We know that EA are at the top of the tree when it comes to sports simulations, and we know that they’ve done pretty well for themselves with other ventures too, notably titles like Titanfall and Apex Legends. We also know that Codemasters have absolutely dominated the racing games scene, providing players a host of great adrenaline-fuelled moments. Now though the two combine as Electronic Arts and Codemasters go about establishing themselves as a new global powerhouse for racing games.
EA have today announced the completion of their purchase of Codemasters, with each ordinary share purchased coming in at 604 pence. That in turn values the aquisition at a cool 1.2 billion USD.
The purchase of Codies by EA ensures that one company gets access to some of the highest tier talent in the industry, bringing together Codemasters’ expertise across F1 – F1 2020 being a masterclass in racing titles – DIRT, GRID, DiRT Rally and Project CARS, with EA’s options in the Need For Speed franchise and mobile scene. Throw in the chance for Codemasters to get access to EA’s commercial resources, technology and a player network that is half a billion strong, and there is certainly much excitement to be had.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new era for racing games and content as we bring together the talented teams at Electronic Arts and Codemasters,” said Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts. “Racing fandom continues to grow worldwide, and the franchises in our combined portfolio will enable us to create innovative new experiences and bring more players into the excitement of cars and motorsport. Our teams will be a global powerhouse in racing entertainment, with amazing games for players on every platform, and we can’t wait to get started.”
“Today is a landmark in Codemasters’ history, and an exciting day for our employees and players,” said Frank Sagnier, CEO of Codemasters. “The partnership with EA will enable our teams to take our highly-acclaimed franchises to new heights and reach a huge global audience through their player network. Together we can redefine the landscape of racing games to create even more compelling experiences for racing fans around the world.”
The acquisition of Codemasters is part of Electronic Arts’ growth strategy focused on delivering more exceptional experiences and top live services, which in turn should then reach more players on more platforms around the world. But what do you think about it? Is it a good move for the gamer? Let us know in the comments. And if you want to know all the gritty details, check out EA’s Investor page.