F1 game to EA: "This is the start of an exciting new era"

US computer game company Electronic Arts (EA) has acquired video game developer Codemasters, which publishes F1 games, among others. The takeover, which became official on Thursday, is worth 1.2 billion dollars.

With the takeover of Codemasters, EA expands its sports portfolio considerably. EA titles include FIFA football, Madden NFL and the Need for Speed racing games. "This is the beginning of an exciting new era for racing games and content as we bring together the talented teams at Electronic Arts and Codemasters," EA CEO Andrew Wilson told Motorsport.com.

"Racing fandom continues to grow worldwide, and the franchises in our combined portfolio will enable us to create innovative new experiences and bring more players into the excitement of cars and motorsport," Wilson continued. "Our teams will be a global powerhouse in racing entertainment, with amazing games for players on every platform, and we can't wait to get started."

At Codemasters, they are also delighted with the acquisition by EA. "Today is a landmark in Codemasters' history, and an exciting day for our employees and players," says Frank Sagnier, CEO of Codemasters. "The partnership with EA will enable our teams to take our highly-acclaimed franchises to new heights and reach a huge global audience through their player network. Together we can redefine the landscape of racing games to create even more compelling experiences for racing fans around the world."