Profits Burnout at Electronic Arts

Video game sales are at an all-time high but the world's largest independent publisher of them has reported a third-quarter loss, reports the AP. Electronic Arts says the loss is down to restructuring and accounting changes. Revenue was up 17%, but the company saw its share of the market slip in Europe and North America and could face a difficult 2008.

"Losing share is just not acceptable," said Electronic Arts' chief executive. Delays to expected hits Battlefield: Bad Company and Mercenaries 2: World in Flames are likely to result in losses next quarter as well, but analysts think the firm's strong line-up will keep it ahead of rivals later in the year. (More Electronic Arts stories.)