US-based video game company Electronic Arts (EA) is believed to be seeking a potential buyer or merger.

The idea for a buyout or merger came after Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard for US$68 billion early January this year.

Two weeks later, Sony announced a deal to acquire Bungie, the studio behind Destiny for US$3.6 billion.

EA's Potential Buyers

It is reported that Apple has been in talks with the gaming company about a potential acquisition.

Besides Apple, Disney and Amazon have also been in talks with EA.

Disney was EA's first choice, and the gaming company approached Disney in March but Disney decided not to proceed with the purchase.

According to sources, EA prefers a merger so that its chief executive officer, Andrew Wilson can remain head of the company but that could cause issues if Apple decides to acquire EA instead.

This would not be Apple’s first venture into gaming as the Cupertino company launched its own gaming service, Apple Arcade back in 2019.

Apple and the other companies declined to comment and the acquisition status remains unknown for now.

Background of EA

EA is known for its established franchises such as Battlefield, Need for Speed, The Sims, Apex Legends and Star Wars.

EA actually goes a long way back with Apple.

In 1982, Apple’s then director of strategy and marketing, Trip Hawkins, left the company to found EA.