List of acquisitions by Electronic Arts

EA headquarters in Redwood City, California

Electronic Arts is a company that is an American developer, marketer, publisher, and distributor of computer and video games, that was founded in 1982. Products of the company include EA Sports franchises, Sims, and other titles on both handheld and home gaming consoles.[1]

Electronic Arts often acquires new companies to expand or add to new product lines. For instance, EA chairman and chief executive officer Larry Probst said after the acquisition of JAMDAT Mobile that "we intend to build a leading global position in the [...] business of providing games on mobile phones".[2] EA followed through with this later, making the company into EA Mobile, and allowing people to purchase and download content produced by them directly onto their phones.[1] After the acquisition of Origin Systems, some staff in that company claimed that Electronic Arts initially gave them more resources, but allowed little latitude if employees made a mistake, and in some cases no longer trusted them, and even worked against them.[3][4] EA has shut down entire companies or the studios thereof after acquiring them, including the studio DICE Canada, Origin Systems, EA Chicago (NuFX), and Pandemic Studios.[5][6][7][8] Gaming blogger Brian Crecente has said that fears that EA doesn't care about the quality of their products after they are acquired are debatable.[9]

As of February 2015, Electronic Arts' largest acquisition is the purchase of VG Holding Corp., the then-owner of video game developers Bioware and Pandemic Studios, for $775 million. Of the 39 companies acquired by EA, 20 are based in the U.S., five in the United Kingdom, six in Continental Europe, and eight elsewhere. Some of these companies or their respective studios, however, are now defunct. Of the six companies which EA purchased a stake in, two remaining companies are based in the U.S., while three other U.S. companies are defunct. After acquiring a 19.9% stake in France-based Ubisoft in 2004, EA sold a remaining 14.8% stake in it in 2010.[10][11]

Each acquisition listed is for the entire company, unless otherwise noted. The acquisition date listed is the date of the agreement between Electronic Arts (EA) and the subject of the acquisition. Unless otherwise noted, the value of each acquisition is listed in U.S. dollars, because EA is headquartered in the U.S. If the value of the acquisition is not listed, then it is undisclosed. If the EA service that is derived from the acquired company is known, then it is also listed.

Key

General
† Defunct
* Electronic Arts sold stake

Acquisitions

Date Company Business Country Value (USD) Derived Studios References
1987 Batteries Included† Hardware and software developer  CAN — — [12][13]
July 1, 1991 Distinctive Software Inc. Video game developer  CAN — EA Canada [14]
September 10, 1992 Origin Systems† Science fiction space sim & Fantasy role-playing game developer  USA $35,000,000 — [15]
November 14, 1994 DROsoft Software distributor  ESP — DROsoft [16]
February 6, 1995 Bullfrog Productions† Video game developer  UK — EA UK [17][18]
March 8, 1995 Kingsoft GmbH Software distributor  GER — Kingsoft GmbH [19]
January 29, 1996 Manley & Associates Video game developer  USA — EA Seattle [20]
June 4, 1997 Maxis† Video game developer and publisher  USA $125,000,000 Maxis Emeryville† & others†[note 1] [21][22][23]
April 2, 1998 Tiburon Entertainment Video game developer  USA — EA Tiburon [24]
April 8, 1998 Vision Software Software distributor  RSA — Vision Software [25]
July 28, 1998 ABC Software Software distributor   CH — ABC Software [26]
August 17, 1998 Westwood Studios; other studios of Virgin Interactive Entertainment Computer and video game developers  USA $122,500,000 EA Pacific†[note 2] [27][28]
September 8, 1999 PlayNation Developer of online entertainment  USA — PlayNation [29]
November 22, 1999 Kesmai Video game developer and online game publisher  USA — Kesmai [30]
February 24, 2000 DreamWorks Interactive Video game developer  USA — Danger Close Games† [31][32]
February 28, 2001 Pogo.com Family games website  USA — Pogo.com [33]
June 11, 2002 Black Box Games Sports and racing video game developer  CAN — Quicklime Games† [34][35][36]
October 16, 2003 Studio 33 Racing video game developer  UK — EA Northwest [37]
February 13, 2004 NuFX Sports video game developer  USA — EA Chicago† [8][38]
July 28, 2004 Criterion Software Video game developer  UK — Criterion Software [39]
July 27, 2005 Hypnotix Video game developer  USA — — [40]
December 8, 2005 JAMDAT Mobile Mobile entertainment developer  USA $680,000,000 EA Mobile [2]
July 20, 2006 Mythic Entertainment Computer game developer  USA — EA Mythic† [41][42]
August 23, 2006 Phenomic Game Development Real-time strategy game developer  GER — EA Phenomic† [43][44]
October 2, 2006 Digital Illusions CE (DICE) Video game developer  SWE — EA DICE [45]
November 30, 2006 Headgate Studios Video game developer  USA — EA Salt Lake [46]
February 12, 2007 SingShot Media Social network service  USA — Sims on Stage [47][48]
October 5, 2007 Super Computer International Computer software developer  USA — — [49]
October 11, 2007 VG Holding Corp. Holding company of video game developers  USA $775,000,000 BioWare Pandemic Studios† [50]
May 21, 2008 Hands-On Mobile Mobile video game developer and publisher  ROK — EA Mobile Korea [51]
June 3, 2008 ThreeSF Social network service  USA — — [52]
December 2, 2008 J2MSoft Computer game developer  ROK — — [53]
Q1 Fiscal 2010 J2Play Social network service  CAN — — [54]
November 9, 2009 Playfish† Social network game developer  UK $400,000,000 — [55][56][57]
October 20, 2010 Chillingo Mobile video game publisher  UK $200,000,000 — [58]
May 3, 2011 Mobile Post Production Mobile video game developer and publisher  USA — — [59]
May 4, 2011 Firemint Mobile video game developer and publisher  AUS — — [60]
July 12, 2011 PopCap Games Video game developer and publisher  USA $750,000,000[note 3] San Francisco & Seattle Dublin† & Vancouver† [36][61][62]
June 1, 2012 ESN Social gaming product developers  SWE — — [63]

Stakes

Date Company Business Country Value References
January 25, 1995 Visual Concepts Entertainment[note 4] Video game developer  USA — [64]
May 9, 1995 NovaLogic[note 5] Video game developer and publisher  USA — [65]
March 11, 1997 Accolade†[note 6] Video game developer and publisher  USA — [66][67]
April 3, 1997 Mpath Interactive†[note 7] Computer game and online company  USA — [68][69]
August 4, 1998 Kodiak Interactive Software Studios, Inc.†[note 8] Video game developer  USA — [70][71]
December 24, 2004 Ubisoft Entertainment*[note 9] Video game developer and publisher  FRA 68.9 million euros [10][11][72]

Notes

  1. ↑ While Maxis Emeryville was closed, other studios of EA Maxis were consolidated into other existing studios of EA.
  2. ↑ Staff who choose to remain were absorbed into EA Los Angeles.
  3. ↑ Includes $650 million in cash and the issuing of $100 million in EA common stock to certain shareholders of PopCap Games. Does not include additional cash possibly received based on earnings before interest and taxes milestones through December 2013.
  4. ↑ EA purchased a minority stake, later sold to Take 2 Interactive.
  5. ↑ EA purchased a minority stake, yet there is no mention of it on EA's Investor Page.
  6. ↑ EA purchased a minority stake. Later purchased by Infogrames.
  7. ↑ EA purchased a minority stake. On June 18, 2001, it was acquired by GameSpy and MPlayer.com was merged with GameSpy Arcade.
  8. ↑ EA purchased a minority stake, but it later merged with Acclaim Entertainment.
  9. ↑ EA initially purchased a 19.9% stake then-valued at 68.9 million euros, but then sold its remaining stake in July 2010 for 122 million U.S. dollars (94 million euros).

References

  1. 1 2 "Electronic Arts, Inc.: Full Description". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  2. 1 2 "EA to Acquire JAMDAT Mobile Inc. -- the Leader in North American Mobile Interactive Entertainment; Accelerates EA's Objective of Global Expansion in Mobile". Jamdat Mobile Inc. 2005-12-08. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  3. ↑ "The Conquest of Origin pg. 2". Escapist. 2005-10-11. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  4. ↑ "The Conquest of Origin pg. 3". Escapist. 2005-10-11. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  5. ↑ Brendan Sinclair (2006-10-06). "EA shuts down DICE Canada". Gamespot. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  6. ↑ "EA to Shut Down Origin Systems". Gamepro. 2004-02-25. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  7. ↑ "EA closes Pandemic Studios unit". CNET. 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  8. 1 2 "EA Confirms EA Chicago is Closing". Kotaku. 2007-11-06. Archived from the original on 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  9. ↑ Caroline McCarthy (2007-10-11). "Electronic Arts pays $860 million for BioWare, Pandemic Studios". CNET. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  10. 1 2 Business Wire (2004-12-24). "EA Invests in UbiSoft Entertainment; Acquires Approximately 19.9 Percent Equity in Global Game Company.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  11. 1 2 Ecorcheville, Ambroise; Angeline Benoit. "UPDATE: Electronic Arts Sells Ubisoft Shares, Ends 6-Year Link". Automated Trader. Dow Jones Newswires. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  12. ↑ Ian Chadwick (1988). "Ian's Quest". ST-Log (20): 47.
  13. ↑ Morrissey, James (2005-03-14). "Artist Showcase: Michael Reichmann". The Nature, Wildlife and Pet Photography Forum. Archived from the original on 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  14. ↑ Software Industry Report (1997-06-04). "Electronic Arts; Distinctive Software Inc.". AllBusiness. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  15. ↑ PR Newswire (1992-09-10). "Electronic Arts Announces Agreement to Acquire Origin Systems". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  16. ↑ Business Wire (1994-11-14). "Electronic Arts acquires distributor in Spain; forms third subsidiary in continental Europe.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  17. ↑ Business Wire (1995-02-06). "Electronic Arts to acquire leading European software developer, Bullfrog Productions Ltd.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  18. ↑ "Bullfrog Productions". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  19. ↑ Business Wire (1995-03-08). "Electronic Arts acquires distributor in Germany, Kingsoft GmbH.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  20. ↑ Business Wire (1996-01-29). "Electronic Arts Acquires Software Developer Manley & Associates.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  21. ↑ Business Wire (1997-06-04). "Electronic Arts and Maxis Inc. announce definitive agreement to merge; transaction valued at approximately $125 million.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  22. ↑ Kain, Erik (2015-03-04). "'SimCity' Developer Shut Down By EA". Forbes. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  23. ↑ Sarkar, Samit (March 4, 2015). "EA shuts down Maxis Emeryville, studio behind SimCity". Polygon. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  24. ↑ Business Wire (1998-04-02). "Electronic Arts Acquires Software Developer Tiburon Entertainment; Leading Sports Game Developer Becomes Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  25. ↑ Business Wire (1998-04-08). "Electronic Arts Acquires Vision Software PTY Ltd.; EA Moves Into Continent of Africa.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  26. ↑ Business Wire (1998-07-28). "Electronic Arts Acquires ABC Software to Establish Direct Sales Organizations in Switzerland and Austria.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  27. ↑ Business Wire (1998-08-17). "Electronic Arts to Buy Westwood Studios From Virgin Interactive Entertainment; EA to Acquire Creators of Command & Conquer in a Cash Transaction Valued at $122.5 Million.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  28. ↑ "Westwood Studios, Inc.". MobyGames. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  29. ↑ Business Wire (1998-09-08). "Electronic Arts Announces Acquisition of PlayNation; Online Entertainment Developer Adds to EA's Internet Content.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  30. ↑ PR Newswire (1999-11-22). "Electronic Arts Announces Agreement to Acquire News Corp. Online Game Unit, Kesmai.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  31. ↑ PR Newswire (2000-02-24). "Electronic Arts Acquires DreamWorks Interactive From Microsoft And DreamWorks SKG.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  32. ↑ Handrahan, Matthew (2013-06-14). "EA confirms dissolution of Danger Close". Videogames.biz. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  33. ↑ Business Wire (2001-02-28). "EA.com Acquires Leading Games Destination pogo.com; pogo.com's Popular Family Games Site Complements EA.com's Rich Content Games.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  34. ↑ Business Wire (2002-06-11). "EA to Acquire Black Box Games Development Studio; Creators of Top-Selling Sports and Racing Games to Join EA.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  35. ↑ "EA closing Vancouver studios PopCap and Quicklime in latest round of layoffs: report". Financial Post. 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  36. 1 2 "Electronic Arts closing PopCap and Quicklime in latest layoffs to hit Vancouver's gaming sector". Vancouver Sun. 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  37. ↑ Electronic Arts (2003-10-16). "UK Developer Studio 33 Joins EA Worldwide Studios". Yahoo! Finance. Market Wire. Archived from the original on 2004-04-16. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  38. ↑ Electronic Arts (2004-02-13). "NuFX Joins EA Worldwide Studios; Long-Time Development Partner on NBA STREET and EA SPORTS Fight Night 2004 Acquired by EA". Business Wire. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  39. ↑ Business Wire (2004-07-28). "EA to Acquire Criterion Software Group from CANON EUROPE; EA Acquires UK Creator of Burnout 3 and RenderWare.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  40. ↑ Gamespot (2009-07-27). "Electronic Arts acquires Hypnotix.". Gamespot. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  41. ↑ "EA to Acquire Mythic Entertainment". Mythic Entertainment. 2006-06-20. Archived from the original on 2006-07-02. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  42. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (2014-05-29). "Mythic shut down". Videogames.biz. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  43. ↑ Business Wire (2006-08-23). "EA Acquires Phenomic Game Development; Acclaimed Creators of Real Time Strategy Franchises Become EA's Newest Studio in Europe.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  44. ↑ Handrahan, Matthew (2013-07-12). "EA Phenomic closed". Videogames.biz. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  45. ↑ "Digital Illusions CE". TeamXbox. 2006-10-02. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  46. ↑ Business Wire (2006-11-30). "Headgate Studios Team Joins EA.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  47. ↑ "EA Acquires Singshot Media". Electronic Arts. Business Wire. 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  48. ↑ "Press Releases". Electronic Arts. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  49. ↑ "EA Acquires Super Computer International". Electronic Arts. 2007-10-05. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  50. ↑ Letzing, John (2007-10-11). "Electronic Arts to buy game maker VG Holding". MarketWatch. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  51. ↑ "EA to Acquire Assets of Hands-On Mobile Korea". Electronic Arts. Business Wire. 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  52. ↑ "EA Acquires ThreeSF". Electronic Arts. Business Wire. 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  53. ↑ "EA Acquires Korean Online Game Developer J2M". Electronic Arts. Business Wire. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  54. ↑ "EA Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2010 Results". Electronic Arts. 2009-08-04. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  55. ↑ "Q2 Fiscal Year 2010 Results" (PDF).
  56. ↑ Johnson, Bobbie (2009-11-09). "Playfish sells to Electronic Arts in deal worth up to $400m". The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  57. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (2013-04-15). "EA shutting down Playfish games". Videogames.biz. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  58. ↑ "EA buys Angry Birds publisher Chillingo". Los Angeles Times. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  59. ↑ "Electronic Arts Purchases MPP developer and Firemint". Game Beats. 2011-05-03. Retrieved 2011-05-11.
  60. ↑ "Electronic Arts buys Aussie game maker Firemint". New Zealand Herald. 2011-05-04. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  61. ↑ "EA to Acquire PopCap Games". Business Wire. 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  62. ↑ "96 jobs lost as PopCap closes Dublin office". The Daily Business Post. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  63. ↑ "Electronic Arts Buys Online Gaming Studio ESN, The Developers Behind Battlefield's Battlelog Online Social Network". TechCrunch. 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  64. ↑ Business Wire (1995-01-25). "Electronic Arts takes equity stake in leading software developer, Visual Concepts Entertainment.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  65. ↑ Business Wire (1995-05-09). "Electronic Arts invests in software publisher, NovaLogic; companies ink four-year distribution deal.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  66. ↑ Business Wire (1997-03-11). "Electronic Arts invests in Accolade; companies ink multiyear distribution deal.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  67. ↑ "Accolade". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  68. ↑ Business Wire (1997-04-03). "Electronic Arts, Mpath announce online game agreement and investment.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  69. ↑ "GameSpy Industries Completes Acquisition of Mplayer". GameSpy Press Release. GameZone. 2001-06-18. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
  70. ↑ Business Wire (1998-08-04). "Electronic Arts Enters Into Long Term Development Agreement and Makes Investment in Software Developer Kodiak Interactive; Salt Lake City Studio to Develop WCW Titles.". The Free Library. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  71. ↑ "Kodiak Interactive". IGN. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  72. ↑ Bloomberg (2010-07-16). "Electronic Arts Sells 15% Stake in France's Ubisoft". Bloomeberg Business Week. Retrieved 2010-08-05.

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