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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD: EA to swoop for NCsoft?
Neil Long Dec 5 2007, 3:23pm
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Activision/Vivendi deal could prompt further moves, says analyst
After the emergence of Activision Blizzard this week, industry rumour-mongering has gathered pace over which rival publishers could make the next move.
Analyst and Gameshadow boss Nicholas Lovell believes that EA must act fast to move into the MMO space - and a move for NCsoft would be the best bet.
“The deal will combine Activision’s strong publishing franchises (like Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk) with Vivendi’s games business, and particularly with World of Warcraft, which with over 9.3 million subscribers is the world’s number one multi-player online role-playing game franchise,” said Lovell on his Gameshadow blog.
“It’s a huge deal, creating a real threat to Electronic Arts, particularly as EA does not yet have a category-killing MMO."
“So despite recent comments to the contrary, the ongoing mergers and acquisitions in the games industry are far from over. What’s next? How about Electronic Arts bidding for NCSoft to get hold of Lineage, Tabula Rasa and Guild Wars?”
EA and NCsoft decided not to comment when contacted by MCV.
Comments
“prophets”
Posted by: na - Dec 10, 4:10pm
I think your supposition is wrong.
1. EA has prior experience with NCSoft’s Garriott brothers when they bought Origin. That was a total disaster.
2. Tabula Rasa is effectively a POS and will have a shelf life of maybe 6 months, before it is ‘vanguarded’ into the trash heap.
3. Lineage is a dying product line.
4. Guild Wars is great, but not worth the price tag of the entire company.
5. Why buy Guild Wars and Lineage when you just plunked down $250 M for Mythic/Warhammer? Hello?
It is a bad idea on many levels.