- Last week, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) stock rose by a 4.15 per cent, reflecting a positive market response to the recent launch of its highly anticipated RPG, ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’
- The game has garnered significant acclaim. However, a stark divide has emerged between user scores on Metacritic and other platforms
- On the financial front, EA’s stock performance has been robust this year, with a year-to-date increase of 15.42 per cent and a notable 18.93 per cent rise compared to the same time last year
- Electronic Arts stock (NASDAQ:EA) last traded at US$157.91
Last week, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) stock rose by a 4.15 per cent, reflecting a positive market response to the recent launch of its highly anticipated single-player RPG, ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’.
Developed in collaboration with BioWare, this latest installment in the “Dragon Age” series promises to deliver the immersive storytelling and fantasy worldbuilding that fans have come to enjoy.
A new adventure ….
In ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’, players step into the shoes of Rook, a fully customizable protagonist tasked with thwarting Solas, the Dread Wolf, who seeks to tear down the Veil separating Thedas from the demon realm. As his ritual spirals out of control, two ancient adversaries are unleashed, setting the stage for a gripping adventure across diverse landscapes—from bustling cities to lush tropics and deep forests. The game emphasizes character-driven narratives, allowing players to explore meticulously crafted biomes and engage in fluid, customizable combat that caters to various playstyles.
“After years of careful planning, countless hours of expert work, and innumerable design decisions, ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’ is ready,” the game’s executive producer and BioWare’s Vice President and General Manager, Gary McKay, said in a news release. “We are so proud of this achievement and excited to see its impact on our worldwide community of fans, without whom none of this would be possible. We hope you have just as much fun in your own Rook adventure as we did creating it.”
A review disparity
The game has garnered significant acclaim, with outlets like IGN and GamesRadar+ praising it as a “true return to RPG form for BioWare,” awarding it scores of 9/10 and 4.5/5, respectively. In fact, quite a few review sites called it “a return to form”. Like … a lot of them. However, the launch has not been without controversy. A stark divide has emerged between user scores on Metacritic and other platforms, with Metacritic users rating the game at a mere 3.8/10, while Steam users rated it 73 per cent “Mostly Positive,” and PlayStation and Xbox users gave it 4.34/5 and 4/5 stars, respectively. Critics have noted that Metacritic scores are often used as protest metrics, allowing users to voice dissatisfaction without needing to own the game.
In response to the backlash, a Metacritic spokesperson stated, “We take online trust and safety very seriously… Our team reviews each and every report of abuse… and if violations occur, the reviews are removed.”
EA stock performance
On the financial front, EA’s stock performance has been robust this year, with a year-to-date increase of 15.42 per cent and a notable 18.93 per cent rise compared to the same time last year. Institutional investors continue to play a significant role in EA’s stock dynamics. Recently, Summit Global Investments reduced its stake in EA by 56.2 per cent, selling 11,179 shares, while other firms like Duality Advisers LP and Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. have increased their holdings.
As of November 6, insider Laura Miele sold 2,500 shares at an average price of $158.03, totalling $395,075. With institutional investors owning 90.23 per cent of the company’s stock, EA remains a focal point for both gamers and investors alike.
For your consideration
Available now for PlayStation 5 (also enhanced for PS5 Pro), Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam (Steam Deck Verified), and the Epic Games Store, “Dragon Age: The Veilguard” can also be found at the EA app.
With headquarters in Redwood City, California, and studios all over the world, Electronic Arts is a digital interactive entertainment company that develops, markets, publishes and delivers games, content and services that can be played by consumers on a range of platforms such as game consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets.
Electronic Arts stock (NASDAQ:EA) last traded at US$157.91.
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(Top photo: EA)
