EA

The U.S. has approved the first permit to resume deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico since the BP oil spill a year ago. The Noble Energy project, 70 miles southeast of Venice, La., is slated to be deeper than the blown out BP well.

Electronic Arts says its fiscal third-quarter net loss widened as revenue fell, but adjusted results surpassed Wall Street's expectations -- and an optimistic outlook and stock buyback plan helped push its shares higher.

Activision Blizzard has added video-game competitor Electronic Arts to its $400 million countersuit against two former executives of "Call of Duty" creator Infinity Ward, claiming that EA tried to lure the executives away while they were still under contract with Activision.

Stores sold 4% less video-game equipment -- including hardware, software and accessories -- in October compared to a year ago, according to research firm NPD Group. While players are spending more on the games themselves, they aren't shelling out for new consoles: Sales of those systems declined significantly.

Electronic Arts' Web version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour launches the same week the tainted superstar returns to the links for the Masters Tournament. So far, the beta version has attracted a new generation of gamers: the over-40 crowd.

Amid a flurry of chatter about Tiger Woods' expected comeback, one of his prime sponsors, Nike, remained conspicuously silent on the subject during its earnings call Wednesday.

Apple introduced its new iPad tablet computer in San Francisco, adding a capable new device to its mobile lineup and striking a competitive blow in the mobile data market through a new deal with AT&T. It will cost between $500 and $830 depending on the model, and will be available in the U.S. in 60 days.