Electronics Arts Buys Digital Illusions

Gigantic video game house Electronic Arts has snatched up Sweden's Digital Illusions, makers of the Battlefield game series, for about $24 million.

The world’s largest video game publisher, Electronic Arts, has snapped up another one of its game development partners, this time paying 175.5 million SEK (about $24 million USD) to acquire Sweden’s Digital Illusions CE (DICE). Digital Illusions develop’s the Battlefield game franchise for EA; last month, the company’s announced Battlefield: Bad Company will hit the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 in 2007.

DICE will continue to be located in Sweden and develop the Battlefield franchise, as well as collaborate with EA on new game products for next-generation game consoles and PCs.

“EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly talented people and a globally recognized game franchise,” said Paul Lee, President of EA’s Worldwide Studios in a statement. “The DICE studio has strong opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other new products. We’re confident that our creative approach and business leadership principles are well matched to share future success.”