Full game downloads are only a small part of EA's online plans. The company recently announced the BioWare MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic and also launched Warhammer Online in recent weeks.
EA CEO John Riccitiello said that the company is investing $150 million in direct-to-consumer models this fiscal year. "In the future we see slower growth in the basic packaged goods business, and higher margins, greater growth and reduced cyclicality with these new direct-to-consumer businesses," he stated.
The firm is also expanding its Asian online business and continuing to provide paid downloadable content.
COO John Pleasants said the online Sims 2 Store was generating $14.50 in micropayments per paying user, while users have purchased 90,000 pieces of content for the latest Tiger Woods game in the course of five weeks.
He added that EA is on track to generate $185 million in online revenue this fiscal year.