Rumour: Microsoft is looking to acquire mega-publisher EA

Xbox One format holder Microsoft is looking to bolster its exclusives lineup by acquiring industry giants Electronic Arts, reports Polygon. The article states that the tech juggernaut is even toying with the prospect of snapping up the likes of Valve and PUBG Corp, the developer behind the perennially popular PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. 

Apparently, Microsoft is acutely aware that Sony is smashing it when it comes to exclusive games, and therefore wants to remedy the issue by flashing its cash. Polygon cites a ‘reliable source close to Microsoft’ that it’s looking at a seducing EA, with ‘whispers’ also suggesting the company has been eyeing up Valve and PUBG Corp, too. 

Obviously right now these are all still rumours. Yes, Microsoft is bloody loaded, and could conceivably fork out for EA’s estimated worth of a tidy $35 billion. But would such an earth-shattering move actually happen in this day and age? The last big buyout on a game company MS made was Minecraft company Mojang, back in 2014, for a paltry $2.5 billion. There’s a lot of billions in between 2.5 and 35. Right now, we’ll have to sit back and wait. 

To be fair, Xbox One’s exclusive slate is looking a little bare compared to Sony, who has the likes of God of War, Detroit, Dreams, Days Gone, and Spider-Man coming out in 2018 alone. The Big M, meanwhile, is offering Crackdown 3, State of Decay 2, and Sea of Thieves. A fine bunch, but a bit lacking all the same. 

No doubt all eyes will be on E3 as both companies will be flexing their AAA-sized muscles for the year ahead.