PopCap revenue grows 30%, EA boasts

“EA’s global studio and publishing network will help PopCap rapidly expand their business to more digital devices, more countries, and more channels,” EA CEO John Riccitiello said at the time of the acquisition. So, has it worked?

February 1, 2012 3:00 PM1

One of the biggest gaming acquisitions of 2011 had to be Electronic Arts’ purchase of PopCap. The studio is best known for its work on Bejeweled and Plants vs. Zombies, and was purchased with a whopping $750 million price tag.

“EA’s global studio and publishing network will help PopCap rapidly expand their business to more digital devices, more countries, and more channels,” EA CEO John Riccitiello said at the time of the acquisition. So, has it worked?

EA would probably say “yes.” According to their latest financial report, PopCap’s revenue has grown 30% year over year. “PopCap’s great studio talent and powerful IP add to EA’s momentum and accelerate our drive towards a $1 billion digital business,” Riccitiello said.

EA’s digital revenue has increased 40% to $274 million this quarter, versus $195 million the same period last year. In addition to seeing growth in PopCap, the company announced that it is the “number one game publisher in the Apple App Store in December,” with The Sims: FreePlay reaching the number one position on the list of top-grossing iPad apps.