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[LordOfChaos]

Apple in talks to buy EA, Disney and Amazon potential suitors- 9to5Mac

Video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) is actively seeking a potential buyer or merger. Apple has reportedly been in talks...

9to5mac.com

Video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) is actively seeking a potential buyer or merger. Apple has reportedly been in talks with the company about buying EA out according to Puck. Disney and Amazon have also been in talks about purchasing the video game company.

The Redwood City-based firm has published hits like Apex Legends, Madden, and The Sims franchise. The idea for a buyout or merger came after Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard for $68 billion earlier this year. Shortly after, Sony purchased Bungie, the studio behind Destiny for $3.6 billion. According to Puck, EA ideally would like a merger so Andrew Wilson can remain CEO of the combined company.

EA’s roots actually go back to Apple. Back in 1982, Apple’s then Director of Strategy and Marketing, Trip Hawkins, left the company to start EA. A buyout wouldn’t be Apple’s first venture into gaming, however. The Cupertino company unveiled its gaming service Apple Arcade back in 2019. Through Apple Arcade, users can play ad-free games on their iOS, macOS, and tvOS devices.EA spokesperson John Reseburg said the company would not comment on any “rumors and speculation relating to M&A.” Reseburg added, “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.”

Apple has not commented on a potential deal with Electronic Arts.

9to5Mac’s Take

I find it hard to think of what a deal between EA and Apple would look like. Puck mentions that EA’s ideal candidate for a merger was Disney, as it reached out in March seeking a “more meaningful relationship.” However, the entertainment company did not pursue those conversations, likely because it’s focused on its building up its Disney+ subscriber base. Additionally, a potential ESPN merger could happen as Disney owns the sports network.

EA seems to be in a hurry to finalize a deal, so we will probably hear more soon. However, I would imagine Apple and EA’s relationship is just “talks” for right now.

As an Apple investor - That cash pile they have is doing nothing but losing purchasing power right now. I would like to see them make big moves into gaming and bringing first class native apple silicon metal ports. The M1 family is a fairly powerful baseline and things will only get better on the hardware front, it's the software part that always has stalled out gaming on the mac.

As a gamer, I have to wonder if they'll play keep away with exclusive titles and if all this industry consolidation is good for us

 

[Swift_Star]

EA has currently nothing that interests me so… don’t care at all.

 

[FStubbs]

http://[URL][URL]https://9to5mac.com/2022/05/23/apple-ea-in-talks/

[/URL][/URL]

As an Apple investor - That cash pile they have is doing nothing but losing purchasing power right now. I would like to see them make big moves into gaming and bringing first class native apple silicon metal ports.

As a gamer, I have to wonder if they'll play keep away with exclusive titles and if all this industry consolidation is good for us

It's Apple. They almost certainly would for most of EA's titles. I could still see them support PC with some of them.

Android would be the primary keep-away target.

 

[AdjudicatorHead]

Apple should definitely use their cash on a nice acquisition but I don’t think EA is the right target.

 

[01011001]

oh god no...

 

[reksveks]

'Been in talks' so might be over or might still be ongoing

I think this acquisition would raise more concerns than the ABK one personally.

 

[Abriael_GN]

This is misreported. Puck's article, which this site cites as the source, said apple HAS talked to EA "In recent years" not that they are in talks now.

Of course, this even assuming that the original article has any validity, which is in doubt since their "sources" appear to have told them basically two entirely different things.

 

[Shubh_C63]

that's one way to enter gaming industry

 

[Captain Toad]

What? You guys not have phones iPhones?

 

[FStubbs]

'Been in talks' so might be over or might still be ongoing

I think this acquisition would raise more concerns than the ABK one personally.

I'd rather Apple own it than MBS or Tencent.

 

[skit_data]

It would certainly bring great value to their customers.

 

[reksveks]

I'd rather Apple own it than MBS or Tencent.

I understand that but Apple has 2 bills basically targeting them and Google in all but name.

They would have to be very careful with their rules.

 

[SlimySnake]

Go Apple!

I hope Sony, MS and Tencent stay away.

 

[Ghost of Caelid]

I don't mind. I seem to be the only person who wants more companies to get into gaming. More content and competition.

 

[Holammer]

All new EA games exclusively on Apple Arcade.
Where games go to die, like Clap Hanz Golf.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

If Apple buys them is FIFA coming back? I doubt Apple gives a shit what it would cost, I'm sure the "prestige" would be worth more to them.

 

[Abriael_GN]

This is misreported. Puck's article, which this site cites as the source, said apple HAS talked to EA "In recent years" not that they are in talks now.

Of course, this even assuming that the original article has any validity, which is in doubt since their "sources" appear to have told them basically two entirely different things.

Don't mind me. Just gonna quote myself since there are quite a few who are missing the point and think this report has any merit.

 

[fermcr]

Only thing interesting from EA are BioWare. I feel sorry for them...

 

[radewagon]

LOL

 

[Varteras]

Don't mind me. Just gonna quote myself since there are quite a few who are missing the point and think this report has any merit.

Not now, Mr. Nelva. We've got corporate acquisition boners in full bloom.

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

This is why Ms started buying stuff... it's due to companies like Apple, Amazon and Google. But honestly EA is...just there for me. I wouldn't care much

 

[qwertz12345]

http://[URL]https://9to5mac.com/2022/05/23/apple-ea-in-talks/

[/URL]

Video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA) is actively seeking a potential buyer or merger. Apple has reportedly been in talks with the company about buying EA out according to Puck. Disney and Amazon have also been in talks about purchasing the video game company.

The Redwood City-based firm has published hits like Apex Legends, Madden, and The Sims franchise. The idea for a buyout or merger came after Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard for $68 billion earlier this year. Shortly after, Sony purchased Bungie, the studio behind Destiny for $3.6 billion. According to Puck, EA ideally would like a merger so Andrew Wilson can remain CEO of the combined company.

EA’s roots actually go back to Apple. Back in 1982, Apple’s then Director of Strategy and Marketing, Trip Hawkins, left the company to start EA. A buyout wouldn’t be Apple’s first venture into gaming, however. The Cupertino company unveiled its gaming service Apple Arcade back in 2019. Through Apple Arcade, users can play ad-free games on their iOS, macOS, and tvOS devices.EA spokesperson John Reseburg said the company would not comment on any “rumors and speculation relating to M&A.” Reseburg added, “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.”

Apple has not commented on a potential deal with Electronic Arts.

9to5Mac’s Take

I find it hard to think of what a deal between EA and Apple would look like. Puck mentions that EA’s ideal candidate for a merger was Disney, as it reached out in March seeking a “more meaningful relationship.” However, the entertainment company did not pursue those conversations, likely because it’s focused on its building up its Disney+ subscriber base. Additionally, a potential ESPN merger could happen as Disney owns the sports network.

EA seems to be in a hurry to finalize a deal, so we will probably hear more soon. However, I would imagine Apple and EA’s relationship is just “talks” for right now.

As an Apple investor - That cash pile they have is doing nothing but losing purchasing power right now. I would like to see them make big moves into gaming and bringing first class native apple silicon metal ports. The M1 family is a fairly powerful baseline and things will only get better on the hardware front, it's the software part that always has stalled out gaming on the mac.

As a gamer, I have to wonder if they'll play keep away with exclusive titles and if all this industry consolidation is good for us

I would love to see Trip Hawkins come back to the industry.

 

[Oddvintagechap]

This is misleading. Apple was in talks.

I say EA fits with ESPN though. Disney can then sell the bloat not related to sports.

 

[Drew1440]

Electronic Apple?

Wonder what this will mean for the sims franchise?

 

[Badlucktroll]

 

[Damigos]

A shitty company being bought by a non-gaming company

 

[Ev1L AuRoN]

Fifa is a big deal in my country, although I hate it, really don't care what happens to EA, I just hope they keep being multiplatform, enough of that consolidation BS.

 

[Tams]

To all of you cheering the even further consolidation of game studios and publishers:

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

It's Apple. They almost certainly would for most of EA's titles.

They won't be able to with most of the licensed titles. The problem with EA is that it is basically either GaaS games like Apex, or licensed titles like FIFA, NFL, F1, WRC. Star Wars is negotiable, but everything else? DICE is run into the ground, Bioware is in heavy decline...I think Sims though have a ports on Mac OS.

I have been advocating for Disney, but alas.

Only thing interesting from EA are BioWare. I feel sorry for them..

No need. They have nothing but name now...

 

[Abriael_GN]

This is misreported. Puck's article, which this site cites as the source, said apple HAS talked to EA "In recent years" not that they are in talks now.

Of course, this even assuming that the original article has any validity, which is in doubt since their "sources" appear to have told them basically two entirely different things.

Lemme try this again.

 

[Spyxos]

Am i understand it right? It is the worst outcome? A non gaming company could buy or merge with ea.

 

[Edgelord79]

I’m fine with this. Dragon Age and Mass Effect died many years ago.

 

[NoLootBoxDev]

From being the killer of multiple IP/Developers to being the one killed

 

[ReBurn]

A shitty company being bought by a non-gaming company

A company that makes more from gaming than the gaming companies is a gaming company.

 

[Jennings]

They deserve each other. I don't use Apple and I won't miss EA one bit.

 

[adamsapple]

Oh god no.

I'd rather Nintendo buys them.

 

[GHG]

Let them have them.

 

[Reallink]

Apple's long rumored and perpetually delayed VR/AR Oculus Quest competitor reportedly refuses to include controllers, opting for Kinect style hand tracking and some kind of ring you wear on your thumb and index finger. Doesn't sound like an executive philosophy that aligns with spending $50+ billion dollars on EA unless they just want to turn them into a mobile shovelware maker.

 

[Chiggs]

Rooting for Apple here. Would love to see them make a real entrance into the console/PC world. Plus, better Mac support is a good thing too.

 

[elliot5]

this is just the Comcast article restructured to focus on Apple because it's an Apple blog.

You make it sound like they're actively talking to EA and pending a deal signature. That's not the case at the moment. They were one of the companies EA reached out to though, with Comcast being the frontrunner that fell through.

 

[MScarpa]

This is terrible.

 

[Rival]

I guess I couldn’t really care less if apple bought EA. I can’t think of the last EA game I even played. Probably Madden 3-4 years ago.

 

[Sleepwalker]

Disney buying them would make sense for them. They get all the sports games and also get studios so they can develop their own game related IPs instead of licensing them out to other publishers like squeenix or Sony. Of course it would be horrible for gamers tho lmao. EA gets to develop all the star wars and marvel related games.

 

[MiguelItUp]

I want to care because of the few EA IPs I love. Though they haven't delivered in several years.

But this is gross to me. I've personally never cared for Apple, and yeah, gaming for them is most certainly not the most... solidified?

I can't help but feel like another company would move forward with this before Apple. Though I could be wrong.

 

[Kokoloko85]

As long as they keep it 3rd party Im good with Apple buying it. Might encourage them to make there devices more gamer friendly.
As long as MS dont buy them tbh. I dont want Playstation to waste there money on it either. Or Nintendo lol

 

[worldwithpyramids]

I’m fine with this if it means we get a new SimCity. It’s not gonna happen as it is now so might as well let someone else do it.

 

[RainblowDash]

Id rather they buy Nintendo.

 

[Ozriel]

It's Apple. They almost certainly would for most of EA's titles. I could still see them support PC with some of them.

Android would be the primary keep-away target.

Not even Apple would be that crazy.

Apex, EA FC (hehe), Madden and Battlefield will remain multiplat even in that scenario.

 

[Kerotan]

Hopefully. Way better then MS buying another. I'd take Amazon also.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

Nobody is out bidding them if they want EA bad enough.