Chicago (IL) – There’s a new rumor spreading in the blogosphere, suggesting the next huge takeover in a time when some companies can be acquired for pocket change. FastMoney's Guy Adami claims that he has heard that Apple may be buying game publisher Electronic Arts (EA). There aren’t any other sources indicating such a move, but given the fact that Apple sits on a $29 billion pile of iPod and iPhone cash, it would be almost silly for Apple not to go shopping these days.
 
In a story published by TheStreet.com, David Tong writes that there is “chatter” that Apple is eyeing EA as a takeover target. There isn’t much more to this story at this time, but we are sure that even just an idea Apple may soon be playing in the video game market may raise some speculation what that may mean for iTunes in terms of content, what it will mean for the iPhone and iPod Touch as handheld gaming platforms, and it surely wills park a new round of discussions around the topic that Apple is working on a game-console-type of device, especially since the company recently picked up several people with lots of experience in the video game industry.

We leave that one up to you to speculate what Apple may be building in the background.

Electronic Arts posted revenue of $1.65 billion in the most recent quarter, and reported a net loss of $641 million. CEO John Riccitello noted that the holiday quarter was disappointing and decided to reduce its workforce by 11% to about 1100 people as a result. EA currently has a market capitalization of just under $6.9 billion, which could mean that Apple could pay for the company out of its savings account, even if we count in that usual premium on top of the market cap. According to its most recent financial filing, Apple has about $29 billion available in cash.  

I doubt

May 05, 2009 11:02     

Why would apple acqire EA,when EA already support their devices?
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Never going to happen

May 05, 2009 11:07     

What is Apple going to do with EA? EA's bread and butter is Windows and xBox. So Apple is going to be happy being a slave to M$. I don't think so. Even if the was to work (somehow) I see big anti-trust issues when your forced to buy a Mac to play the Sims for example. I'm sorry but this is just hype and rumor.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Any way I read that, it's bad news for the consumer...

May 05, 2009 11:08     

Given EA's penchant for oppressive DRM, it would seem like a match made in Hell. And given the wonderful example provided by Microsoft and the buying of game developers, this would only serve to chill innovation, and would likely drive any of their worthwhile IP's into the ground (or worse, stuff them into a "platform specific" format). As much as I may dislike many of EA's business decisions, keeping them squarely in the game business, and not under the umbrella of another hardware/software company, is in every gamer's self interest.

TSU report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

EA needs to be cleaned up, not sure Apple can do it.

May 05, 2009 11:49     

EA hasn't put out any good stuff lately, anyway. It needs an overhaul to get it back to creating new IP instead of vigorously watering down the market with sequels. (I couldn't care less about sports games, either. If you need the absolute latest version of a sports game every year, you are as dumb as the people who lease cars year after year.)
mikeasdfasd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

That would be terrible for PC

May 05, 2009 12:35     

That might screw the PC gaming in the long run, and totally screw MS and XBOX, but it seems weird.
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Closed Platform Computer Gaming

May 05, 2009 12:42     

I have always wanted the Mac platform to become a viable computer gaming platform and if this news is true it could become exactly that. There are so many PC games being published by EA right now, I can't even imagine what that would be like on a closed system where you know everyone is using similar hardware and maybe has the option of two video card upgrades.
Aaron report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

iBox

May 05, 2009 13:19     

I want me an iBox!!!!! ...sigh...
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mathematics

May 05, 2009 13:57     

jerks jerks still equals jerks. EA already is a rubbish company that cares more about making money quickly with crappy license games than giving the buyers decent support and good games. as for apple, they're penny squeezers who try to suck every last cent out of your wallet. it's a match made in hell.
JohnnyricoMC report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

EA would go well with Twitter

May 05, 2009 14:03     

The other silly rumor going around today is that Apple will buy Twitter for $700 million. I guess all that $29 billion is cash is giving lots of people ideas on how to spend it. Note I did not say spend it wisely.
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re: Closed Platform Computer Gaming

May 05, 2009 15:43     

That hurts gaming. Why? Because Apple doesn't offer anything close to something like GTX 295 for example, heck you can't even run SLI or crossfire. So game makers will just dumb down the graphics. On an OPEN system like M$/Linux developers can write for the latest and greatest hardware (heck even beyond) and let the user control his's/her's experience. Plus we already have "Closed Platform Computer Gaming" Their called the Wii, PS3, and xBox. We don't really need a 4th. Apple as far as gamers/game developers go equals overpriced and underpowered hardware.

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Please no!

May 05, 2009 19:21     

Keep your filthy hands off Apple!
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Sweet Irony

May 05, 2009 19:48     

Imagne that, EA getten taken over. You can just smell the irony.
irony report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Shame on you

May 05, 2009 23:11     

and I quote "There aren’t any other sources indicating such a move" what kind of junk are you posting here? This is so far from news you should be ahshamed
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