Electronic Arts appoints EA Sports head Andrew Wilson its new CEO

Former Executive Vice President of EA Sports Andrew Wilson has taken over as the publisher's CEO, EA announced today. Wilson delivered a brief message to employees, shareholders, and customers in a message posted to EA's news blog.

Wilson took over EA Sports in August 2011 and has been with the company for 11 years. He will take over the position left vacant by previous CEO John Riccitiello's departure in March.

"I envision EA as the World’s Greatest Games Company," Wilson said. "This is not about what we are aiming for or what we will become. Rather, it is about an unfaltering commitment to what we will be every day. This is an attitude that must drive our culture as one team."

"I also believe EA’s strategy is sound. Our focus on our talent, our brands and our platform together with our investment in next-generation consoles, mobile and PC free-to-play, as part of our ongoing transition to digital, is right. But we have plenty of work ahead to ensure our collective success."

Wilson takes the reins in a difficult period. Riccitiello left the company after it failed to meet yearly financial expectations, though new consoles arriving in November will likely give the start of Wilson's tenure a significant boost.

Connor Sheridan

I got a BA in journalism from Central Michigan University - though the best education I received there was from CM Life, its student-run newspaper. Long before that, I started pursuing my degree in video games by bugging my older brother to let me play Zelda on the Super Nintendo. I've previously been a news intern for GameSpot, a news writer for CVG, and now I'm a staff writer here at GamesRadar.