EA Taking a Portion of Ubisoft

Electronic Arts has announced that they are in the process of acquiring 20% of the large video game publisher Ubisoft. This would give them the largest individual block of stock in the company and allow them to have an influencial authority within the French-based publisher. Last year the company did over 500 million Euros in sales and currently has a staff of about 2400. They have development studios around the world, including in Austin, Texas. Also in their possession are the rights to such franchises as Myst, Chessmaster, The Settlers, Prince of Persia, Rayman and all the various Tom Clancy variants.

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) today announced an investment in international game developer and publisher UbiSoft Entertainment, headquartered in Rennes, France. The investment represents approximately 19.9 percent interest in the company -- shares purchased as a block from Talpa Beheer B.V. to be completed upon obtaining antitrust clearance from the U.S. government. Financial terms were not disclosed.