EA Completes DICE Acquisition
EA's quest to acquire Battlefield developer Digital Ilusions CE (DICE) started in 2004 and is now finally over. The Swedish team is now officially a part of the EA Studio system and will work on Battlefield and new products. More within...
In a deal that was in the works for nearly two years, leading publisher Electronic Arts today announced that it's finally added Swedish developer Digital Illusions CE (DICE) to its stable of studios. Known for its Battlefield franchise, DICE becomes a fully integrated EA studio effective immediately. The team will be "dedicated to growing the Battlefield franchise and developing new products for the PC, next generation consoles and other new platforms."
EA acquired the Stockholm-based studio for 67.50 Swedish Kroner (about $9.21) per share in cash. DICE shareholders, which represent roughly 2.6 million shares, will be paid out on October 16. As part of the deal, EA acquired (via merger) all the assets and liabilities of DICE.
Now under EA, DICE CEO Patrick Soderlund will become an EA Studio General Manager and will maintain responsibility for the DICE studio as well as assume other creative responsibilities. The rest of the DICE leadership team will continue in their current roles.
"Being part of the EA studio team is a great step forward that will help us continue to deliver new games and new franchises to DICE fans," commented Soderlund. "We've been working very closely with EA for the past five years and this is a very natural step for us as we move into the next generation of gaming."
"EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly talented people and a globally recognized game franchise," added Paul Lee, President of EA's Worldwide Studios. "The DICE studio has strong opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other new products. We're confident that our creative approach and business leadership principles are well matched to share future success."
EA had originally set out to acquire DICE back in 2004 and the publisher had the full support of the Swedish company's board. The problem, however, was that stockholders were resisting and EA had trouble getting much beyond a 50 percent stake. Over the months since EA announced its intent to purchase DICE, the company has managed to slowly pick up additional shares and gained a majority stake in DICE early in 2005. Then in March of this year EA finally announced that the two parties had reached an agreement and would likely close the deal around September.
Source: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=13976
This means EA is now a full owner of Dice
Translation:
Battlefield franchise is now doomed. Not that it wasn't before.
EA's quest to acquire Battlefield developer Digital Ilusions CE (DICE) started in 2004 and is now finally over. The Swedish team is now officially a part of the EA Studio system and will work on Battlefield and new products. More within...
In a deal that was in the works for nearly two years, leading publisher Electronic Arts today announced that it's finally added Swedish developer Digital Illusions CE (DICE) to its stable of studios. Known for its Battlefield franchise, DICE becomes a fully integrated EA studio effective immediately. The team will be "dedicated to growing the Battlefield franchise and developing new products for the PC, next generation consoles and other new platforms."
EA acquired the Stockholm-based studio for 67.50 Swedish Kroner (about $9.21) per share in cash. DICE shareholders, which represent roughly 2.6 million shares, will be paid out on October 16. As part of the deal, EA acquired (via merger) all the assets and liabilities of DICE.
Now under EA, DICE CEO Patrick Soderlund will become an EA Studio General Manager and will maintain responsibility for the DICE studio as well as assume other creative responsibilities. The rest of the DICE leadership team will continue in their current roles.
"Being part of the EA studio team is a great step forward that will help us continue to deliver new games and new franchises to DICE fans," commented Soderlund. "We've been working very closely with EA for the past five years and this is a very natural step for us as we move into the next generation of gaming."
"EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly talented people and a globally recognized game franchise," added Paul Lee, President of EA's Worldwide Studios. "The DICE studio has strong opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other new products. We're confident that our creative approach and business leadership principles are well matched to share future success."
EA had originally set out to acquire DICE back in 2004 and the publisher had the full support of the Swedish company's board. The problem, however, was that stockholders were resisting and EA had trouble getting much beyond a 50 percent stake. Over the months since EA announced its intent to purchase DICE, the company has managed to slowly pick up additional shares and gained a majority stake in DICE early in 2005. Then in March of this year EA finally announced that the two parties had reached an agreement and would likely close the deal around September.
Source: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=13976
This means EA is now a full owner of Dice
Translation:
Battlefield franchise is now doomed. Not that it wasn't before.
Last edited by alpinestar (2006-10-02 11:20:25)