EA enjoys positive sales over Thanksgiving, announces further price cuts

Following a slow month for retail sales in November, Electronic Arts CFO Warren Jensen has reported a positive Thanksgiving weekend - but warned of further software price cuts before the end of the year.

Speaking at a technology conference webcast, Jensen claimed that the US launch of Microsoft's Xbox 360 console has helped to boost software sales, and that EA will hold a 30 per cent market share of Xbox 360 games by the end of the year.

The company shipped five sports titles for the launch of the new console, with a further three games scheduled for release in the coming weeks. EA also has more than 35 next-generation games in development for both Xbox 360 and Sony's forthcoming PS3.

The publishing giant recently announced a series of cuts in the suggested retail price of a selection of software titles, including NBA Live 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects, SSX on Tour and Madden 06.

Analysts at Banc of America Securities attributed the cuts to a combination of poor market conditions, increased competition in the sports genre and generally poor sales for selected titles. Whilst no specific titles were mentioned, Jensen suggested that further cuts on selected titles may follow in the coming weeks, though new releases -pecifically on the next-generation machines - could still carry a USD 50 price tag.