EA digital revenue trumps physical, drives company onward

Electronic Arts has released their Q1 2014 financial update, detailing the source of the colossal publisher’s money-hose.

Most notably, EA reports that digital revenue has increased by 17% year-over-year to $378 million, which accounted for 76% of the Q1 revenue.

The company also said that the gross margin was up 64% for the quarter, up 2% over the prior year.

Total net revenue for the quarter was $495 million (non-GAAP), up from the $491 million from the previous year.

Meanwhile, post-tax, post-operating expense profit for Q1 of fiscal 2014 was $222 million, up 10% from the $201 million the year before.

EA attributed some of the results to the continued strong sales of Battlefield 3 and FIFA 2013 in the quarter, along with some other highlights:

The Simpsons: Tapped Out recorded its highest revenue quarter since launching in August 2012;
EA’s mobile and handheld digital revenue generated $103 million* in the quarter, a 30% year-over-year increase in digital net revenue;
Real Racing 3, the number 1 racing title on iOS, has generated more than 45-million downloads, and has averaged over 2 million daily active users since launching in March;
The Battlefield 3 Premium community continues to grow with over 4 million members to date.
FIFA 13 digital net revenue topped $70 million* in the quarter, a 92% increase versus FIFA 12 in Q1 FY 2013.