EA Announces Agreement to be Aqcuired

[Quivorir]

This has been building over the last few days but is now official. They've come for our sport and now they're coming for our games.

EA Announces Agreement to be Acquired by PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55 Billion

Accelerates EA’s Strategic Vision to Advance the Future of Entertainment Stockholders to Receive $210 Per Share in Cash Representing 25% Premium to Unaffected Share Price Transaction Represents Largest All-Cash Sponsor Take-Private Investment in History Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) (“EA” or...

news.ea.com

 

[dwwaino]

When I first scrolled past an article yesterday about this I assumed it was click bait and kept scrolling. I guess anybody is obtainable for the right price. Sounds like it won't have any immediate impact on the actual operations of EA but I wonder how things might change turning into a private company. For example would we have had the original vision of Anthem (BioWare dramas aside) if it wasn't butchered and rushed to satisfy shareholders. Not that I'm suggesting for a second that it means EA turn all altruistic, but with a massive reserve of capital and no shareholders to bow to then you can really do whatever you want.

 

[dexter_]

If someone told you in 2020 that Zenimax, Activision Blizzard and EA would all be acquired within 5 years you would have said they're crazy

I wonder how long before Ubisoft and T2 get gobbled up

 

[dwwaino]

If someone told you in 2020 that Zenimax, Activision Blizzard and EA would all be acquired within 5 years you would have said they're crazy

I wonder how long before Ubisoft and T2 get gobbled up

As in the remainder of Ubisoft? Because Tencent already piled a heap of cash in to buy a large stake. Take Two shares are probably about to surge so that will be them off the table for a while but those Sony rumours always keep coming back. It wouldn't surprise me to see Netease become more aggressive in the western markets and start to muscle in as a growing competitor to Tencent too.

 

[mickelboy182]

Saudi, Kushner, private equity. ****ing gross.

 

[StFly]

As in the remainder of Ubisoft? Because Tencent already piled a heap of cash in to buy a large stake. Take Two shares are probably about to surge so that will be them off the table for a while but those Sony rumours always keep coming back. It wouldn't surprise me to see Netease become more aggressive in the western markets and start to muscle in as a growing competitor to Tencent too.

From my understanding on it, 49% old and 25% new for Tencent in Ubi, was a 10% but it was a shake hands and 1/4 in that split.

Also, Netease is unlikely, pretty sure they've already said "too damned expensive, I'm out" to western instances they have already.

 

[Del80659]

does this mean EA are going to make fun games again?

 

[Xtreme]

does this mean EA are going to make fun games again?

+1 if new owners are Road Rash fans!!

 

[Long Live HFC]

Keeping an open mind but am f’ing glad it’s not Valve. At this point, could EA get much worse re consumer satisfaction? Christ i remember the days when “EA” on a box meant quality inside. Bought a heap of those titles. I expect a random private equity company to go full ******, but let’s see.

 

[Upgrayedd]

does this mean EA are going to make fun games again?

If you like murdering journalists then yes!

 

[StFly]

If you like murdering journalists then yes!

Pretty much. I'd assume no changes except bad ones to gamers and maybe shareholders will go "this is a great decision, well done".

 

[Xtreme]

does this mean EA are going to make fun games again?

Yes put FUT into the bin and focus on manager mode

 

[dav3]

Keeping an open mind but am f’ing glad it’s not Valve. At this point, could EA get much worse re consumer satisfaction? Christ i remember the days when “EA” on a box meant quality inside. Bought a heap of those titles. I expect a random private equity company to go full ******, but let’s see.

inb4 "Trump: The Game"

 

[Ed_Gein]

Had to look through all the games EA have been involved with and I can't say the buyout would affect me too much for better or worse. Only Dead Space really.