EA to complete DICE takeover

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:11 am PT

Publisher looks to pick up the remaining 26 percent of the Battlefield series developer it doesn't already own.

Electronic Arts has been in the process of acquiring Digital Illusions CE (DICE) since 2003, purchasing the publisher in chunks here and there. However, the long courtship is set to come to an end soon, as EA announced that the companies have agreed on a final merger proposal.

If all goes according to plan, EA will purchase the remaining shares of DICE in September, "effectively making DICE a fully integrated studio within EA." The merger must be approved by a two-three majority vote at DICE's annual shareholders meeting in May, but that shouldn't be a problem, considering EA already owns approximately 68 percent of the company's shares.

In a statement issued by the Stockholm-based company, DICE chairman Thomas Skoglund said that the acquisition "resolves a stifling and complex situation while at the same time safeguarding DICE's position as a leading-edge game developer in a global and increasingly competitive environment."

Specifically, DICE noted that the current ownership situation has two glaring weaknesses that a full acquisition would remedy. First, it prevents DICE from using EA tools, technology, and financial resources. It also added that it could make it difficult to entice talented employees to join or stay with the company in the future.

DICE is currently at work on downloadable content packs for its Battlefield 2 PC game, and Xbox 360 and PSP versions of Battlefield 2: Modern Combat. The company was founded in 1992 and has offices in Sweden and Canada.

53 Comments

First to Last
Latest

prev next

ryanthegamer
Posted Sep 28, 2006 11:04 pm PT

I hope battle field 2 is still gunna be made but what is wrong with EA i think they make good games.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 1 users agree
Eliteshooter
Posted Jun 18, 2006 1:02 pm PT

so does this mean that Battlefield 2 is gunna be shut off?
- Login to rate this comment
- 1 of 1 users agree
Smo17
Posted Jun 3, 2006 3:01 pm PT

EA is giving me more and more reason to start up a new gaming company with a bunch of other people and friends who have all considered going into the gaming business and showing EA what it's like to go up against a company that's in it for quality games as opposed to money so they won't have the ability to simply buy someone out. Time to start making some calls...
- Login to rate this comment
- 1 of 1 users agree
AbuSharkas8
Posted Mar 20, 2006 12:01 pm PT

thats nice
- Login to rate this comment
- 1 of 1 users agree
SWEToryu
Posted Mar 20, 2006 4:09 am PT

EA has already taking over the world (in games) but i hope DICE still makes the games they want to do... Like BF 3 or whatever!!.... Well i hope!!!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
tremo01
Posted Mar 19, 2006 1:11 pm PT

And another company hits the EA drain.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
WhitePenguin
Posted Mar 19, 2006 11:33 am PT

i am so happy konami is japanese, "YOU CANT HAVE METAL GEAR EA!!!"
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
aaronball
Posted Mar 19, 2006 1:51 am PT

EA was an excellent company in the 90's, both the US and Canadian bases made great games! EA gets my love.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
ao_bomber
Posted Mar 18, 2006 4:46 pm PT

Everything EA touches dies, just stay away from thier rehashes people!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
BZSIN
Posted Mar 18, 2006 1:23 pm PT

The only people to blame for this are gamers themselves. If people didn't continuously buy the crap that EA puts out, they wouldn't be in a position to buy out all these companies.

Vote with your wallets. It's the only way.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
SQUALL20XX
Posted Mar 18, 2006 7:36 am PT

nice .
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
erikmele
Posted Mar 18, 2006 4:08 am PT

lol, yeah that EA
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Carpe_Noctum
Posted Mar 18, 2006 3:49 am PT

EA already "owned" DICE, the paticulars were samantics.. Dice is one of the few good development houses they have now. They owned it anyway, not much of a story.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
SlimboyJT
Posted Mar 17, 2006 6:39 pm PT

When EA took over westwood, come out with generals. That ended C&C saga collections for me. T_T
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Sandman100
Posted Mar 17, 2006 6:07 pm PT

EA taken over the gaming world. But I really don't care. Go EA.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Blazer88
Posted Mar 17, 2006 5:27 pm PT

This is kinda sad
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
mcgrawgamer
Posted Mar 17, 2006 5:06 pm PT

This may actually be a good move for DICE and a bad move for us the consumber. DICE now has the financial backing to be more creative depending if EA gives them any creative freedom. Bad for us because as EA gobbles up developer after developer they remove the competitive edge, and without competition there's no desire to be the best. With no desire there is no quality. Soon we will end up playing Pong again. Only this time it'll be in High Def.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
doggy47perfecto
Posted Mar 17, 2006 3:00 pm PT

god i hate ea
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Vizhonary
Posted Mar 17, 2006 2:35 pm PT

I'd rather run a game using StarForce copyprotection than buy a game from EA.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Agent_023
Posted Mar 17, 2006 2:30 pm PT

No! The developer of one of my favorite game series has been ruined!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
GreyFoxV1
Posted Mar 17, 2006 2:00 pm PT

Yay more monopolization of the industry, I am giddy.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Xcelerate
Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:53 pm PT

Ouch. As long as EA doesn't touch Bungie/Halo or Bethesda/Elder Scrolls, it's alright.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Merl57
Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:45 pm PT

Wow Ea will trash the games now. Probably the 26% that Dice had made Battlefield so good. Now its going to suck. Ea is going to pressure the next game in the series to come out quickly and make as many spin offs as possible, like SF which is a joke. I can't stand EA they ruined westwood and command and conquer by not supporting the game with patches, and its only a matter of time before Battlefield goes to hell. Well its a good game now and I'm sure people will play it, but the future makes me sick.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
RobertBowen
Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:32 pm PT

I consider this bad news. Why? Because most developers simply want to churn out the same stuff over and over again to rake in cash, and not take any risks. When a developer is owned completely by a publisher, they no longer have a foot to stand on to argue their case. Make no mistake about who will be calling the shots, and who will have the last say on content - it will be EA.

And just remember - if a few games do badly, and EA has to cut costs, they'll simply dump some of those development houses they acquired to balance their books, and your 'favourite' developers will be no more.

Publishers like EA chew up and spit out development houses. They're like a tornado ripping up everything in their path, and leaving a mess behind. You're fine while you're inside the funnel...but god help you when you get thrown out, because it's a long drop with a messy end.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Donkeljohn
Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:22 pm PT

EA really does want their title to stand for Everything Awesome
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
UltimatumCHIEF
Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:22 pm PT

EVIL "EA" takeover plan to control the World, God help us all.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
evilbanshee
Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:17 pm PT

"EA's next target: Valve. just you wait... "

Nah. It'll never happen. Valve has its own ambitions of becoming a publisher. What did you think Steam was for?
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
nemes1s3000
Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:02 pm PT

EA makes great games, stop yer whining.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
skitzocyko
Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:54 pm PT

The End is Near!! Damn you EA!!!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
NeoJedi
Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:38 pm PT

Well there you go... another company swallowed up by EA.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
MetaMods
Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:14 pm PT

Crytek will be the next, telling you MOH series will be really crappy one.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Redhunt_86
Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:01 pm PT

just look at the latest games by EA and would u swear by your statement that everything that EA touches is bad? EA consists of multiple studios also, so you cuold probably blame the difference in game quality on them.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
BigC43
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:48 am PT

EA's next target: Valve. just you wait...
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
SouthpawSamurai
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:38 am PT

What always amazes me is when I hear about EA acquiring this developer and that, I'm reminded of the EA I used to know and love...the small pool of 'garage' developer teams who were all so proud of their individual accomplishments that their record-album like game boxes had group photos of them.

What a difference twenty years makes....
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
yanks26wsw
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:36 am PT

EA rth is next
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
chrisdojo
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:35 am PT

another company gobbled up by the beast named EA.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
sandz_09
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:26 am PT

wow. who back then would have thought EA to become this big...oh and i'd appreciate a BF2 demo before Oblivion lands next week. with my small schedule at home, i doubt i'll play anything beyond Oblivion and GRAW.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
TrailorParkBoy
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:23 am PT

i bet EA will release there own console in the near future
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
decebal
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:17 am PT

EA will release it's own console soon.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
LunarDuality
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:14 am PT

Oh god no! I hope this doesn't mean that there won't be a Rallisport Challenge 3 for the 360...I was still holding out hope!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
fearnterror
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:12 am PT

Has history repeated itself? One company trying to take over the world. Yeah, i can't blame you know, surely EA needs more money to make better looking games, like um......... I don't know. I guess all their funding is headed straight to Madden. Someday, EA will stand for ECLIPSE ALL!
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Thailfish
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:08 am PT

I'm glad I try to stay away from EA.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
bobreturns
Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:06 am PT

i thought the battlefield games were amazing so i reckon it will all be ok
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
automaticsnake
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:52 am PT

lol EA wants to take over the world
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
fsales
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:47 am PT

how much longer is it gonna take for EA to rule the entire planet?! I think it's next move is to buy Microsoft AND Sony! lol
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
mbouffard
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:46 am PT

Where you put my CV
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
Sil3n7Knight
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:45 am PT

man this sucks.... i hope you still make good games dice and dont fall into "the only making them for money crap...."
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
ufopuller
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:43 am PT

Sounds like a case of a roll of the wrong dice
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
mattbakse
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:38 am PT

EA needs to stop buying everybody out. Pretty soon there will be no good companies and just EA making bad games.
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree
teknocack
Posted Mar 17, 2006 10:28 am PT

At some time one must ask the question: How big is too big, and how much is too much?
- Login to rate this comment
- 0 of 0 users agree

First to Last
Latest

prev next

Related Companies

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Q&A: Bizarre surveys Geometry Wars 2 aftermath

Stephen Cakebread and Craig Howard talk about pulling inspiration for the XBLA shooter from Spyro the Dragon and Brain Age, why they left out online play, and much more. Full Story
- Posted Aug 19, 2008 3:25 pm PT
- 30 Comments
Q&A: Epic's Capps raps about EA deal

Gears of War developer's president discusses partnering with Electronic Arts, dissects the publisher-developer relationship, and divulges the existence of another new IP. Full Story
- Posted Aug 15, 2008 4:11 pm PT
- 112 Comments

Featured Stories

GC 2008: PSP-3000, 160GB PS3, PS3 keypad unveiled

[UPDATE] Mic-enabled portable hitting Europe Oct. 15 via eight 199-euro bundles; new 449-euro consoles coming Oct. 31; PlayTV launches Sept. 19, LittleBigPlanet Oct. 19; bluetooth keypad also due out by November's end. Full Story
- Posted Aug 20, 2008 8:38 am PT
- 220 Comments
The Sims 3 moves in February 20

EA's surefire best-selling life simulator takes root on the PC next year; collector's edition detailed. Full Story
- Posted Aug 20, 2008 10:23 am PT
- 37 Comments
Banjo's Nuts bolt to stores Nov. 14

Budget $39.99 price point for Rare's latest confirmed; gamers who preorder will get early access to original Banjo-Kazooie on Xbox Live Arcade. Full Story
- Posted Aug 19, 2008 12:30 pm PT
- 175 Comments
NPD: NCAA Football sacks July

EA's collegiate pigskin sim scores top honors as 41 percent spike in total software sales push US industry to $1.2 billion in revenue for the month. Full Story
- Posted Aug 14, 2008 4:31 pm PT
- 47 Comments