Yesterday saw Battlefield 2042 delayed from October 22 to November 19 this year, moving one of the year’s biggest games back by nearly a month. While delays have been common in 2020 and 2021, Battlefield 2042’s delay took many by surprise, including EA’s investors, apparently. However, in a somewhat unexpected twist, EA’s stock has been a bit more erratic than the straight nosedive that some had thought would take place.
While EA is still down 4.14% over this week, the company has seen its stock rally and slump over the past two days, specifically. The trouble began with rumors stating that Battlefield 2042 would be delayed to 2022, which caused the company’s share price to fall from $145.37 per share at market close on September 14 to $137.36 per share at market open on September 15.
The story didn’t stop there, though. EA’s share price rebounded a bit when it formally announced the delay, confirming that Battlefield 2042 would still land this year, and therefore, make it into EA’s next financial report. That seems to have offered some relief to investors, as the share price managed to climb a few percentage points afterward. Now, the company is sitting at a share price of $136.02.
Delays have been hitting the games industry hard of late. Other high-profile games have also announced moves from their previous slots, with Dying Light 2 receiving a significant delay, pushing the game back from December all the way to February 2022. The most commonly cited causes for delays are pandemic related, with work from home disrupting traditional development flows, among other factors.
Ultimately, the shift is to be expected. However, it’s interesting to see exactly how the market reacted to delay rumors then the inevitable delay announcement, as it shows how rumors can have a tangible effect on a company’s fiscal outlook. In an age where misinformation can spread like wildfire, it paints a curious picture for the future. However, that may make companies more transparent in the long run, especially in situations where delays aren’t as bad as they’re rumored to be.
EA’s stock will likely continue to shift as Battlefield 2042 inches closer. A month-long delay isn’t that bad in the grand scheme of things, and it’s well worth it if it makes for a more polished product. Worst case scenario, EA’s stock price takes another tumble until a new game comes along.