Rumors are currently circulating that Amazon has purportedly acquired the publisher Electronic Arts (FIFA 23, Battlefield 2042, Apex Legends, The Sims 4). It is said that Amazon will officially announce the purchase of EA today. MeinMMO explains what is behind this.
Currently, rumors are surfacing that Amazon has allegedly purchased the game publisher Electronic Arts (EA). Following the planned purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft and the purchase of Bungie by Sony, this would be the next billion-dollar deal in the gaming world.
This was reported by the major site “USAToday” citing GLHF.
Electronic Arts has allegedly been looking for buyers for some time
Update on August 26, 2:44 PM: CNBC had stated via Twitter that Amazon would not be making a bid for Electronic Arts. They rely on the American financial journalist and market news analyst David Faber. EA’s stock previously rose due to a report that cited a “rumor.” There is still no confirmation or denial of the rumor from either EA or Amazon.
The publisher has allegedly been looking for possible buyers or an option for a merger for some time. Reports indicate that Apple has also held talks with EA regarding a purchase of the gaming giant, as the online site Puck reported. Disney and Amazon have also reportedly engaged in talks with EA about a potential purchase.
As early as May 2022, there were rumors that Comcast-NBCUniversal wanted to acquire EA. However, it is said that negotiations faltered over price and other issues. EA had stated at the time that they would not further comment on “rumors and speculation regarding mergers and acquisitions.”
We reported on MeinMMO in May 2022 about these rumors:
What are these current rumors? It is allegedly said that Amazon has now purchased Electronic Arts. This news is expected to be announced later today, on August 26. There is still no official confirmation of the purchase. The online site usatoday reports on the acquisition.
What could the purchase mean? The acquisition of EA could mean a lot of potential for Amazon. EA holds rights to major franchises like Mass Effect, Dragon Age, or Dead Space – plus, they have a mega-seller with the “FIFA” series, a current top shooter with Apex Legends, and a struggling but major shooter brand with Battlefield.
Amazon has long invested significant amounts of money in game development and recently released a major MMORPG with New World and brought an MMO to Europe with Lost Ark. Additionally, the retail giant is currently investing heavily in original productions for its video streaming service and would gain access to many exciting brands with the acquisition of EA. Amazon’s current large project for Prime is the new series “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.”
We at MeinMMO have requested a statement from EA regarding the rumors. We will update the article when we know more.
USA Today distances itself from its own article
Update 6:15 PM: The rumor seems to be collapsing now.
- Insider Jason Schreier says: He spoke with five EA developers, and none of them were aware of a potential deal. That doesn’t mean the rumor is false, but EA has at least not informed the employees yet.
- USA Today, which originally published this story, is now distancing itself from its own source: GLHF, a Swedish “gaming/esports outlet” and partner of the site. It claims that GLHF violated “editorial” standards and cited an unverified and unnamed source (via usatoday). All indications of it have now been removed.
