EA: Digital Sales Will Overtake Retail in 2011

EA boss John Riccitiello has predicted that digital game sales will surpass physical retail in 2011 - "no question" about it. It will mark a quick shift in focus to the online space over traditional brick and mortar stores.

"At the end of [2011], the digital business is bigger than the packaged goods business, full stop," the exec told Industry Gamers with some heavy degree of certainty. "I think that we’ll find ways to even sell our packaged goods content in chunks and in pieces and subscriptions and micro-transactions."

Riccitiello doesn't believe that any one source, outlet or format will particularly win out just yet. When it comes to offering free-to-play games with microtransactions or selling complete games for a particular price, the EA boss said it will be some time before consumers decide what they prefer.

Finally, a "dirty little secret," as Riccitiello calls it. "Our highest average revenue per user are free-to-play games among paying users," he explained. "You think about that and say, 'how can a free game be the game they pay the most for?' We have people who are giving us $5,000 in a month to play FIFA Ultimate Team. And it’s free."

Blimey, that is a dirty little secret. You filthy man, you. What do you reckon readers, is Riccitiello right?