NEW YORK - US VIDEO game publisher Electronic Arts warned on Tuesday that its fiscal 2009 results would be lower than previously forecast because of slower-than-expected sales in North America and Europe.

EA, in a statement and conference call, said it expects net revenue and earnings per share for the fiscal year ending on March 31 to be below the previous guidance.

In October, the publisher of such popular titles as Madden NFL 09, Spore and Warhammer Online said it expected revenue for the year of between US$4.9 billion (S$7.3 billion) and US$5.15 billion, up 33 per cent to 41 per cent.

EA, which reported a net loss of US$310 million during the second quarter, did not provide a new forecast on Tuesday for fiscal 2009.

'While we saw significant improvement in the overall quality of our key products this year, we are disappointed that our holiday slate is not meeting our sales expectations,' EA chief executive John Riccitiello said.

'Given this performance and the uncertain economic environment, we are taking steps to reduce our cost structure and improve the profitability of our business,' he said in a statement.

'While we are cutting costs, we remain committed to investing in great game quality, in new properties and in our direct-to-consumer initiatives,' he said.

'We will be launching several new titles and online games in fiscal 2010.' The Redwood City, California, company announced a series of cost-savings moves in October including cutting about six per cent of its workforce, or 540 jobs.

Chief financial officer Eric Brown indicated on Tuesday that there may be further cuts.

'We expect to reduce the overall operating expense structure of the company,' he said.

The EA executives said the company would release fewer titles in 2010 and include more online features.

Mr Riccitiello said he was 'very pleased' with the release of Spore in September.

'We think Spore has established a strong base for being an ongoing franchise,' he said.

Following the announcement, EA's share price lost 9.25 per cent in after-hours trading, falling to 17.50 dollars.

EA had already lost 11.52 per cent on Wall Street on Tuesday and has shed 61 per cent of its value over the past year. -- AFP