Looks like EA is on schedule with the huge purchase of the year and purveyors of plants, zombies and exploding jewels are next on the auction block. “EA and PopCap are a compelling combination,” according to EA CEO John Riccitiello. “PopCap’s great studio talent and powerful IP add to EA’s momentum and accelerate our drive towards a $1 billion digital business. EA’s global studio and publishing network will help PopCap rapidly expand their business to more digital devices, more countries, and more channels.”
“We picked EA because they have recast their culture around making great digital games,” according to David Roberts, CEO of PopCap. “By working with EA, we’ll scale our games and services to deliver more social, mobile, casual fun to an even bigger, global audience.” We’re having trouble thinking of something more global than Bejeweled at the moment. But we’re certain it’s just EA’s global reach and not a fighting chance against Zynga that has PopCap doing a 180 on their previously stated position on buyouts.