Electronic Arts and 1C Company announce an agreement to create new channel for distribution of EA games. According to the contract signed 1C receives the rights to distribute EA titles for PC and consoles in Russia and CIS countries. The collaboration of these two companies is firstly aimed to consolidate and advance the largest markets (after Russia) - Ukraine and Kazakhstan. 1C Company already has offices in the region and has leading market share in these countries.
Another important stage in the cooperation of Electronic Arts and 1C Company is the distribution of EA games for PC in economy jewel packs in Russia. For the first time ever part of new games released by world's leading publisher will be distributed in economy packs (CD jewel case). Electronic Arts plans to release three new jewel packed games for PC - Crysis Warhead, C&C Red Alert 3, NHL 09. These games will be released in autumn 2008.
"Choice of 1C as our strategic partner is not a random decision. Nowadays 1C is a key player on the distribution market of PC games in jewels. Due to its professionalism this company gained high business reputation and we are interested in long-term and mutually profitable relations", - comments Peter Laughton, EA Vice President and General Manager of Central and Eastern Europe.
"We release jewel games for the first time especially for Russian market. Owing to 1C's optimized distribution system our cooperation will become the next step in expanding EA games on regional markets of Russia and CIS", - says Murad Shapiev, Sales Director for Electronic Arts Russia.
"The agreement signed is an unprecedented event for Russian market. World's leading publisher will unite its strength with the largest Russian software company. We greet Electronic Arts' initiative to distribute games in economy packs", - notes Nikolay Baryshnikov, International Sales Director for 1C Company. "1C became one of the first companies to introduce that scheme in Russian industry. I am sure that the experience gained along with our distribution network which is the biggest in Russia and CIS countries will contribute to effective collaboration and further growth of Russian game market."
