Since the beginning of 2022, news headlines surrounding the games industry have been dominated by stories of major acquisitions and sales by some of its biggest fish.
Whether it’s Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard, Sony bringing Bungie on board or Square Enix selling its studios and IP to Embracer Group, the earth-shattering deals haven’t stopped. And now, according to a report by Puck, EA is actively looking to get in on the action.
NBCUniversal, Disney, and Apple, along with others, have all reportedly been considered for a deal, if not outright talked to by EA, but nothing is seemingly imminent as of right now.
EA Reportedly Pursuing Sale or Merger With Larger Company
According to Puck reporter Dylan Byers, while the pursuit of a deal is very much something EA itself is angling for and trying to make happen, it’s also being made possible by “greater interest in the rapidly growing gaming industry” from large media companies like those outlined above.
Though, this isn’t to suggest that EA is seeking just any old deal, with Byers writing that, despite EA’s efforts to secure an acquisition having “grown more emboldened in the wake of the Microsoft-Activision deal”, the publisher still likely wants some specific desires to be met before it pulls the trigger.
According to Puck sources familiar with the talks, Byers writes: “EA is primarily interested in a merger arrangement that would allow (CEO Andrew) Wilson to remain as chief executive of the combined company”.
The report cites a deal with NBCUniversal, one interpretation of which would apparently have seen EA brought together with the media company in a merger, as having gotten the closest to actually happening thus far, with negotiations eventually having collapsed over price.
In a statement to Kotaku regarding the report, EA spokesperson John Reseburg said: “We don’t comment on rumours and speculation relating to M&A”, adding: “We are proud to be operating from a position of strength and growth, with a portfolio of amazing games, built around powerful IP, made by incredibly talented teams, and a network of more than half a billion players. We see a very bright future ahead.”
It remains to be seen whether EA will actually be next on the industry’s ever-growing list of deals and mergers, but, in the meantime, make sure to follow us for more updates as the story develops.
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