Report: Microsoft, EA mull bid for Sega
Reuters | at | by Mike
Microsoft and Electronic Arts are separately exploring the possibility of buying all or part of Japanese videogame maker Sega, the Asian Wall Street Journal said on Friday. Sega said earlier this month that it would merge with pinball-style 'pachinko' game machine maker Sammy, abandoning plans to restructure on its own and turning to financially sound Sammy for help.
The paper said either U.S. company could emerge as Sega's White Knight, pulling the company away from a merger plan that appears rife with difficulties and internal opposition. Microsoft has asked at least one U.S. investment bank to investigate ways it could buy all or part of Sega, while EA in recent weeks has approached Japanese game makers about launching a joint bid for Sega, the paper said. Acquiring Sega could give Microsoft a strong boost in Japan, where a dearth of Xbox games that appeal to Japanese consumers has left a vast stock of unsold consoles.