Apple in talks to buy Disney, EA gaming, and Amazon

Electronic Arts (EA), a video game publisher, is aggressively looking for a buyer or a merger. According to Puck, Apple has been in talks with EA about purchasing the company. Disney and Amazon have also been in talks about purchasing the video game company.

Apex Legends, Madden NFL, and The Sims brand have all been released by the Redwood City-based studio. After Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard for $68 billion earlier this year, the concept for a buyout or merger arose. Bungie, the studio behind Destiny, was purchased by Sony for $3.6 billion shortly after. According to Puck, EA prefers a merger so that Andrew Wilson can continue to lead the combined firm.

EA’s roots actually go back to Apple. Back in 1982, Apple’s then Director of Strategy and Marketing, Trip Hawkins, left the company to start EA. A buyout wouldn’t be Apple’s first venture into gaming, however. The Cupertino company unveiled its gaming service Apple Arcade back in 2019. Through Apple Arcade, users can play ad-free games on their iOS, macOS, and tvOS devices.

EA spokesperson John Reseburg said the company would not comment on any “rumors and speculation relating to M&A.” Reseburg added, “We are proud to be operating from a position of strength and growth, with a portfolio of amazing games, built around powerful IP, made by incredibly talented teams, and a network of more than half a billion players. We see a very bright future ahead.”

However, Apple has not commented on a potential deal with Electronic Arts.

EA appears to be in a hurry to close the acquisition, so expect to hear more shortly. However, I believe Apple and EA’s partnership is still in the early stages.