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The booming casual games sector could be on the verge of another blockbuster acquisition, with rumours claiming that EA is preparing a swoop for successful iPhone publisher Chillingo.
All Things Digital claims that EA is close to finalising a deal, though adds that several suitors remain in the shadows waiting for the chance to strike. Names include Intel, Gameloft, DeNA, Activision and even Microsoft.
The purchase price is vague – estimates point to anything between $80 and $200m.
Chillingo’s biggest hit to date is undoubtedly iPhone hit Angry Birds, which has shifted in excess of 6.5m units on iPhone, a further 2m on Android and even won the affections of UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
The firm has also enjoyed recent success with puzzler Cut the Rope.
There has been a flurry of similar activity in recent weeks with Japanese firm DeNA swooping for Ngmoco, Disney acquiring Tapulous and Playdom and EA itself gobbling up Playfish.
