Banking on competition as a significant motivation for people to play videogames, EA (Electronic Arts) announced the launch of its Competitive Gaming Division (CGD). The California-based videogames company also named its Chief Operating Officer Peter Moore as Executive VP and Chief Competition Officer that will lead the CGD.
EA tasks its Competitive Gaming Division to enable global eSports competitions for its biggest game franchises, such as Battlefield, Madden NFL and FIFA. Moreover, the CGD will function with three core objectives - competition, community and entertainment. Hence, aside from developing grand live events, the division is also in-charge of connecting with the game communities and creating engaging competitive experiences.
"We're already very engaged with our development teams around the world to make sure our games have got modes that lend themselves very well to competitive gaming, built-in from the get-go," Peter Moore tells IGN in an interview. "Not as something that's put in as an add-on mode or a last-minute afterthought."
As mentioned, Moore will head the CGD, which will collaborate with RA's development studios, as well as the marketing and publishing divisions. Note that prior to EA, Moore worked as the President and COO of SEGA of America and as a Corporate VP of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, in which he's tasked with overseeing Xbox and Xbox 360 game.
I know the amazing passion that players globally have for competition & @ea games.I can't wait to get started!! https://t.co/t8GqpfDXka
- Peter Moore (@petermooreEA) December 10, 2015
"[Peter Moore] was an early pioneer in championing competitive gaming programs, such as the FIFA Interactive World Cup and the EA SPORTS Challenge Series, and Peter's personal passions for the player experience, sports and competition, make him a tremendous leader for this new division," EA CEO Andrew Wilson comments on Moore's qualifications.
Moore will be joined by 14-year EA veteran Todd Sitrin who will sit as CGD's Senior VP and General Manager. Sitrin is tasked with leading the division's strategy and operations.
EA is looking to centralize competitive gaming events that involve its titles. Currently, ESL One is hosting a worldwide tournament for Battlefield 4 while competitions for FIFA happen on the FIFA Interactive World Cup. EA also brought back the Madden NFL Live Challenge and shared that titles under its banner will be played on numerous regional tournaments throughout the globe.
