Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced the acquisition of
Digital Illusions CE (DICE), acclaimed development team and creators
of the Battlefield game franchise. Located in Stockholm, Sweden, DICE
becomes a fully integrated EA studio dedicated to growing the
Battlefield franchise and developing new products for the PC, next
generation consoles and other new platforms. The acquisition is
effective immediately.
"EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly
talented people and a globally recognized game franchise," said Paul
Lee, President of EA's Worldwide Studios. "The DICE studio has strong
opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other
new products. We're confident that our creative approach and business
leadership principles are well matched to share future success."
Patrick Soderlund, DICE CEO, said, "Being part of the EA studio
team is a great step forward that will help us continue to deliver new
games and new franchises to DICE fans. We've been working very closely
with EA for the past five years and this is a very natural step for us
as we move into the next generation of gaming."
Patrick Soderlund will become an EA Studio General Manager,
maintaining responsibility for the DICE studio and taking on
additional creative responsibilities. The DICE leadership team will
continue in their roles in Stockholm.
The acquisition was completed via a merger through which EA
acquired the assets and liabilities of DICE. DICE shareholders,
representing approximately 2.6 million shares, will receive SEK 67.50
per share in cash, to be paid out on October 16, 2006.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City,
California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software
company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and
distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems,
personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its
products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS
BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95
billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's
homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about
EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the
Internet at http://info.ea.com.
Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the
U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
Some statements set forth in this release contain forward-looking
statements that are subject to change. Statements including words such
as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and "plan" and
statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual events or actual future results to differ
materially from the expectations set forth in the forward-looking
statements. Some of the factors which could cause the Company's
results to differ materially from its expectations include the
following: the Company's ability to successfully integrate DICE's
operations and employees; consumer spending trends; the seasonal and
cyclical nature of the interactive game segment; timely development
and release of Electronic Arts' products; competition in the
interactive entertainment industry; general economic conditions; and
other factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. These forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date of initial publication of this release.
Electronic Arts does not intend to update these forward-looking
statements.
