[RUMOR] Microsoft To Buy Electronic Arts?

[Telefrog]

We've seen this rumor before, but it's really picking up steam now.

"There's talk that Microsoft might be interested in acquiring Electronic Arts. It's unsubstantiated chatter, but it's out there," said Frederic Ruffy, options strategist at WhatsTrading.com in New York.

A London-based trader also cited similar talk as making rounds in Europe. Microsoft shares were up 0.9 percent at $26 on Nasdaq.

Not much more right now, other than rumors and speculation.

Source: Reuters

[Gorvi]

That would be like buying the US console market.

And it would guarantee I'd buy 360 games, I need to play the next Dead Space.

Because someone has to say it, Capcom is next!

EDIT: Overall, though, this would more likely than not be quite bad for the industry.

[Wraith]

I think we know what a deal like this would mean.

[Virtual Pariah]

I thought it was MS buying Capcom?

It would make sense for MS to buy EA.
It would lock in the sports franchises and give them an opportunity to move the Zune HD into a more viable position re: APP store.

Therefore it'll never happen...

[AgtFox]

Probably be smart for MS to go after them before Disney tries to acquire them.

THQ rumors are swirling again as well. EA could buy them and then overtake the UFC license...heh

[violent]

If Microsoft buys EA they will own the majority of the sports market. Well on the way to the one console future*.

*Wii don't count.

[Grifter]

If this were to happen it would turn the console games industry on its ear and most definitely put us one step closer to a one console world.

[Telefrog]

The sad part would be everyone at EA that develops for the PC getting the axe...

[MalReynolds]

MS own like the biggest game producing company ... Jesus the world would end!

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by Telefrog

The sad part would be everyone at EA that develops for the PC getting the axe...

I wouldn't say that...if anything EA would strengthen Microsoft's Games for Windows section with stuff like C&C.

[DoctorFinger]

Wow. MS owning EA. I can't quite wrap my head around that. Would that be the biggest single piece of gaming news of the last 20 years?

[rein]

Capcom? EA? Who is next in line for the MS rumor mill? Activision?

[Telefrog]

Originally Posted by AgtFox

I wouldn't say that...if anything EA would strengthen Microsoft's Games for Windows section with stuff like C&C.

I don't know about that. You couldv'e said the same thing about Ensemble. Look what happened to them.

The C&C franchise has been pretty quickly migrating over to the console side of things. Check out Red Alert Commander's Challenge.

[Hemalin]

Originally Posted by AgtFox

I wouldn't say that...if anything EA would strengthen Microsoft's Games for Windows section with stuff like C&C.

I'm sure Ensemble thought the same thing.

[DoctorFinger]

Activision would not cost that much more right now than EA would, and most of the same suitors would be after them.

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

Wow. MS owning EA. I can't quite wrap my head around that. Would that be the biggest single piece of gaming news of the last 20 years?

Possibly ever. A console maker buying the second biggest 3rd party publisher (used to be first) is huge news. Easily trumps Disney buying Marvel. Microsoft certainly has plenty of cash laying around to buy EA (market cap of ~$6.5 billion versus Micrsoft's almost $232 billion).

[Grifter]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

Activision would not cost that much more right now than EA would, and most of the same suitors would be after them.

But MS buying Activision, while still a pretty big event, would have no where near the impact on the industry as MS buying EA.

Strangely enough I have absolutely no problem with this, maybe curiosity has gotten the better of me but I kind of hope MS does buy EA just because I'd like to see what would happen.

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by Hemalin

I'm sure Ensemble thought the same thing.

You guys forget Ensemble morphed into 3 other companies, one of which is wholly owned by Microsoft (I forget which one). Microsoft certainly isn't going to drop the Sims series which is primarily a PC endeavor.

[Hemalin]

The way Microsoft has been going the last few years, it doesn't seem like they are too interested in doing much in-house stuff anymore. They'd more likely just get exclusive publishing rights than actually buy everything.

[AgtFox]

Originally Posted by Grifter

But MS buying Activision, while still a pretty big event, would have no where near the impact on the industry as MS buying EA.

Strangely enough I have absolutely no problem with this, maybe curiosity has gotten the better of me but I kind of hope MS does buy EA just because I'd like to see what would happen.

How could MS buying Activision not have the bigger impact? Activision is the #1 3rd party publisher now, they took it away from EA last year. For size point, the Activision takeover would be a bigger hit since their market cap is almost $16 billion. That's mostly because of the merger. Pre-merger Activision itself was probably about the same market cap as EA.