EA tipped for Chillingo acquisition

The booming casual games sector could be on the verge of another blockbuster acquisition, with rumours claiming that EA is preparing a swoop for successful iPhone publisher Chillingo.

All Things Digital claims that EA is close to finalising a deal, though adds that several suitors remain in the shadows waiting for the chance to strike. Names include Intel, Gameloft, DeNA, Activision and even Microsoft.

The purchase price is vague – estimates point to anything between $80 and $200m.

Chillingo’s biggest hit to date is undoubtedly iPhone hit Angry Birds, which has shifted in excess of 6.5m units on iPhone, a further 2m on Android and even won the affections of UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

The firm has also enjoyed recent success with puzzler Cut the Rope.

There has been a flurry of similar activity in recent weeks with Japanese firm DeNA swooping for Ngmoco, Disney acquiring Tapulous and Playdom and EA itself gobbling up Playfish.