Reality is the Game
Interview with Jens Kosche, Managing Director of Electronic Arts GmbH
The decision about the winning of championships in the major football leagues of the world is made daily millions of times anew - virtually. Among the most successful football simulations in Europe is the EA SPORTS FIFA series. In Germany alone, its market share is 86%. The success of the US manufacturer Electronic Arts, which has been active in Germany since 1993, is no coincidence, as the company has committed itself to a very special philosophy.
"The players are clearly the focus for us. It's not for nothing that we advocate a 'Playercentric Philosophy'. We always first ask how we can satisfy the player," states Jens Kosche, Managing Director of Electronic Arts GmbH based in Cologne.
As one of the flagship products, EA SPORTS FIFA has been convincing the gaming community in Europe for years. For Jens Kosche, however, it's not just about the fun of the game: "Players want an almost perfect illusion, for example, being a part of Bayern Munich. We implement this standard in our games."
To create this perfect illusion of virtual worlds like in 'Battlefield 1' or 'Titanfall', EA relies on large, highly specialized development teams around the world, some of which are based in Cologne, including a dedicated specialist team for video assets.
Games to Download
EA has made a name for itself primarily with console and PC games, but mobile and smartphone games are also now part of its contemporary portfolio. Jens Kosche sees tremendous potential in the latter area: "This is a billion-dollar market. As a games publisher, you need to be active here and place your own games attractively."
Moreover, the CEO has identified a change in behavior regarding the acquisition of games: "Previously, we had the DVD box, but today more and more players only want products available for download. We have adapted to this by launching our digital distribution platform named 'Origin'. Here, for example, we offer subscription models."
Jens Kosche
Managing Director
"You no longer have to buy music physically, you can download it or have flat rates - the same goes for our games."
Jens Kosche
Managing Director
However, Origin is more than just a pure distribution platform: The system enables the online distribution, maintenance, and usage control of games as well as communication between players.
eSports in the Stadium
Jens Kosche is closely following the development of eSports, where virtual sports meet real audiences. "Such an event recently took place in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne. Here, people come into close contact with our games. And for us, it offers the opportunity to build an intense, emotional connection with the players. To me, this is part of the future." He accordingly welcomes the wide discussion on eSports in the public.
Intact Corporate Culture
Not only the players as consumers, but also EA's own employees are a top priority. The corporate culture is intact and sensible, confirms Jens Kosche, who has been working at EA for 14 years: "There are few companies where you go to work in the morning with a smile. We are interested in how we can make our employees happy."
With a functioning team, not only can the path to success be pursued further, but also the challenges of the future can be met. One of these challenges is the ՙVirtual Reality՚ area, the manager is sure: "This market is in its initial phase, but we definitely want to play a leading role in its development."