Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES We estimate our annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly period, and we record the tax effect of certain discrete items, which are unusual or occur infrequently, in the interim period in which they occur, including changes in judgment about deferred tax valuation allowances. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year, jurisdictions with a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized, and jurisdictions where we are unable to estimate an annual effective tax rate are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter depending on the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement amount and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax losses and tax credit carry forwards. We record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when it is considered more likely than not that all or a portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making this determination, we are required to give significant weight to evidence that can be objectively verified. It is generally difficult to conclude that a valuation allowance is not needed when there is significant negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years. Forecasts of future taxable income are considered to be less objective than past results, particularly in light of the economic environment. Therefore, cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment. Based on the assumptions and requirements noted above, we have recorded a valuation allowance against most of our U.S. deferred tax assets. In addition, we expect to provide a valuation allowance on future U.S. tax benefits until we can sustain a level of profitability or until other significant positive evidence arises that suggest that these benefits are more likely than not to be realized. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, we recorded approximately $3 million and $58 million, respectively, of additional net deferred tax liabilities related to the PopCap and KlickNation acquisitions. These additional deferred tax liabilities create a new source of taxable income, thereby requiring us to release a portion of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance with a related reduction in income tax expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 of approximately $3 million and $58 million, respectively. The provision for income taxes reported for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 is based on our projected annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2013, and also includes certain discrete tax benefits recorded during the period. Our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 was a tax expense of 36.4 percent and 17.8 percent, respectively, as compared to a tax expense of 6.2 percent and a tax benefit of 5.5 percent, respectively, for the same periods of fiscal 2012. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 differs from the statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily due to the U.S. losses for which no benefit is recognized, the nontaxable change in the estimated fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and non-U.S. losses with a reduced or zero tax benefit. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 differs from the statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily due to the utilization of U.S. deferred tax assets which were subject to a valuation allowance, a reduction in the U.S. valuation allowance related to the PopCap acquisition, and non-U.S. profits subject to a reduced or zero tax rate. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 differs from the same period in fiscal year 2012 primarily due to greater tax benefits recorded in fiscal year 2012 related to the reduction of the U.S. valuation allowance for the PopCap acquisition. During the three months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a net increase of $5 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits. The total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012 is $288 million, of which approximately $46 million is offset by prior cash deposits to tax authorities for issues pending resolution. A portion of our unrecognized tax benefits will affect our effective tax rate if they are recognized upon favorable resolution of the uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2012, if recognized, approximately $106 million of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect our effective tax rate and approximately $170 million would result in adjustments to deferred tax assets with corresponding adjustments to the valuation allowance. During the three months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a net increase in taxes of $1 million for accrued interest and penalties related to tax positions taken on our tax returns. As of December 31, 2012, the combined amount of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions included in income tax obligations on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was approximately $24 million. The IRS has completed its examination of our federal income tax returns through fiscal year 2008. As of December 31, 2012, the IRS had proposed certain adjustments to our tax returns. The effects of these adjustments have been considered in estimating our future obligations for unrecognized tax benefits and are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. Some of these proposed adjustments are pending resolution by the Appeals division of the IRS. Furthermore, the IRS is currently examining our returns for fiscal years 2009 through 2011. We are also currently under income tax examination in Canada for fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and in France for fiscal years 2006 through 2007. We remain subject to income tax examination for several other jurisdictions including Canada for fiscal years after 2003, in France for fiscal years after 2008, in Germany for fiscal years after 2007, in the United Kingdom for fiscal years after 2009, and in Switzerland for fiscal years after 2007. The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year. Although potential resolution of uncertain tax positions involve multiple tax periods and jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that a reduction of up to $84 million of the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months, some of which, depending on the nature of the settlement or expiration of statutes of limitations, may affect our income tax provision (benefit) and therefore benefit the resulting effective tax rate. The actual amount could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements.

INCOME TAXES

We estimate our annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly period, and we record the tax effect of certain discrete items, which are unusual or occur infrequently, in the interim period in which they occur, including changes in judgment about deferred tax valuation allowances. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year, jurisdictions with a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized, and jurisdictions where we are unable to estimate an annual effective tax rate are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter depending on the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement amount and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax losses and tax credit carry forwards. We record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when it is considered more likely than not that all or a portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making this determination, we are required to give significant weight to evidence that can be objectively verified. It is generally difficult to conclude that a valuation allowance is not needed when there is significant negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years. Forecasts of future taxable income are considered to be less objective than past results, particularly in light of the economic environment. Therefore, cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment. Based on the assumptions and requirements noted above, we have recorded a valuation allowance against most of our U.S. deferred tax assets. In addition, we expect to provide a valuation allowance on future U.S. tax benefits until we can sustain a level of profitability or until other significant positive evidence arises that suggest that these benefits are more likely than not to be realized.

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, we recorded approximately $3 million and $58 million, respectively, of additional net deferred tax liabilities related to the PopCap and KlickNation acquisitions. These additional deferred tax liabilities create a new source of taxable income, thereby requiring us to release a portion of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance with a related reduction in income tax expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 of approximately $3 million and $58 million, respectively.

The provision for income taxes reported for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 is based on our projected annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2013, and also includes certain discrete tax benefits recorded during the period. Our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 was a tax expense of 36.4 percent and 17.8 percent, respectively, as compared to a tax expense of 6.2 percent and a tax benefit of 5.5 percent, respectively, for the same periods of fiscal 2012. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 differs from the statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily due to the U.S. losses for which no benefit is recognized, the nontaxable change in the estimated fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and non-U.S. losses with a reduced or zero tax benefit. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 differs from the statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily due to the utilization of U.S. deferred tax assets which were subject to a valuation allowance, a reduction in the U.S. valuation allowance related to the PopCap acquisition, and non-U.S. profits subject to a reduced or zero tax rate. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 differs from the same period in fiscal year 2012 primarily due to greater tax benefits recorded in fiscal year 2012 related to the reduction of the U.S. valuation allowance for the PopCap acquisition.

During the three months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a net increase of $5 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits. The total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012 is $288 million, of which approximately $46 million is offset by prior cash deposits to tax authorities for issues pending resolution. A portion of our unrecognized tax benefits will affect our effective tax rate if they are recognized upon favorable resolution of the uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2012, if recognized, approximately $106 million of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect our effective tax rate and approximately $170 million would result in adjustments to deferred tax assets with corresponding adjustments to the valuation allowance.

During the three months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a net increase in taxes of $1 million for accrued interest and penalties related to tax positions taken on our tax returns. As of December 31, 2012, the combined amount of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions included in income tax obligations on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was approximately $24 million.

The IRS has completed its examination of our federal income tax returns through fiscal year 2008. As of December 31, 2012, the IRS had proposed certain adjustments to our tax returns. The effects of these adjustments have been considered in estimating our future obligations for unrecognized tax benefits and are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. Some of these proposed adjustments are pending resolution by the Appeals division of the IRS. Furthermore, the IRS is currently examining our returns for fiscal years 2009 through 2011.

We are also currently under income tax examination in Canada for fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and in France for fiscal years 2006 through 2007. We remain subject to income tax examination for several other jurisdictions including Canada for fiscal years after 2003, in France for fiscal years after 2008, in Germany for fiscal years after 2007, in the United Kingdom for fiscal years after 2009, and in Switzerland for fiscal years after 2007.

The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year. Although potential resolution of uncertain tax positions involve multiple tax periods and jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that a reduction of up to $84 million of the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months, some of which, depending on the nature of the settlement or expiration of statutes of limitations, may affect our income tax provision (benefit) and therefore benefit the resulting effective tax rate. The actual amount could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements.