Zynga ‘in talks to buy Draw Something studio’

Social games giant Zynga wants to acquire Omgpop, the New York based studio responsible for casual games sensation Draw Something, a new report suggests.

According to news site TechCrunch, acquisition talks are at an early stage and it is possible that other companies may be willing to bid for the company.

Zynga has declined to comment.

The buyout speculation comes off the back of a sensational week for Omgpop, with its Pictionary-like game topping Facebook and iOS charts around the world.

It is believed that Omgpop is presently making at least $100,000 per day from the success of its new game.

Independent app data shows that Draw Something has now toppled Zynga’s most popular Facebook game – Words With Friends – by a clear two million daily active users (DAUs).

Omgpop’s most recent funding round raised about $17 million for the company; reserves that were reportedly drying up before Draw Something began to trailblaze.

Zynga tends to spend relatively little on its own acquisitions, usually no more than $10 million on each studio.

Yet it had dug further into its cash reserves in 2010 to buy Words With Friends creator Newtoy in a $53 million cash-and-stock buyout.

Soon after, Words With Friends’ DAU numbers rocketed.