E3 2012: EA Readying 3 to 5 New IP for Next-Gen

According to EA Labels president Frank Gibeau, Electronic Arts is planning between three and five new IP for the next console cycle.

“In the new cycle you’re going to see a lot of new IP from Electronic Arts,” he told CVG. “The introduction of new hardware from the big three is going to allow us to reembark on a bunch of new IPs, because it’s the better time to do it, because you can really explore new ideas and do different things.”

“I can tell you right now there’s between three and five new IPs that we’re working on that we’re thinking about for the next-gen. Some of them might come to market, some of them might not.”

Gibeau did admit that trying out new franchises was a risky move. This generation, EA gambled on new titles like Dead Space and Mirror’s Edge.

“In a market this massive, launching new IPs is very risky and it’s a big investment to make these games. So it’s a natural thing to see in this point in the cycle a little bit more emphasis on the knowns, but in the new cycle you’re going to see a lot of new IP from Electronic Arts,” he added.

“You might get really good press for introducing a new IP, but to sell a couple of million units to break even on it at this point in the cycle… discretion’s the better part of valour, to hold it a little bit so you get a whole new market refresh.”