EA purchased Respawn Entertainment, which is the studio behind games like Titanfall. It was a rather sizable transaction at a cool $455 million, with a requirement being a timely arrival of Titanfall 3.
There already was a deep collaboration between the two companies, EA will pay 151 Million USD for the takeover, with additional bonuses and funds once certain targets are reached. Respawn was founded in 2010 by ex-Call of Duty designers Vince Zampella and Jason Ward.
“We started Respawn with the goal to create a studio with some of the best talent in the industry, and to be a top developer of innovative games,” said Vince Zampella, CEO of Respawn Entertainment in a press release. “We felt that now was the time to join an industry leader that brings the resources and support we need for long-term success, while still keeping our culture and creative freedom. EA has been a great partner over the years with Titanfall and Titanfall 2, and we’re excited to combine our strengths. This is a great next step for Respawn, EA, and our players.”
The acquisition gives EA all control over Respawn’s output, with last year’s Titanfall 2 struggling to meet its sales targets after it appeared to compete directly with the release of Battlefield 1 – a mistake we doubt will be repeated. Up-to last week though, Respawn was independent reports Kokatu.
According to various documents, EA outbid the South Korean publisher Nexon, which publishes the Titanfall mobile game and had also made an offer to buy Respawn. EA had 30 days to match that offer, which they chose to do.
Early last year, EA announced that it had contracted Respawn to make a Star Wars action game, in addition to the Battlefront series and what was then planned as a Star Wars action-adventure from Visceral, which has since been canceled. Respawn is also developing the third Titanfall and a virtual reality game for Oculus.
