Piper Jaffray Comments On EA's Release Of Madden NFL 12

Piper Jaffray has published a research report on Electronic Arts ERTS in anticipation of the launch of Madden NFL 12 scheduled for tomorrow, August 30, 2011. In the report, Piper Jaffray writes "Madden NFL 12 launches tomorrow (8/30) and, we estimate, will represent 5-10% of FY12 revenue. We are expecting flat y/y unit growth (4.1m units worldwide/2.6m NPD units) during the Sept qtr, driven by 3 assumptions: 1) we expect +5% y/y growth in X360 and PS3 Madden SKU's to offset standard-def Madden SKU's (Wii, PS2, PSP) -41% y/y decline, 2) we expect consistent metacritic score in the mid 80's, and 3) we believe mgmt guidance is overly conservative and does not yet factor in a full NFL season." Piper Jaffray maintains its Overweight rating on Electronic Arts, which closed Friday at $21.50.