FIFA Outselling PES by 4-1

EA's analysts' call has thrown up more interesting tidbits than the news that Criterion's Need for Speed take will be out next year. For example, according to Chief Operating Officer, John Schappert, "we are outselling Pro Evolution Soccer 4 to 1".

We're not sure if that's global or just in Europe.

More figures came forth including:

"FIFA 10 -- we shipped this game the last week of the quarter in Europe, selling 4.5 million copies. The sell through at retail in Europe is 31% ahead of last year’s FIFA 09 on a comparable period basis.."

and...

"Madden NFL 10 -- we sold 3.9 million copies in the quarter. After a disappointing August that had Madden down 19%, sell through in September grew 8% year-over-year, with more than 60% growth on the PS3 according to NPD. Madden sales are now up 5% year-over-year on the Xbox 360 and PS3 combined."

and...

"Need for Speed SHIFT -- we sold over 2.5 million copies on consoles in the quarter."

All of that sounds wonderful, and Schappert has good news for investors as well, "Our final goal was to aggressively manage cost. We have been successful to date and have recently taken further measures to improve our operating leverage in the future."

So, lots of games sold, cost cutting in place, and only the expense of 1,300 people to make unemployed before Xmas. It's a tough economy.