Disney Ploughs more Money into Casual Games
Buyout will help Disney capture more Facebook gamers.
Disney's string of high-profile acquisitions show no signs of stopping, as the LA Times reports that the media powerhouse is in talks to buy social gaming developer Playdom.
The move would bolster Disney's reach into the "casual" gaming audience that can be found on websites such as Facebook and MySpace, and follows related acquisitions of online virtual game Club Penguin in 2007 and iPhone developer Tapulous Inc earlier this month.
Apparently the only thing that's stopping the deal from going ahead is price. According to people familiar with the matter, Playdom - which is one of the world's largest social games developers, next to Zynga "FarmVille" Games - has discussed amounts ranging from $400 million to $750 million.
Discussions have been going on for about two months, and the studio has arranged a board meeting to discuss the buyout offer. Disney's involvement in Playdom may factor into its decision - the House of Mickey Mouse is an investor in the developer through its Steamboat Ventures capital fund.
The move would bolster Disney's reach into the "casual" gaming audience that can be found on websites such as Facebook and MySpace, and follows related acquisitions of online virtual game Club Penguin in 2007 and iPhone developer Tapulous Inc earlier this month.
Apparently the only thing that's stopping the deal from going ahead is price. According to people familiar with the matter, Playdom - which is one of the world's largest social games developers, next to Zynga "FarmVille" Games - has discussed amounts ranging from $400 million to $750 million.
Discussions have been going on for about two months, and the studio has arranged a board meeting to discuss the buyout offer. Disney's involvement in Playdom may factor into its decision - the House of Mickey Mouse is an investor in the developer through its Steamboat Ventures capital fund.
Companies:
Disney Interactive
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