Apple Rumored for Possible Electronic Arts Takeover; Analyst Calls Rumor 'Retarded'

20
Following the hiring of several gaming industry executives, Apple has been rumored to be considering a takeover attempt on Electronic Arts--though one analyst isn't buying it.

Apple recently picked up former Xbox division director of strategy Richard Teversham, along with Bob Drebin, the designer of the Gamecube graphics processor. The hirings have fueled speculation that Apple is looking to make a move into the wider gaming industry, and specifically that it is currently eying Electronic Arts.

But hard-nosed Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter isn't buying it.

"Sounds retarded to me," said Pachter to Gamasutra.

"Apple could buy Warner Music for around $3 billion, and control 20 percent of all recorded music," he continued. "That makes more sense to their current business model than buying EA for more than twice that, doesn't it?"

"I don't want to start a rumor, but want to point out that Apple doesn't own any entertainment content, so I don't know why they would feel compelled to enter a new business unrelated to their current product slate," he concluded.

Filed Under
From The Chatty
  • reply
    May 5, 2009 12:05 PM

    I wouldn't say it's completely unrelated. Biggest selling feature of iPhones are apps and people have called it a gaming platform before.

    • reply
      May 5, 2009 12:17 PM

      It's a console. The EA thing would make sense if they grabbed software guys, but they grabbed the x-box strategy guy and the game cube graphics processor guy, this is all hardware. It could also mean that they are partnering with EA to publish games as well.

      This is going to be interesting, someone floated this rumor from apple to test the waters.

      • reply
        May 5, 2009 12:22 PM

        WiiPro

      • reply
        May 5, 2009 12:39 PM

        Last thing we need in this world is an iBox!

        • reply
          May 6, 2009 9:25 PM

          They tried. Back in 1996 Apple and Bandai put a device out called Pippen. They didn't get any games out before it was canned.

Hello, Meet Lola