Updated: 4:14PM PST
Update: It doesn't get more official than this: Microsoft spokesman David Dennis told us, "We have no plans to purchase EA."
Ok. So this is what we in the business call “big news.” And even though it’s still just speculation at this point, it’s still rather stunning. The word floating around New York is that Microsoft is apparently interested in buying mega game publisher Electronic Arts, Reuters reports.
Now, this “unsubstantiated claim” will most likely remain so until for the time being, however EA’s stock saw a 4 percent boost today when word of this potentially industry-shattering deal started to spread; and rightfully so. This deal would be so insanely massive and wide-reaching that I really can’t even begin to wrap my head around it. I mean, EA games as Xbox exclusives? How crazy is that?!
Actually, until these unconfirmed claims get some official support, it’s not worth getting too worked up over. There will be plenty of time for that if this thing actually ends up happening. And given the relationship between Microsoft and EA, specifically on the corporate side (John Schappert, Don Mattrick, Peter Moore), it might not be as unlikely as some might think. I'm currently waiting to hear back from Microsoft and EA, so I'll update if/when I hear anything.
What do you think the implications would be of a Microsoft/EA merger?
Update: An Electronic Arts representative was not available for a comment. A Microsoft representative declined to comment.
Update: We spoke with an Electronic Arts representative who told us, "We do not comment on speculation about our business."
Comments
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kingn8link
This better not be true.
When Microsoft bought Rare, I was devastated. I'm still getting over it. But EA? No. Just no.
Tyri3l
Ok, good news, at least Microsoft is denying it which is a good sign for the industry. Let's just hope it holds true and that M$ will keep its grubby mitts off and this isn't just a smoke screen.
Gamelife1
If this did happen which I don't think it will, it would be a dumb move for EA, yet a smart move for Microsoft. As of right, EA's games sell better on the ps3. So, if this did happen buy some chance I believe we'd still see plenty of multiplatformer games, but a few Xbox 360 exclusives. Overall though, I would see this partnership as a lose for the gaming community. Even Xbox owners, because if this happens sony is just going to counter with some of it's own partnerships and we'll just continue to see a bunch of exclusive an less multiplatformes.
RRODisBack
Much ado about nothing.
PIZZABOY831
YAY no more PS3!!!!!
Raurik
I can't think of anything I'm a fan of from EA other than Skate. Even if it was true I'm not sure if I'd really notice as we've been buying that series on 360 anyways.
DizturbedPanther
Well that just means that the goverment will step in like they did for windows Microsoft is trying to monopilize the consoles like they tried to do on the computers and sorry I dont think that the other console manufactures will stand for it like the makers os other OPs EA should think hard and long before they decide to sell to microsoft and EA becomes an XBOX exclusive
Nightshade386
Wasn't there some rumor going around that EA was gonna build their own console at some point? I'd have to assume that if EA had been seriously considering this that their games would have been exclusive to the console. So it's not like the idea of console exclusivity is a completely foreign idea to them.
mattchew86
1. valve
2. ubisoft
3. activision.
4. ea
5......
cool, now i can add ea to the ever-growing list of companies who ill no longer support. and at the poster who said that sony would have to buy activision, they said earlier this year that they were considering pulling support for all sony systems, so that isn't going to happen. but would it be a smart move on ea's part to put out 360 exclusives, when like a previous poster stated, the format will limit what you can do, and considering that sony's sales have shot up recently thanks to the price cut? stupid move by ea.
Tyri3l
This would suck so much. A great thing about EA is that for many of their games you can play them on whatever you have whether that's a PS3 or 360. Imagine for a second that all future Madden NFL, Rock Band etc. were exclusive to Xbox. I know MS fanboys are cheering but so many people would be pissed. Many people already don't like Microsoft because of debacles like Windows Vista and the corporate monger that Microsoft has a reputation for being. I also have to wonder how much good it would actually do Microsoft to buy EA considering part of EA's success is that they do make their games for every platform seeing millions of sales across multiple systems.
It would fundamentally destroy EA diverse business model and you'd stop seeing portable games from them as well. Essentially if everything was relegated to 360, EA would actually see a huge drop off in sales. For it to work I think things would largely have to stay the same the only big change is that Microsoft could call dibs on games they perceive as big new IPs for the 360 platform. Like if Microsoft had purchased EA a lot sooner and Dead Space had only been on 360. Honestly this whole thing is kind of terrifying and I would hope the FTC wouldn't allow the sale. It's bad enough that EA has a monopoly on the NFL but then that monopoly would be garnered to the Xbox 360 so not only is Madden the only Football game but you can only play it on 360. I hate this idea more and more.
.
GingerKid
If this happens I just think it shows how desperate M$ really is, their console sucks, RROD, no bluray or bluetooth and PS3 is starting to hit its stride with more exclusives. So M$ just throws more money around and buy everything to try and edge everyone else out but still have a crap product. Eventually all games will be on Bluray and all you Xbots will cry all the way to Best Buy when you have to dish out another $400 whenever M$ decides that 360 isn't good enough anymore and builds another console.
aploex
microsoft games suck
ea games rule
kick microsoft out of the equation... there os suck, consles suck and so forth
DEAThHEART
that article itself makes no sense, and the xbots bought it... pfff.
Blue_Vortex
What I'm guessing is that if Microsoft does do this then they'll probably try to get EASports to get a bigger hold on the European market, think about it what games sell very well in Europe, football (Soccer)
PBone
This is a update from Joystiq.com
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter spoke to IndustryGamers "[It makes] no sense at all," he says. "One platform exclusives would likely nullify NFL exclusivity, could kill off all sports and other licenses. EA's value on one platform is probably half its value to a multi-platform buyer (such as a media company)." A handful of other analysts weigh in, pouring even more water on the increasingly unlikely fire. We'll bring you more information as we hear it.
MarcusRawks
I hope they do. Besides Madden, I don't buy EA games. So if it were to happen, I'm sure the NFL would want their product on the Wii and PS3 so EA would lose the exclusivity deal and 2k could get back to what they did best. (Besides Bioshock)
PBone
This is a update from joystiq.
"Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter spoke to IndustryGamers "[It makes] no sense at all," he says. "One platform exclusives would likely nullify NFL exclusivity, could ruin all sports and other licenses. EA's value on one platform is probably half its value to a multi-platform buyer (such as a media company)."
ddc2494
From reading the comments, I can tell that a lot of poster's here are illiterate.. In the title there is a 11 letter word in there. Can anyone tell me what it is?
Hint: It starts with a C, and ends with -onsidering.
packman7777
well microsoft does have the money from all the people paying money to send back their 360s with the rrod
p2ka
sucks ballz
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