Rumor: EA to acquire PopCap Games

Rumors arose yesterday that social gaming giant PopCap Games was entertaining an acquisition proposal valued over $1 billion from an unnamed buyer. Today, TechCrunch is reporting that buyer to be none other than Electronic Arts.

claims two sources have confirmed EA to be in 'late stage acquisition discussions' to pick up PopCap Games, a mobile and social gaming developer best known for colossal successes like Bejeweled, Peggle and Plants vs Zombies. If true, this would represent a bold financial move on EA's part to bump up EA's street cred (and cash) in the booming casual gaming market.

According toTMCnet, this isn't the first time EA and PopCap Games have crossed paths. All three PopCap Games founders - John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka – worked for the EA-owned gaming outlet pogo.com before starting PopCap Games. After firing up the new studio, the three attempted to sell its then unknown Bejeweled game to EA for $60,000, but were rejected. Perhaps the fact that Bejeweled has become one of the most successful casual games of our generation is a small reason why EAis reported tonowbe doing adouble take?