Electronic Arts has acquired Digital Illusions CE (DICE), the development team and creators of the BATTLEFIELD game franchise. Stockholm, Sweden-based 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.
"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."
DICE ceo Patrick Soderlund 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."
Soderlund becomes an EA Studio gm, maintaining responsibility for the DICE studio and taking on additional creative responsibilities. Members of the DICE leadership team will continue in their roles in Stockholm.
The acquisition was completed via a merger, with 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 Oct. 16, 2006.
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, EA, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO. 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.
