In what year was the video game company Electronic Arts founded?

The story behind the answer

Electronic Arts was founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins, a former Apple executive who envisioned game creators as “software artists.” Early EA even packaged games like music albums, featuring developers on the covers—unusual at the time. This 1982 launch placed EA just before the 1983 video game crash; by focusing on home computer titles (like M.U.L.E., Archon, and Pinball Construction Set) rather than consoles, EA weathered the downturn and later grew into a powerhouse with franchises like Madden NFL and The Sims.

Memory tip: “Eighty-two, EA debut.” Both start with “E,” and 82 was the year the “artists” ethos gave Electronic Arts its name and identity.