The next video game acquisition is right around the corner. Surprisingly enough, it doesn't involve Microsoft or Sony.
Shortly after Sony and Microsoft acquired Bungie and Activision Blizzard, respectively, rumors suggest that Amazon will snap up one of gaming's longest-running corporations - Electronic Arts.
According to GLHF, Amazon will formalize the announcement that it's buying EA, which is the massive publisher behind FIFA, Madden, Battlefield, and Apex Legends.
The surprising buyout comes just weeks after we started hearing rumors that Apple, Disney, and Amazon are lining up to buy EA. If Amazon makes a formal offer, then it will have made a lateral move. At the moment, Amazon is believed to be working with EA on a Mass Effect TV series. By buying the entire company, Amazon will have access to several more properties with cinematic potential like Dragon Age and Dead Space, among several others.
Update:
Unfortunately, it appears that the initial reports were premature. CNBC Now's David Faber is debunking the claims, saying that "this is not going to happen."
Of course, weirder things have happened in the gaming industry lately. At the very least, it's worth keeping an eye out for potential announcements later today, just in case.
Amazon is not going to make a bid for Electronic Arts, sources tell CNBC's @DavidFaber. Shares of $EA surged earlier on a report citing a "rumor." pic.twitter.com/k7wk0Fy7xv
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) August 26, 2022
Regardless of whether EA will be moving under the Amazon umbrella or not, the company is preparing for a busy few months. After welcoming Madden NFL 23 on August 18, EA will launch FIFA 23 on September 27. Afterward, EA will roll out other highly anticipated titles such as the next Need for Speed game, which has reportedly been delayed by a month, the Dead Space Remake, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
As for Amazon, the multinational retail-turned-tech giant has a handful of live-action adaptations of massive video game franchises lined up. In addition to the rumored Mass Effect series, EA is also working with Sony on a God of War show as well as Microsoft on a surprisingly accurate Fallout project.
