Electronic Arts expects Asia online gaming boost

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc (ERTS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) expects online gaming to contribute up to three-fifths of its Asian revenue in five years, versus 10 to 15 percent this year, a senior executive said on Wednesday.

Asia, which accounted for just 5 percent of Electronic Arts' $1.13 billion in net revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, is expected to expand to make up 15 to 20 percent of the company's total turnover by 2012, said Chris Thompson, EA's Vice President for Asia.

"This year, the online business for Asia is going to represent somewhere between 10 to 15 percent of our business," he told Reuters in an interview.

"I would see, five years from now, that the online portion of our business could be representing somewhere plus or minus around 60 pct of our business."

"By 2012, I would say it's going to be somewhere between 15 and 20 percent," he said, referring to Asia.

California-based Electronic Arts, which publishes blockbuster games such as "The Sims" and "Need For Speed," is battling Activision Inc (ATVI.O: Quote, Profile, Research) for the title of world's biggest video game maker.

(Reporting by Sophie Taylor; Editing by Edwin Chan)