EA: $ 1.2 billion acquisition of Codemasters completed
EA
EA has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Codemasters: the company, dedicated to driving games, is now part of Electronic Arts. The deal was closed for $ 1.2 billion. To celebrate the event, Electronic Arts has released a tweet with a short dedicated video, visible at the bottom.The CEO of EA, Andrew Wilson, has also released a statement that we propose in translation: "This is the beginning of an exciting new era for driving games: today we unite the talented teams of Electronic Arts and Codemasters. Our teams will become a global powerhouse for automotive entertainment, with incredible games for users of every platform: we don't see time to start working. "
Codemasters CFO Frank Sagnier also released a statement:" Today is a turning point in Codemasters history and an exciting day for our employees and Our players. Partnering with EA will allow our teams to take acclaimed franchises to new heights and reach an even larger global audience through Electronic Arts' player network. Together we can redefine the gaming landscape. driving games to create even more compelling experiences for driving game fans around the world. "
Codemasters was previously in talks with Take-Two Interactive, which had offered $ 994 million. However, EA has surpassed the offer reaching 1.2 billion dollars. The decision was made via a vote by the company's shareholders.
Now, EA owns the rights to Dirt, Grid and the annual Formula One series. Codemasters also recently acquired the rights to the FIA WRC and acquired Slightly Mad Studios, developer of Project Cars and Fast & Furios Crossroads. Apart from these, EA owns Need for Speed and Burnout. It therefore seems that the driving games of the near future will be mostly EA branded.
Also, Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently bought a piece of EA.
EA now owns Codemasters and its many, many racing games
It's official: EA now has a much larger stake in the racing game world. The publisher has completed its $1.2 billion acquisition of Codemasters soon after shareholders approved the deal and just a few months after Take-Two's failed attempt. The purchase puts the likes of Dirt and Formula 1 under the same umbrella as Need for Speed and Real Racing, of course, but the two companies characterize it as more than just expanding EA's motorsport catalog.
Codemasters will get access not just to EA's player base, but 'deep data' and other tools to help grow titles that include realistic racers like Project CARS. This potentially helps all of its franchises grow, not just those that dovetail with EA's penchant toward arcade-style racers. And EA doesn't just get a wider selection of games — it also gets a potential rescuer if a given racing franchise flounders (ahem, Need for Speed) and needs a fresh approach.
Whether or not it works out as hoped is less than clear. Codemasters does fill a gap in EA's lineup, but there is a concern the newly acquired team could be pressured to conform to EA's business models, such as its like-clockwork annual sports game releases. There's no denying that EA has a less-than-stellar history with acquisitions, for that matter. Studios like BioWare, Visceral Games and Origin Systems have either struggled or shut down under EA's tenure, with critics arguing that they gradually lost the talent and focus that made them special. There are success stories like Respawn, though, so there is some hope that Codemasters can thrive under EA's wing.
