Report: EA up for sale

Publishing giant Electronic Arts has put itself up for sale, according to a report.

Sources speaking to the New York Post has claimed that the company has been approached by a number of private equity firms over a potential acquisition, but stressed it was early days.

EA is allegedly valuing the company at $20 a share.

One interested party, Providence, currently also owns another publishing giant, Bethesda, responsible for blockbuster hits such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.

EA has declined to comment when contacted by Develop.

The publishing giant recently reported earnings for Q1 2013 of $955million, down from almost $1billiion during the same period last year.

Physical sales fell from $647m to $592m, although EA’s digital arm reported a growth of over $100m to $342m.

The news of EA’s potential sale also follows reports of Vivendi’s search for a buyer for Acitivision Blizzard, despite it reporting of $1.4bn for Q4 2011.

Barclays and Goldman Sachs were reportedly brought in to brokeer an $8bn deal.