EA has detailed a broader relationship with Disney than was previously understood when the deal was announced in May 2013. We knew that the arrangement gave EA permission to create games on all platforms in the “most popular” genres. Now it seems, EA is doing more.
On the Q2 FY15 earnings call today, EA said that it will be also dipping into social and mobile titles with the Star Wars license. "Disney is looking for us to help support a broad effort of bringing back the Star Wars franchise across mobile, social, tablet, online, console. Across all venues," said EA chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen. According to the original press release, Disney would retain rights to social games and other Star Wars experiences. "Disney will retain certain rights to develop new titles within the mobile, social, tablet and online game categories," said the original release.
Disney, too, has pushed social and mobile games in the Star Wars universe. The studio may have pulled the plug on NimbleBit’s Tiny Death Star and Star Wars Assault Team, but that was reportedly in service of support for Star Wars Commander and other “priority titles.”
Disney also pulled the plug on Star Wars: Attack Squadron before the game even left beta. We’re following up with EA to get some clarity around if this is a change or just a reframing of the original information.
Our Take
Given Disney’s stumbles with the Star Wars license, it wouldn’t be out of the question to hand more of the responsibility to EA. EA’s been successful with Plants vs. Zombies 2, The Simpson’s Tapped Out, and other free-to-play mobile games. If EA had the Star Wars license for those types of games, chances are the revenues would flow.