Jeff Burton - The founding story of Electronic Arts (EA)
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Summary
In this episode, Jeff Burton the co-founder of Electronic Arts shares his remarkable journey from working at Atari to building one of the most iconic gaming companies in the world. He reveals the origin of EA Sports legendary tagline - "It's in the game", details EA’s evolution from a publishing house to a game development powerhouse, and reflects on the early challenges of gathering player feedback.
Beyond gaming, he talks about life after EA, the importance of mentoring the next generation of founders, and the core values that drive successful entrepreneurs. Jeff also talks about his new venture, Day 1 Sports, where they’re revolutionizing the cricket gaming experience, exploring the future of entertainment and the rise of interactive experiences in sports and media.
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
00:00:00 The origin story of Electronic Arts
00:14:16 The evolution of EA Sports
00:20:17 Transitioning from game publishing to game development
00:24:11 Feedback loops in game development
00:27:06 Post EA (book publishing, ticketing company, Italy)
00:38:37 Hollywood & back to the Bay Area (founding UC Berkeley SkyDeck)
00:55:47 The differences between US & Europe
01:00:50 Day1Sports Jeff's new company in the cricket gaming experience
01:21:44 Rapid Fire Questions
01:29:48 Closing remarksTakeaways
Takeaways
- The transition from Atari to founding Electronic Arts was driven by a desire to give credit to game developers.
- EA Sports' tagline 'It's in the game' became a cultural phenomenon, showcasing the power of branding.
- The shift from being a publishing company to developing games was a gradual process influenced by technology advancements.
- Feedback in game development was challenging due to the lack of internet and focus groups were often ineffective.
- After leaving EA, Jeff ventured into various businesses, including a printing company and a ticketing startup.
- Mentoring young entrepreneurs is fulfilling and stems from Jeff's experiences as a parent.
- Maintaining ethical values in business decisions is crucial for long-term success.
- The importance of giving back to the community and supporting other startups is a common ethos among successful entrepreneurs.
- Interactive entertainment is the future, with opportunities for audience engagement in live sports and gaming.
- Failures in business should be viewed as learning experiences that contribute to future success.
About the guest
Albi Zhulali
About the host
Albi Zhulali