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EA's biggest retail partner last quarter? Apple

EA's biggest retail partner last quarter? Apple

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For the first time ever, Electronic Arts (EA), the world's third-largest gaming company, gained more revenue through Apple than any other single partner. All-told, the company's mobile and tablet revenue hit $90 million last quarter, representing 18 percent of its overall takings. Digital revenue in general grew to $378 million, meaning less than a quarter of EA's $495 total revenue came from traditional sales. The company highlighted mobile game The Simpsons: Tapped Out as a top performer.

EA has invested heavily in developing mobile games. The company bought the American developer PopCap, most famous for its Bejeweled and Plants vs. Zombies franchises, back in 2011 for $750 million. "It’s not an experiment," EA's Frank Gibeau tells VentureBeat, "it’s a full commitment — we burned the ships and marched inland." In the coming quarters, the publisher is banking on FIFA 14, Ultima Forever, Tetris Blitz, and the long-awaited sequel Plants vs. Zombies 2 to continue its mobile and digital growth.