Not all of Probst’s bets have paid off. Last March EA wrote off $72 million in losses at its EA.com subsidiary. The Sims Online, released to much fanfare at the end of 2002, has failed to catch on. And its latest James Bond game will miss the holiday season. Yet profits are up, EA’s dominance remains unchallenged, and 2004 already looks as if it will be the company’s strongest year thus far. Probst has locked up the videogame rights for Warner Brothers’ upcoming “Superman” and “Batman” movies. Next year The Sims 2 will take that popular franchise into 3-D for the first time. And a more elaborate “Lord of the Rings” game will hit store shelves next fall. Right now, Larry Probst has the one ring that rules the videogame industry. And he’s not about to give it up without a fight.
