our online business include expenses incurred by our studios consisting of direct development and related overhead costs in connection with the development and production of our online games. Research and development expenses also include expenses associated with the development of web site content, software licenses and maintenance, network infrastructure and management overhead.

 

Research and development expenses for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

As a percentage of net revenue, research and development expenses were adversely impacted by our deferral of net revenue related to online-enabled packaged goods and digital content during fiscal 2008.

 

Research and development expenses increased by $104 million, or 10 percent, in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. The increase was primarily due to (1) an increase of $93 million in additional personnel-related costs primarily due to an increase in headcount and partially as a result of our acquisition of VGH, (2) higher external development costs of $32 million to support new releases such as our Union of European Football Association’s EURO soccer franchise and titles from The Sims franchise, and (3) an increase in depreciation of $12 million. These increases were partially offset by a $24 million reduction in incentive-based compensation expense and $6 million reduction in facilities-related expenses.

 

We expect research and development expenses to increase in absolute dollars in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to an increase in personnel-related costs and a greater number of titles in development.

 

Amortization of Intangibles

 

Amortization of intangibles for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

For fiscal 2008, amortization of intangibles resulted from our acquisitions of JAMDAT, VGH and others. For fiscal 2007, amortization of intangibles resulted from our acquisitions of JAMDAT, Mythic and others. Amortization of intangibles increased by $7 million, or 26 percent, in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 primarily due to the amortization of intangibles related to our acquisition of VGH. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.

 

We expect amortization of intangible expenses to increase in fiscal 2009 primarily due to the amortization of intangibles related to our acquisition of VGH, which will be included in our results for a full year in fiscal 2009.

 

Acquired In-Process Technology

 

Acquired in-process technology charges for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Acquired in-process technology includes the value of products in the development stage that are not considered to have reached technological feasibility or have an alternative future use. Accordingly, upon consummation of an acquisition, we generally incur a charge for the related acquired in-process technology, as reflected in our

Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report. In connection with our acquisition of VGH, we incurred acquired in-process technology charges of $138 million in relation to game software that had not reached technical feasibility at the date of acquisition. The fair values of VGH’s products under development were determined using the income approach, which discounts expected future cash flows from the acquired in-process technology to present value. The discount rates used in the present value calculations were derived from a weighted average cost of capital of 17 percent. Should the in-process software not be successfully completed, completed at a higher cost, or the development efforts go beyond the timeframe estimated by management, we will not receive the full benefits anticipated from the acquisition. Benefits from the development efforts are expected to commence in fiscal years 2009 through 2011. The acquired in-process technology charge we incurred in fiscal 2007 resulted from our acquisitions of Mythic and the remaining minority interest in DICE.

 

Restructuring Charges

 

Restructuring charges for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

In connection with our fiscal 2008 reorganization, during fiscal 2008, we incurred approximately $97 million of reorganization charges, of which $58 million was for facilities-related expenses, $27 million was for other expenses including other contract termination costs as well as IT and consulting costs to assist in the reorganization of our business support functions, and $12 million was for employee-related expenses.

 

In connection with our fiscal 2006 international publishing reorganization, during fiscal 2008, we incurred approximately $6 million of employee-related expenses. During fiscal 2007, restructuring charges related to our fiscal 2006 international publishing reorganization were approximately $15 million, of which $10 million was for employee-related expenses.

 

Losses on Strategic Investments

 

Losses on strategic investments for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

For fiscal 2008, we recognized $118 million of losses on strategic investments due to (1) an $81 million impairment with respect to our investment in The9, (2) a $28 million impairment with respect to our investment in Neowiz common stock, and (3) a $9 million impairment with respect to our investment in Neowiz preferred stock.

 

Interest and Other Income, Net

 

Interest and other income, net, for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

For fiscal 2008, interest and other income, net, decreased by $1 million, or 1 percent, as compared to fiscal 2007 primarily resulting from (1) an increase of $8 million in losses recognized due to foreign exchange and (2) a net decrease of $2 million in interest. These items were significantly offset by a $9 million gain recognized on sales of investments.

 

We expect interest income to decline during fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008.

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense (benefit) for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Our effective income tax benefit rate was 10.3 percent for fiscal 2008. Our income tax expense rate was 48.2 percent for fiscal 2007. For fiscal 2008, our effective income tax benefit rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0 percent due to a number of factors, including non-deductible acquisition-related costs, losses on strategic investments and certain loss on facility impairment for which future tax benefit is uncertain and not more likely than not to be realized, as well as certain non-deductible stock based compensation expenses. For fiscal 2007, our effective income tax rate was higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0 percent due to a number of factors, including certain non-deductible stock based compensation expenses and additional charges resulting from certain non-deductible acquisition-related costs.

 

Our effective income tax rates for fiscal 2009 and future periods will depend on a variety of factors, including changes in our business such as acquisitions and intercompany transactions (for example, we expect to incur significant intercompany tax charges in connection with our acquisition of VGH in fiscal 2009), changes in our international structure, changes in the geographic location of business functions or assets, changes in the geographic mix of income, as well as changes in, or termination of, our agreements with tax authorities, valuation allowances, applicable accounting rules, applicable tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax audit and other matters, and variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income or loss. We incur certain tax expenses that do not decline proportionately with declines in our pre-tax consolidated income or loss. As a result, in absolute dollar terms, our tax expense will have a greater influence on our effective tax rate at lower levels of pre-tax income or loss than at higher levels. In addition, at lower levels of pre-tax income or loss, our effective tax rate will be more volatile.

 

We historically have considered undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States and, accordingly, no U.S. taxes have been provided thereon. Although we repatriated funds under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 in fiscal 2006, we currently intend to continue to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States.

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

Net income (loss) for fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

Net income decreased by $530 million during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. The decrease was primarily due to (1) an increase in cost of goods sold of $593 million, (2) the net deferral of $355 million of net revenue out of fiscal 2008 and into future periods, (3) an increase of $135 million in acquired in-process technology primarily due to our acquisition of VGH, (4) losses on strategic investments of $118 million, (5) an increase of $108 million in personnel-related costs, (6) an increase of $90 million in marketing, advertising and promotional expenses primarily to support our launch of new franchises and incremental spending on recurring franchises, and (7) an increase of $88 million in restructuring charges primarily as a result of our fiscal 2008 reorganization. These items were partially offset by (1) an increase in $574 million in net revenue (which amount would have been $355 million higher absent the deferral of net revenue that will be recognized in future periods) and (2) $119 million lower income tax expense.

Comparison of Fiscal 2007 to Fiscal 2006

 

Net Revenue

 

From a geographical perspective, our total net revenue for fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

North America

 

For fiscal 2007, net revenue in North America was $1,666 million, driven by sales of Madden NFL 07, Need for Speed Carbon, and NCAA Football 07.

 

The increase in net revenue for fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 was driven by (1) a $239 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox 360, (2) a $95 million increase in cellular handset net revenue, and (3) $68 million in net revenue from sales of titles for the PLAYSTATION 3. These increases were partially offset by (1) a $168 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox, and (2) a $127 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the PlayStation 2.

 

 

Europe

 

For fiscal 2007, net revenue in Europe was $1,261 million, driven primarily by sales of FIFA 07 and Need for Speed Carbon. We estimate that foreign exchange rates (primarily the Euro and the British pounds sterling) increased reported European net revenue by approximately $57 million, or 5 percent, for fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates, we estimate that European net revenue increased by approximately $30 million, or 2 percent, for fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.

 

The increase in net revenue for fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 was driven by (1) a $90 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox 360, and (2) a $76 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the PC. These increases were partially offset by a $101 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the PlayStation 2.

 

 

Asia

 

For fiscal 2007, net revenue in Asia was $164 million, driven primarily by sales of Need for Speed Carbon. We estimate that changes in foreign exchange rates decreased reported net revenue in Asia by approximately $4 million, or 2 percent, for fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates, we estimate that Asia net revenue decreased by approximately $25 million, or 13 percent, for fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.

 

The decrease in net revenue for fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 was driven primarily by (1) a $21 million decrease in net revenue from co-publishing and distribution titles, (2) a $13 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the PlayStation 2, and (3) an $11 million decrease in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox. These decreases were partially offset by an $11 million increase in net revenue from sales of titles for the Xbox 360.

Cost of Goods Sold

 

Cost of goods sold for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

In fiscal 2007, cost of goods sold decreased by 0.8 percentage points as a percentage of total net revenue as compared to fiscal 2006. This decrease was primarily due to lower average product costs as a percentage of total net revenue primarily driven by (1) fewer returns and lower pricing actions taken, or expected to be taken, in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 and (2) improved inventory management. As a result, we estimate average product costs as a percentage of total net revenue decreased by approximately 2 percent in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.

 

As a percentage of total net revenue, the decrease in average product costs was partially offset by an estimated 1 percent increase in license royalties during fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to (1) license agreements associated with our EA SPORTS titles and (2) our acquisition of JAMDAT. This was partially offset by lower license royalties from movie-based titles in fiscal 2007.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

Marketing and sales expenses for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Marketing and sales expenses increased by $35 million, or 8 percent, in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. The increase was primarily due to (1) an increase of $17 million in stock-based compensation expense recognized as a result of our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), (2) an increase of $10 million in our annual bonus expense, and (3) $10 million in additional personnel-related costs primarily resulting from an increase in headcount. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $9 million in our marketing, advertising, promotional and related services as a result of higher advertising in the prior year to support our product releases, primarily from our Harry Potter and BLACK franchises.

 

Marketing and sales expenses included vendor reimbursements for advertising expenses of $28 million and $41 million in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $73 million, or 34 percent, in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to (1) an increase of $36 million in stock-based compensation expense recognized as a result of our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), (2) a $14 million increase in our annual bonus expense, (3) an $11 million increase in additional personnel-related costs to help support our administrative functions worldwide, and (4) an increase of $11 million in professional and contracted services in support of our technology infrastructure.

Research and Development

 

Research and development expenses for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Research and development expenses increased by $283 million, or 37 percent, in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. The increase was primarily due to (1) an increase of $75 million in stock-based compensation expense recognized as a result of our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), (2) a $59 million increase in our annual bonus expense, (3) $54 million in additional personnel-related costs, primarily due to a 14 percent increase in headcount related in part to our acquisitions of JAMDAT and Mythic, and partially to support development of games for the new generation of consoles, (4) an increase of $50 million in external development expenses primarily due to a greater number of projects in development as compared to the prior year as well as expenses in our cellular handset business resulting from our acquisition of JAMDAT, and (5) an increase of $45 million in facilities-related expenses in support of our research and development functions worldwide.

 

Amortization of Intangibles

 

Amortization of intangibles for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

For fiscal 2007, amortization of intangibles resulted from our acquisitions of JAMDAT, Mythic and others. For fiscal 2006, amortization of intangibles resulted from our acquisitions of JAMDAT, Criterion and others. Amortization of intangibles increased by $20 million, or 286 percent, in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to the amortization of intangibles related to our acquisitions of JAMDAT and Mythic. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.

 

Acquired In-process Technology

 

Acquired in-process technology charges for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

The acquired in-process technology charge we incurred in fiscal 2007 resulted from our acquisitions of Mythic and the remaining minority interest in DICE. The acquired in-process technology charge we incurred in fiscal 2006 resulted primarily from our acquisition of JAMDAT. Acquired in-process technology includes the value of products in the development stage that are not considered to have reached technological feasibility or have an alternative future use. Accordingly, upon consummation of these acquisitions, we incurred a charge for the acquired in-process technology, as reflected in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.

 

Restructuring Charges

 

Restructuring charges for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we recorded a total pre-tax restructuring charge of $10 million, consisting entirely of one-time benefits related to headcount reductions, which is included in restructuring charges in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. These headcount reductions related to our decision in

the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 to realign our resources with our product plan for fiscal 2007 and strategic opportunities for the new generation of consoles, online and mobile platforms.

 

During fiscal 2006, restructuring charges related to the establishment of our international publishing headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland were approximately $14 million, of which $8 million was for the closure of certain United Kingdom facilities. During fiscal 2007, restructuring charges related to the establishment of our international publishing headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland were approximately $15 million, of which $10 million was for employee-related expenses.

 

Interest and Other Income, Net

 

Interest and other income, net, for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

For fiscal 2007, interest and other income, net, increased by $35 million, or 55 percent, as compared to fiscal 2006 primarily due to an increase of $30 million in interest income as a result of higher yields on our cash, cash equivalent and short-term investment balances and a $7 million decrease in realized net losses recognized on investments.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Our effective income tax rates were 48.2 percent and 37.6 percent for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. For fiscal 2007, our effective income tax rate was higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0 percent due to a number of factors, including certain non-deductible stock based compensation expenses related to SFAS No. 123(R) and additional charges resulting from certain non-deductible acquisition-related costs during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. For fiscal 2006, our effective income tax rate is higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0 percent for fiscal 2006 due to a number of factors, including the repatriation of foreign earnings in connection with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and additional charges resulting from certain non-deductible acquisition-related costs during the second and fourth quarters of fiscal 2006, which were partially offset by other items.

 

Net Income

 

Net income for fiscal years 2007 and 2006 was as follows (in millions):

 

 

Net income decreased by $160 million, or 68 percent, in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. The decrease was due to a $395 million increase in our operating expenses primarily due to (1) an increase of $128 million in stock-based compensation expense recognized as a result of our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), (2) an $83 million increase in our annual bonus expense, and (3) a $75 million increase in additional personnel-related costs due to an increase in headcount (related in part to our acquisitions and growth in our EA Mobile business). These increases in operating expenses were mitigated by (1) a $140 million increase in net revenue and (2) an $81 million decrease in our income tax provision.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Fair value measurements would be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13” and FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”. These FSPs (1) defer the effective date in SFAS No. 157 for one year for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), (2) exclude certain leasing transactions accounted for under SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”, from the scope of Statement 157, and (3) include several specific examples of items eligible or not eligible for the one-year deferral. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. FSP FAS 157-1 is effective upon the initial adoption of SFAS No. 157. FSP FAS 157-2 defers the effective date of certain provisions of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years for items within the scope of the FSP. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157, FSP FAS 157-1 and FSP FAS 157-2 to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. It also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The provisions of SFAS No. 159 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. This Statement should not be applied retrospectively to fiscal years beginning prior to the effective date, except as permitted with early adoption. We are evaluating whether to adopt SFAS No. 159 and what impact the adoption would have on our Consolidated Financial Statements if we were to adopt it. If we adopt SFAS No. 159, it could have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In June 2007, the FASB ratified the Emerging Issues Task Force’s (“EITF”) consensus conclusion on EITF 07-03, “Accounting for Advance Payments for Goods or Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development”. EITF 07-03 addresses the diversity which exists with respect to the accounting for the non-refundable portion of a payment made by a research and development entity for future research and development activities. Under this conclusion, an entity is required to defer and capitalize non-refundable advance payments made for research and development activities until the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed. EITF 07-03 is effective for interim or annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007 and requires prospective application for new contracts entered into after the effective date. The adoption of EITF 07-03 will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007) (“SFAS No. 141(R)”), “Business Combinations”, which requires the recognition of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquiree at the acquisition date fair value with limited exceptions. SFAS No. 141(R) will change the accounting treatment for certain specific items and includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements for material acquisitions consummated on or after March 29, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — An Amendment of ARB No. 51”, which establishes new accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interest (minority interest) and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 160 to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB ratified EITF consensus conclusion on EITF 07-01, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements”. EITF 07-01 defines collaborative arrangements and establishes reporting requirements for transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement and between participants in the arrangement and third parties. Under this conclusion, a participant to a collaborative arrangement should disclose information about the nature and purpose of its collaborative arrangements, the rights and obligations under the collaborative arrangements, the accounting policy for collaborative arrangements, and the income statement classification and amounts attributable to transactions arising from the collaborative arrangement between participants for each period an income statement is presented. EITF 07-01 is effective for interim or annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented for all collaborative arrangements existing as of the effective date. While we have not yet completed our analysis, we do not anticipate the implementation of EITF 07-01 to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — An Amendment of SFAS No. 133”. SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including how an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The provisions of SFAS No. 161 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

 

Changes in Cash Flow

 

During fiscal 2008, we generated $338 million of cash from operating activities as compared to $397 million for fiscal 2007. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 was primarily due to (1) an increase in operating expenses paid resulting from an increase in advertising and marketing costs, external development expenses and personnel-related expenses and (2) a $90 million increase in incentive-based cash compensation paid in fiscal 2008 which were earned with respect to fiscal 2007 performance. These decreases were significantly offset by higher net revenue collected during fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.

 

For fiscal 2008, we generated $2,306 million of cash proceeds from maturities and sales of short-term investments and $192 million in proceeds from sales of common stock through our stock-based compensation plans. Our primary use of cash in non-operating activities consisted of (1) $1,739 million used to purchase short-term investments, (2) $607 million for the acquisition of VGH, and (3) $277 million used to purchase marketable equitable securities and other investments.

 

Short-term investments and marketable equity securities

 

Due to our mix of fixed and variable rate securities, our short-term investment portfolio is susceptible to changes in short-term interest rates. As of March 31, 2008, our short-term investments had gross unrealized gains of $9 million, or 1 percent of the total in short-term investments, and gross unrealized losses of less than $1 million, or less than 1 percent of the total in short-term investments. From time to time, we may liquidate some or all of our short-term investments to fund operational needs or other activities, such as capital expenditures, business acquisitions or stock repurchase programs. Depending on which short-term investments we liquidate to fund these activities, we could recognize a portion, or all, of the gross unrealized gains or losses.

 

Marketable equity securities increased to $729 million as of March 31, 2008, from $341 million as of March 31, 2007, primarily due to (1) an increase of $251 million in the fair value of our investment in Ubisoft Entertainment, (2) our $167 million investment in The9, and (3) our $83 million common stock investment in Neowiz. These increases were partially offset by (1) an $81 million impairment recognized on The9 investment and (2) a $28 million impairment recognized on the Neowiz common stock investment. In addition to the Neowiz common stock investment noted above, we made a $27 million preferred stock investment in Neowiz which is classified in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We recognized a $9 million impairment on our Neowiz preferred stock investment.

 

Receivables, net

 

Our gross accounts receivable balances were $544 million and $470 million as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in our accounts receivable balance was primarily due to higher sales volumes during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Reserves for sales returns, pricing allowances and doubtful accounts increased in absolute dollars from $214 million as of March 31, 2007 to $238 million as of March 31, 2008. As a percentage of trailing nine month net revenue, reserves decreased from 8 percent as of March 31, 2007, to 7 percent as of March 31, 2008. We believe these reserves are adequate based on historical experience and our current estimate of potential returns, pricing allowances and doubtful accounts.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories increased to $168 million as of March 31, 2008 from $62 million as of March 31, 2007, primarily as a result of (1) $64 million in Rock Band inventory, of which approximately $43 million was in-transit as of March 31, 2008, and (2) the overall growth of our business.

Other current assets

 

Other current assets increased to $290 million as of March 31, 2008, from $219 million as of March 31, 2007, primarily due to the reclassification as an asset held for sale of our facility in Chertsey, England from property and equipment, net, to other current assets.

 

Other assets

 

Other assets increased to $157 million as of March 31, 2008, from $96 million as of March 31, 2007, primarily due to (1) $19 million higher prepaid royalties, (2) higher other investments of $15 million substantially resulting from our purchase of Neowiz preferred stock, and (3) $13 million of prepaid taxes reclassified from current assets.

 

Accounts payable

 

Accounts payable increased to $229 million as of March 31, 2008, from $180 million as of March 31, 2007, primarily due to higher inventory purchases related to Rock Band.

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

Our accrued and other liabilities decreased to $683 million as of March 31, 2008 from $814 million as of March 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to (1) $273 million of current income taxes accrued being reclassified to non-current tax obligations as a result of our adoption of FIN No. 48 (see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), and (2) a decrease of $32 million in accrued incentive-based compensation. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $106 million in royalties payable primarily due to Rock Band.

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

Our net deferred income tax asset position increased by $197 million as of March 31, 2008 as compared to March 31, 2007 primarily due to increases of (1) $76 million in deferred taxes related to current year tax provision, (2) $53 million in deferred taxes related to our acquisition of VGH, (3) $43 million in deferred tax assets related to our adoption of FIN No. 48 and current year activities, and (4) $25 million in deferred tax assets related to stock-based compensation.

 

Financial Condition

 

We believe that cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, marketable equity securities, cash generated from operations and available financing facilities will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months, including working capital requirements, capital expenditures and, potentially, future acquisitions or strategic investments. We may choose at any time to raise additional capital to strengthen our financial position, facilitate expansion, pursue strategic acquisitions and investments or to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. There can be no assurance, however, that such additional capital will be available to us on favorable terms, if at all, or that it will not result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders.

 

On March 13, 2008, we commenced an unsolicited $26.00 per share cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Take-Two”), for a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion. On April 18, 2008, we adjusted the purchase price in the cash tender offer to $25.74 per share following the approval by Take-Two stockholders of amendments to Take-Two’s Incentive Stock Plan, which would permit the issuance of additional shares of restricted stock to ZelnickMedia Corporation pursuant to its management agreement with Take-Two. The total aggregate purchase price for Take-Two did not change as a result of the adjustment to the per share purchase price in the tender offer. On May 9, 2008, we received a commitment from certain financial institutions to provide us with up to $1.0 billion of senior unsecured term loan financing at any time until January 9, 2009, to be used to provide a portion of the funds for the offer and/or merger. We will be required to repay any funds we borrow under the term loan

facility, plus accrued interest, on the earlier of (a) 364 days from the date on which we initially borrow the funds and (b) August 9, 2009. On May 19, 2008, we extended the expiration date of the tender offer until June 16, 2008. We intend to pay for the Take-Two shares and related transaction fees and expenses with internally available cash and borrowings under the term loan facility or other financing sources, which may be available to us in the future.

 

The loan financing arrangements supporting our Redwood City headquarters leases with Keybank National Association, described in the “Off-Balance Sheet Commitments” section below, are scheduled to expire in July 2009. At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease and the related financing arrangement. Upon expiration of the leases, we may purchase the facilities for $247 million, or arrange for a sale of the facilities to a third party. In the event of a sale to a third party, if the sale price is less than $247 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the difference between the actual sale price and $247 million, up to maximum of $222 million, subject to certain provisions of the leases.

 

As of March 31, 2008, approximately $1,357 million of our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and marketable equity securities that was generated from operations was domiciled in foreign tax jurisdictions. While we have no plans to repatriate these funds to the United States in the short term, if we choose to do so, we would accrue and pay additional taxes on any portion of the repatriation where no United States income tax had been previously provided.

 

We have a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the SEC. This shelf registration statement, which includes a base prospectus, allows us at any time to offer any combination of securities described in the prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total amount of $2 billion. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying the base prospectus, we would use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered pursuant to the shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes, including for working capital, financing capital expenditures, research and development, marketing and distribution efforts and, if opportunities arise, for acquisitions or strategic alliances. Pending such uses, we may invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing securities. In addition, we may conduct concurrent or other financings at any time.

 

Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity could be affected by various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those related to customer demand and acceptance of our products on new platforms and new versions of our products on existing platforms, our ability to collect our accounts receivable as they become due, successfully achieving our product release schedules and attaining our forecasted sales objectives, the impact of acquisitions and other strategic transactions in which we may engage, the impact of competition, economic conditions in the United States and abroad, the seasonal and cyclical nature of our business and operating results, risks of product returns and the other risks described in the “Risk Factors” section, included in Part I, Item 1A of this report.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

Development, Celebrity, League and Content Licenses: Payments and Commitments

 

The products we produce in our studios are designed and created by our employee designers, artists, software programmers and by non-employee software developers (“independent artists” or “third-party developers”). We typically advance development funds to the independent artists and third-party developers during development of our games, usually in installment payments made upon the completion of specified development milestones. Contractually, these payments are generally considered advances against subsequent royalties on the sales of the products. These terms are set forth in written agreements entered into with the independent artists and third-party developers.

 

In addition, we have certain celebrity, league and content license contracts that contain minimum guarantee payments and marketing commitments that may not be dependent on any deliverables. Celebrities and organizations with whom we have contracts include: FIFA, FIFPRO Foundation, UEFA and FAPL (Football Association Premier League Limited) (professional soccer); NASCAR (stock car racing); National Basketball Association (professional basketball); PGA TOUR and Tiger Woods (professional golf); National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association (professional hockey); Warner Bros. (Harry Potter and Batman); New

Line Productions and Saul Zaentz Company (The Lord of the Rings); Red Bear Inc. (John Madden); National Football League Properties and PLAYERS Inc. (professional football); Collegiate Licensing Company (collegiate football and basketball); Viacom Consumer Products (The Godfather); ESPN (content in EA SPORTS^tm games); Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising (The Simpsons); and Hasbro, Inc. (a wide array of Hasbro intellectual properties). These developer and content license commitments represent the sum of (1) the cash payments due under non-royalty-bearing licenses and services agreements, and (2) the minimum guaranteed payments and advances against royalties due under royalty-bearing licenses and services agreements, the majority of which are conditional upon performance by the counterparty. These minimum guarantee payments and any related marketing commitments are included in the table below.

 

The following table summarizes our minimum contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of March 31, 2008, and the effect we expect them to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in millions):

 

 

 

 

The amounts represented in the table above reflect our minimal cash obligations for the respective fiscal years, but do not necessarily represent the periods in which they will be expensed in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In addition to what is included in the table above, as discussed in Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we have adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48. As of March 31, 2008, we had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits and an accrual for the payment of related interest totaling $360 million, of which approximately $41 million is offset by prior cash deposits to tax authorities for issues pending resolution. For the remaining liability, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of when cash settlement with a taxing authority will occur.

 

Related Person Transaction

 

Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer of Electronic Arts, John Riccitiello was a Founder and Managing Director of Elevation Partners, L.P., and also served as Chief Executive Officer of VGH, which we acquired in

January 2008. At the time of the acquisition, Mr. Riccitiello held an indirect financial interest in VGH resulting from his interest in the entity that controlled Elevation Partners, L.P. and his interest in a limited partner of Elevation Partners, L.P. Elevation Partners, L.P. was a significant stockholder of VGH. As a result of the acquisition, Mr. Riccitiello’s financial returns related to these interests, including returns of deemed capital contributions, have been $2.4 million to date (some of which Mr. Riccitiello could be required to return depending on the performance of the Elevation entities), and could be up to an additional $1.6 million plus any interest or other amounts earned thereon. This amount could be reduced, however, by a variety of factors, including investment losses of Elevation, if any, as well as certain expenses of Elevation that could offset partnership profits. Upon his separation from Elevation Partners, L.P., Mr. Riccitiello ceased to have any further control or influence over these factors.

 

From the commencement of negotiations with VGH, at the direction of EA’s Board of Directors, EA’s Audit Committee engaged directly with EA management (independently from Mr. Riccitiello) to analyze and consider the potential benefits, risks and material terms of the acquisition. EA’s Board of Directors approved the acquisition after reviewing with EA’s management and members of the Audit Committee the terms of the acquisition and the potential benefits and risks thereof, as well as Mr. Riccitiello’s personal financial interest in VGH and the acquisition. Mr. Riccitiello recused himself from the Board of Directors meeting during the Board’s deliberation of the acquisition and he did not vote on the acquisition.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS

 

We lease certain of our current facilities, furniture and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. We are required to pay property taxes, insurance and normal maintenance costs for certain of these facilities and will be required to pay any increases over the base year of these expenses on the remainder of our facilities.

 

In February 1995, we entered into a build-to-suit lease (“Phase One Lease”) with a third-party lessor for our headquarters facilities in Redwood City, California (“Phase One Facilities”). The Phase One Facilities comprise a total of approximately 350,000 square feet and provide space for sales, marketing, administration and research and development functions. In July 2001, the lessor refinanced the Phase One Lease with Keybank National Association through July 2006. The Phase One Lease expires in January 2039, subject to early termination in the event the underlying financing between the lessor and its lenders is not extended. Subject to certain terms and conditions, we may purchase the Phase One Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase One Facilities to a third party.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Phase One Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase One Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $132 million. In the event of a sale to a third party, if the sale price is less than $132 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the difference between the actual sale price and $132 million, up to a maximum of $117 million, subject to certain provisions of the Phase One Lease, as amended.

 

On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended its loan financing underlying the Phase One Lease with its lenders through July 2007, and on May 14, 2007, the lenders extended this financing again for an additional year through July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the lenders extended the financing for another year through July 2009. At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease and the related financing arrangement. We account for the Phase One Lease arrangement as an operating lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”, as amended.

 

In December 2000, we entered into a second build-to-suit lease (“Phase Two Lease”) with Keybank National Association for a five and one-half year term beginning in December 2000 to expand our Redwood City, California headquarters facilities and develop adjacent property (“Phase Two Facilities”). Construction of the Phase Two Facilities was completed in June 2002. The Phase Two Facilities comprise a total of approximately 310,000 square feet and provide space for sales, marketing, administration and research and development functions. Subject to certain terms and conditions, we may purchase the Phase Two Facilities or arrange for the sale of the Phase Two Facilities to a third party.

Pursuant to the terms of the Phase Two Lease, we have an option to purchase the Phase Two Facilities at any time for a purchase price of $115 million. In the event of a sale to a third party, if the sale price is less than $115 million, we will be obligated to reimburse the difference between the actual sale price and $115 million, up to a maximum of $105 million, subject to certain provisions of the Phase Two Lease, as amended.

 

On May 26, 2006, the lessor extended the Phase Two Lease through July 2009 subject to early termination in the event the underlying loan financing between the lessor and its lenders is not extended. Concurrently with the extension of the lease, the lessor extended the loan financing underlying the Phase Two Lease with its lenders through July 2007. On May 14, 2007, the lenders extended this financing again for an additional year through July 2008. On April 14, 2008, the lenders extended the financing for another year through July 2009. At any time prior to the expiration of the financing in July 2009, we may re-negotiate the lease and the related financing arrangement. We account for the Phase Two Lease arrangement as an operating lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, as amended.

 

We believe that, as of March 31, 2008, the estimated fair values of both properties under these operating leases exceeded their respective guaranteed residual values.

 

The two lease agreements with Keybank National Association described above require us to maintain certain financial covenants as shown below, all of which we were in compliance with as of March 31, 2008.