EA in the Asian market | EA en el mercado asiático

It seems like EA wants to the best provider of online games in the Asian market. Proof of the company’s interest can now be seen on its purchase of Korea’s J2MSoft. Known for its free-to-play online games which depend on micro-transactions instead of subscriptions services, J2M (through EA) may bring its line of games into the US and other countries. EA has had great success in Korea with EA Sports FIFA Online already . What online entertainment will EA’s J2M provide to everyone outside of that country? It seems like we will be seeing more games to play at EA’s Pogo.com in the near future.

Parece que EA quiere ser el mejor proveedor de juegos por Internet en el mercado asiático. Prueba del interés de la compañía puede ahora verse en su compra de J2MSoft de Korea. Conocido por sus juegos gratis en línea los cuales dependen  de micro-transacciones en vez de servicios de suscripciones, J2M (por medio de EA) tal vez traiga su línea de juegos hacia los Estados Unidos y otros países. EA ya ha tenido un gran éxito en Corea con EA Sports FIFA Online. ¿Qué entretenimiento por Internet proveerá J2M de EA a todos fuera de ese país? Parece que veremos más juegos en Pogo.com de EA en un futuro próximo.

EA Acquires Korean Online Game Developer J2M

SEOUL, South Korea–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced the acquisition of J2MSoft Inc. (J2M), a Korean developer of PC online games. J2M develops free-to-play online games which are monetized through micro-transactions and advertising. Online games created and wholly owned by J2M include RayCity, TAAN, and Debut, and other properties to be announced.

“This is a significant step in EA’s strategic plan for developing and publishing online games in Asia,” said Jon Niermann, President, EA Asia. “J2M is an experienced team of developers and we can’t wait to have them start creating online games based on new properties and powerful EA franchises.”

“Korean developers have created a unique style of online games that is growing in popularity all over Asia,” said J2M Founder and CEO KyungMin Bang. “We are excited that EA is aligning with our vision for online game. Joining EA presents our team with an opportunity to significantly expand our based with players throughout Asia and around the world as well as to be at the forefront of online gaming.”

EA has launched popular online games in Asia including EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online and NBA STREET Online. Other EA titles in development for online play in Asia include Warhammer®: Age of Reckoning®, Need For Speed and Battlefield Heroes. EA SPORTS FIFA Online debuted in Korea in 2006 and is currently among Korea’s top-ten online games. In the months ahead, EA expects to announce other popular franchises in development for online play in Asia.

The acquisition closed on December 2, 2008. Terms of the agreement were not released. While valuations are not yet complete, EA does not expect the acquisition to have a material impact on its financial results in fiscal 2009.