Topic: EA Takes in Another Developer

[WindyMan]

Add Digital Illusions to the "soon to be renamed to EA-something" list.  (Can you believe the same company developed Battlefield 1942 and Shrek: Extra Large?)

EA Issues Tender Offer for Outstanding Shares in Swedish Developer, Digital Illusions

Board of Directors of Digital Illusions Recommends the Offer Which Would Accelerate Readiness for Game Console Technology Transition

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. & STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2004-Electronic Arts Inc. today announced a tender offer for all outstanding shares of the Swedish game developer, Digital Illusions CE AB. The offer is scheduled to close on December 27, 2004. Electronic Arts (EA) currently owns approximately 19 percent of DICE's outstanding shares.

Digital Illusions' Board of Directors unanimously recommends to the DICE shareholders that they accept the EA offer. Joining EA will accelerate DICE's transition to development for new platforms, including the next generation consoles expected in 2006-2007.

EA is the world's leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment with the largest studio operation and most extensive network of development tools and libraries. As a fully integrated part of EA, DICE will have access to EA resources, tools and libraries.

"The game industry is entering a very challenging period of technology transition," said DICE's Chairman of the Board Torsten Larsson. "Making DICE a full partner with EA will strengthen DICE's ability to navigate the transition to the next generation of technology."

"At EA, we see this as an opportunity to accelerate the growth of a great studio team," said Rory Armes, General Manager of EA European Studios. "In the next five years, we hope to introduce new franchises and double the number of people working at this studio."

"This is a great opportunity for our company," said DICE's CEO Patrick Soderlund. "DICE will receive added resources, technology tools and expertise for meeting the challenges of the platform transition."

DICE and EA have had a close working relationship since 2002 when EA began publishing and distributing DICE games. In 2003 EA invested in DICE, acquiring roughly 19 percent of DICE's shares and the companies concurrently entered into a 15-year distribution agreement. To date, the partnership has produced many critical and commercial successes including Battlefield 1942, Battlefield: The Road to Rome and Battlefield Vietnam.

[Shift Key]

Takes in? A More suitable title is "EA Consumes Another Developer, Plans for Pillaging and Plundering World on Track"

[Hostile Creation]

I suppose it's like N-Space making Mary Kate and Ashley games, but now making Geist, which looks deliciously awesome.
Oh, and damn EA to hell.

[nitsu niflheim]

EA needs to stop buying companies.  They could save alot of money if they just came up with their own ideas and went from there.  They are bad for business.  Seeing as they are perfectly happy with shoveling out nothing but sequels, and they have said as much.  They are bad for originality and creativity.

[joshnickerson]

Next thing you know, they'll announce they're coming out with their own console...

Oh wait. That was the 3DO...

[SgtShiversBen]

I forgot that they came out with that....even though it was Panasonic that developed it.  But as nitsu said, they really do need to stop buying them.  They ruined the Command & Conquer franchise to hell, the BF series is already taking a turn for the worst. (trying to sell something that was good already).  Making Madden the worst name in sports gaming (IMO) and then making monkies fall to their deaths!! WHAT'S NEXT!!?

[KDR_11k]

From what I understood they didn't eat DICE yet but they're working on it. All the other shareholders want this to stop.

[Djunknown]

There seem to be two conspiracies I believe in: That the gaming media, gaming shops, and mainstream media want Nintendo to go away into nothingness, and that EA wants to become the next Microsoft. Thankfully, EA hasn't jumped ship on the 'Cube, so thank heaven for small favors.

On the other hand, isn't it possible for a conglomerate to get TOO big? EA's taking some heat from a class action lawsuit from employees that didn't get overtime (I believe Gamespot has more on that story.). Maybe they're starting to get too big for themselves. *Looks at the Roman Empire*

Dumb question: Wasn't Battlefield Vietnam considered a flop? Or am I thinking Shell Shock 'nam '67?  

[Tuxedo.Bond]

According to Gmaerankings.com, BF:V got a total of 83.8(good score) and Shell Shock got a 52.1.(kinda crappy)