New CEO at Electronic Arts

Probst says EA has been planning the transition for more than a few months. "We started having earnest discussions in November and finalized it in our February board meeting," he says.

Riccitiello says he has his work cut out. EA's priorities will be the creation of new intellectual property, driving growth in Asia and making more investments in the online mobile segment, he says.

Asia, especially, will be a big challenge for Riccitiello. The company's performance in that region has been disappointing.

Revenue from Asia in the third quarter ended Dec. 31 was $61 million, down $14 million compared with the year before.