EA Opens Up Shop in Russia

At an event planned later today in Moscow, EA will host members of the government, industry and media to outline plans for bringing the best and latest innovations in interactive entertainment to Russia. Later this year, two of EA's most popular franchises among Russian consumers, Need for Speed and FIFA Football, will launch in fully localized Russian versions for the PS3 and the Xbox 360, adding to the company's existing portfolio of games localized in Russian for the PC.

"Russia represents a significant opportunity for the games industry," said Peter Laughton, EA Vice President and General Manager of Central and Eastern Europe. "This is a very dynamic marketplace, with a world class retail environment and consumers who have the intellect and appetite for interactive entertainment. We're looking forward to bringing tailored offerings to Russian consumers that incorporate local language, music, and celebrities into some of our most popular titles".

The Russian video game market is estimated at $250 million today, and is expected to more than double in the next three to five years. An increasing number of gaming consoles, PCs and game-enabled mobile phones will encourage the trend, along with compelling games content and a vibrant retail environment.

"EA is dedicated to bringing our unique brand of interactive entertainment to global consumers," said Jens Uwe Intat, Senior Vice President of European Sales and Distribution for EA. "Our increased focus on Russia is a testament to the vitality of its consumer market, as well as the growing position of video games in the overall entertainment mix. Our goal is to ensure that Russian consumers get the best gaming experiences and an increasingly large selection of interactive entertainment choices".

Source: WP