Electronic Arts just announced that they have “acquired” both BioWare and Pandemic Studios. The word acquired only works if you don’t consider buying up the stock of another company as a complete and total takeover. EA bought VG holding Corp which owns both companies. I see this as the next step in EA’s total gaming world takeover.
“These are two of the most respected studios in the industry and I’m glad to be working with them again. They’ll make a strong contribution to our strategic growth initiatives on quality, online gaming and developing new intellectual properties,” said John Riccitiello, EA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We also expect this will drive long-term value for our shareholders.”
“Pandemic Studios remains focused on attracting the best talent and creating blockbuster action games,” said Josh Resnick, President and Co-founder of Pandemic Studios. “As a worldwide publishing leader, EA represents the ideal partner to bring our titles to market as global entertainment events.”
“We are truly excited by John Riccitiello’s new vision for EA,” said Ray Muzyka, Co-founder and CEO of BioWare Corp. “This vision is consistent with BioWare’s focus on crafting the highest quality story-driven games in the world. It will enable us to further the careers of the passionate, creative and hard working teams at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Austin.”
Apparently EA payed $620 Million to the stockholders and then another $155 to certain employees of VG Holding. In addition to all that cash they’re shelling out another $35 million loan to VG. My gosh… This is certainly interesting information, to me at least, given that EA now holds one major MMO Release (Warhammer) and now another with Bioware’s highly anticipated unannounced MMO. Right now I have mixed feelings on the whole situation. EA has so far been fine on the EA Mythic front but the game is still in development and we haven’t seen much of EA at all. I’m interested to know what this will do to Bioware. I can see it now… multi-platform MicroTransaction ridden MMO… ugh.
I think I just heard Darth Vader in the background screaming “NooOOoooOOoooo!”. Oh wait, that was Graev.
Still in shock atm. I just hope EA leaves Bioware to do it’s thing, and not muck things up.
A number of good development companies (like Maxis and Infinity Ward) have kept making good games under EA. Hell, my favorite game right now, Battle for Middle Earth 2, was developed directly by EA. And their love of sequels isn’t such a big deal when you consider that Bioware has already demonstrated a fondness for sequels.
I’m optimistic about the buyout. EA will have a good teacher on how to make RPGs, and Bioware will be encouraged to explore unfamiliar territory. Maybe this means we’ll finally see a good game based on a movie, because the job will be given to Bioware.