EA Buys Pandemic, BioWare for $860 Million

WRXWagon2112 · Post by **WRXWagon2112** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:03 am

I found this kinda shocking...

ExtremeTech.com

Article wrote:Just as Bungie steps towards independence, BioWare and Pandemic Studios walk away from it, as Electronic Arts announced an agreement with investment firm Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holdings Corp., the parent company of the two studios.

The transition won't be finished until January 2008, but obviously the gears are already in motion to fold the companies into EA Games.

Both Pandemic and BioWare made positive statements about the change in the press release:

"Pandemic Studios remains focused on attracting the best talent and creating blockbuster action games," said Josh Resnick, President and Co-founder of Pandemic Studios. "As a worldwide publishing leader, EA represents the ideal partner to bring our titles to market as global entertainment events."

"We are truly excited by John Riccitiello's new vision for EA," said Ray Muzyka, Co-founder and CEO of BioWare Corp. "This vision is consistent with BioWare's focus on crafting the highest quality story-driven games in the world. It will enable us to further the careers of the passionate, creative and hard working teams at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Austin."

--Alan

chicken n waffles · Post by **chicken n waffles** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:05 am

somebody cashed in

Cereb Daithi · Post by **Cereb Daithi** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:15 am

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! I absolutely hate EA with all that I am. While in my brief stint in the game industry they tried to buy the license to the game I was working on and we wisely said no. The buy out companies, dissolve them, then re-hire the best of the best, and replace the rest with no-pay interns.

It was as if a million voices cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced

"This vision is consistent with BioWare's focus on crafting the highest quality story-driven games in the world. It will enable us to further the careers of the passionate, creative and hard working teams at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Austin."

When was the last time you played a really deep story driven EA game....and they won't be furthering their careers because EA will almost undoubtedly dissolve the company.

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:04 am

because Clear Channel showed us all how great it is when one company controls an industry...

Post by **complacent** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:04 am

Bummer. It all comes down to money.

Phibs · Post by **Phibs** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:46 am

Yeah sadly EA has pretty much ruined every game / company they have bought