Electronic Arts Buys Popcap Games

Aside from the fun I'm having creating EA–PopCap hybrids, today's news isn't entirely unexpected. We already knew that PopCap Games was in talks with a company interested in purchasing the casual games developer for a cool BILLION. Even if you had your money on Electronic Arts shelling out for the house zombies, unicorns, and jewels built, I doubt you've hit a jackpot large enough to buy your own PopCap Games.

Electronic Arts announced today that they've purchased PopCap Games for more than one billion dollars in cash and stock. EA CEO John Riccitello seems pretty pleased:

EA and PopCap are a compelling combination. PopCap's great studio talent and powerful IP add to EA's momentum and accelerate our drive towards a $1 billion digital business. EA's global studio and publishing network will help PopCap rapidly expand their business to more digital devices, more countries, and more channels.

PopCap Games CEO David Roberts also seems pleased… what with all the cash in his pockets:

We picked EA because they have recast their culture around making great digital games. By working with EA, we'll scale our games and services to deliver more social, mobile, casual fun to an even bigger, global audience.

More information will surely come out of EA's investor call this evening, but until then, continue mixing EA and PopCap franchises in the comments. Me? I just hope EA doesn't swallow PopCap up and destroy their talent like they did with PlayFish a while back.