Wild speculation: Disney to buy EA in 2009
Electronic Arts' dwindling stock could soon be trading in Disney Dollars. Just as the Wall Street Journal advised back in November, a new Variety report suggests that Disney may be interested in purchasing EA in 2009 in order to "jumpstart itself to a lead position" in the video game market. It's a small world after all.
While like EA, Disney stock has recently taken a trip south, the report speculates that such a move would help spur revenue growth at the animation giant in the face of waning DVD purchases and slow-to-start Blu-ray and digital download sales. Of course, the cash flow from EA-themed stuffed animals, snowglobes and keychains hocked at the Disney Store couldn't hurt either.
While like EA, Disney stock has recently taken a trip south, the report speculates that such a move would help spur revenue growth at the animation giant in the face of waning DVD purchases and slow-to-start Blu-ray and digital download sales. Of course, the cash flow from EA-themed stuffed animals, snowglobes and keychains hocked at the Disney Store couldn't hurt either.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Weelo89 @ Jan 8th 2009 8:38AM
Wow. The economy is really screwed up right now huh? Usually it's EA wanting to buy everyone out.
Bleu @ Jan 8th 2009 3:39PM
a taste of their own medicin imo. I dont if this is a good move for gaming as a whole but it sure feels nice to see EA get theirs.
Quakeulf @ Jan 8th 2009 8:39AM
Challenge EVERYTHING.
Wiinterfang @ Jan 8th 2009 8:41AM
...What?
Ihavepants @ Jan 8th 2009 8:42AM
Somehow I just can't see things like Dead Space being published by Disney.
baby sea tuna @ Jan 8th 2009 9:00AM
Disney owns Miramax and Dimension. Nuff said.
JAmerican @ Jan 8th 2009 9:06AM
You forgot Touchstone and ABC as well!
(The Award-Winning) dark_inchworm @ Jan 8th 2009 9:25AM
Funny, in an alternate timeline where Take-Two is gobbled up after all, Disney could be the one to publish further installments of GTA. Crazy, isn't it?
Bonus points: Mickey Mouse Manhunt
bobomellette @ Jan 8th 2009 8:45AM
Maybe Disney will actually pay people more than slave wages....
baby sea tuna @ Jan 8th 2009 8:54AM
Uh, you do realize you're talking about the company where the animators nicknamed their department "Mauschwitz" right?
Hala Madrid!! (Somebody get me a tie! And it sure as hell better be red!) @ Jan 8th 2009 8:58AM
Dave Chappelle said:
"You can't buy weed and pussy with Disney dollars"
I think EA should think about that before they do anything stupid.
Moffka @ Jan 8th 2009 9:01AM
I will be ok with this only if it means I can buy a Necromorph plushie.
The Dark Wayne @ Jan 8th 2009 9:03AM
damn you beat me to it
Moffka @ Jan 8th 2009 9:13AM
:D A slasher to cuddle with.
bobomellette @ Jan 8th 2009 9:10AM
I like it!
Mabui @ Jan 8th 2009 9:11AM
Disney buying EA would make for interesting future Kingdom Hearts games I guess.
(The Award-Winning) dark_inchworm @ Jan 8th 2009 9:28AM
The slight possibility of Kingdom Hearts being yanked from Square and handed to EA makes my stomach sink.
samfish @ Jan 8th 2009 9:45AM
I think the Kingdom Hearts series would die, rather than go to EA. Square owns part of it, too, if I'm not mistaken.
Mabui @ Jan 8th 2009 9:50AM
And here I was just thinking the addition of new worlds to explore and possible characters to meet. Way to act as buzz kill! I think it would be cute if you entered into a world where a green gem appeared over your head.
Arnob @ Jan 8th 2009 2:41PM
or all three could combine!!
sora, daffy, and john madden...best game ever
Mike @ Jan 8th 2009 9:11AM
Wow...the potential for movie/game co-releases will become even more staggering. Maybe Disney will ruin everything.
Evan @ Jan 8th 2009 9:16AM
"low-to-start Blu-ray" - Blu-Ray has grown faster than DVD. More people own stand-alone Blu-Ray players today than people owned stand-alone DVD players at the equivalent time in DVD's history.
Vidikron @ Jan 8th 2009 10:22AM
Just to confirm:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/06/blu-rays-first-two-years-outpaces-dvds/
LuiginDaisy @ Jan 8th 2009 12:05PM
Well, you may be right, but most people that owned a PS2, Xbox 360, or a PC with the capability of playing DVDs had no need to dish out more money to buy a stand-alone DVD player.
...But then again, I know people that bought a PS3 ONLY to play Blu-ray movies.
So, The number of people that use it as a Blu-ray player could be even greater.
Kye says: Why did no-one tell me Call of Duty 4 was so good!? @ Jan 8th 2009 9:27AM
So we can expect;
Mickey '09
Mickey '10 Basicaly the same but with improved graphics and mingames
Mickey '11 Return of Donald
*server support for Mickey '09 has now ended*
Mickey '12 Taking yo money one mo time!
meist3r @ Jan 8th 2009 9:33AM
All I can say at this point is that it would be an awesome year for internet humor.
Disney's Battlefield 1688 : Carribean the Musical
The Lion King 3: Apocalypse
MyPooh for Kids
I'm already loving this :p
Dirty @ Jan 8th 2009 9:34AM
Now I cant decide if this was a move to hedge against the buyout, or insider trading.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/riccitiello-blows-1-million-on-ea-stock/
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 8th 2009 9:36AM
hell I'm Game........
Pixar + EA= Interactive Movies.........
No Complaints from me.......
special editions of Madden & NBA Live on the Wii with Disney Characters......lol.......HILARIOUS
The Dark Wayne @ Jan 8th 2009 9:40AM
or they could just end up being shit games based on the movies like they are now
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 8th 2009 10:05AM
hey I'm trying to be positive here.......lol
F1 @ Jan 8th 2009 9:49AM
I can see it now, Mirror's Edge 2:Secrets of the Magic Kingdom
WiNG LifeInAGame.com @ Jan 8th 2009 10:45AM
If we get some XBLA/WiiWare/PSN sequels to those Mickey games on Genesis, AWESOME.
Seriously, they were great games.
gravewolf @ Jan 8th 2009 11:15AM
EA: Dead Space
EA Disney: Duck Space
Deck @ Jan 8th 2009 11:25AM
Special characters in madden: Micky, Donald and Goofy!
caserb @ Jan 8th 2009 11:43AM
Everybody's forgetting these great future titles:
Need For Speed: Hannah Montana Goes To The Races!
Fight Night: Sister (v) Sister
and everybody's favorite: Nascar Vs. Mickey Kart Racing!
LuiginDaisy @ Jan 8th 2009 11:50AM
I sure hope this doesn't mean Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers DLC for Rock Band!
gravewolf @ Jan 8th 2009 11:54AM
OMG!!! Please dont let that happen!! Dont let that happen!!!!! Dont let Rock Band be Disney Rock Band!
LuiginDaisy @ Jan 8th 2009 2:21PM
@gravewolf:
There's already some crap from Nickelodeon, so I wouldn't be surprised.
Cheezeman3000 @ Jan 8th 2009 12:11PM
I wouldn't mind riding "Mirror's Edge" at Disneyland...
UltimateQ @ Jan 8th 2009 12:16PM
Weird. Who has more money?
Joe @ Jan 8th 2009 2:50PM
I think this is great news because the Disney company has said they wanted to bring out more Mature stuff and EA has some nice games. Plus then may be the next Turok might be pretty good.
Plus for people that says Disney is only for little kids Maybe the parks are but there still is fun stuff to do if you are older. Disney owns lots of companys ABC,ESPN plus a lot of other company's too. Plus EA working with Pixar might bring out some really cool games. I also got to say this would allow better movie games.
Jason @ Jan 8th 2009 11:21PM
Apple big time into gaming, not so far off if Disney buy's EA
The following are some quick reasons why I think Apple will rule gaming in the coming next generation wars.
1. Jobs is the single largest shareholder of disney since the pixar acquisition by disney.
2. Jobs is currently experiencing a mass amount of hype in the iphone gaming platform.
3. Apple is pushing the iphone and ipod touch as gaming devices.
If this happens I really believe you will see a HI DEF full-on Apple gaming console, and with this marriage you will see Apple controlling the majority of the gaming industries hottest IP's.
This might put a fairly large dent in Sony and Microsoft's gaming marketplace future.