EXHIBIT 5.01

(Includes Exhibit 23.01)

November 5, 2004

Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporation Finance

450 5^th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20549

Re: Electronic Arts Inc. (“EA”)

Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies/Gentlemen:

I am an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of California and I am Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of EA. I have examined EA’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by EA on or about November 5, 2004 in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 136,524 shares of Common Stock that may be sold by EA to eligible employees pursuant to the Criterion Software Group Limited Approved Share Option Scheme, as assumed by EA (the “Option Scheme”).

As General Counsel for EA, I have examined the proceedings taken by EA in connection with the Option Scheme and the shares being registered hereby.

It is my opinion that the 136,524 shares of Common Stock that may be issued and sold by EA pursuant to the Option Scheme, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in the Prospectus associated with the Registration Statement and the Option Scheme, as applicable, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to all references to this opinion, if any, in the Registration Statement and amendments thereto.

Very truly yours,

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

/s/ Stephen G. Bené

Stephen G. Bené

Senior Vice President, General Counsel

and Secretary