The Buzz: US magazine editor says Microsoft will make a $1 billion move for the video game and middleware specialist in the summer.

According to wral.com, GamePro magazine assistant editor Travis Moses believes Microsoft will purchase Epic Games this summer for the tidy sum of $1 billion.

"Microsoft will buy Epic Games for $1 billion this summer," wrote Moses. "Microsoft has lots of cash on hand, and in buying Epic, could collect royalty rights for Unreal technology across other platforms."

Epic Games is famous for the creation of the Unreal Engine, now in its third version, and the multi-million selling Unreal and Gears of War franchises.

Moses also notes that the recent acquisition of BioWare Pandemic by EA and the Activision Vivendi merger make Microsoft's acquisition of Epic Games even more likely.

Microsoft is expected to make some major announcements concerning its gaming business at GDC later this week, but we don't think we'll be hearing anything regarding the acquisition of Epic Games.