Microsoft to buy EA?

First, a disclaimer: this is just a rumor, so get your saltshakers ready. All set? Okay. Rumor has it that Microsoft is gunning for a takeover of video game publishing giant Electronic Arts.

First, a disclaimer: this is just a rumor, so get your saltshakers ready. All set? Okay. Rumor has it that Microsoft is gunning for a takeover of video game publishing giant Electronic Arts.

So, does this mean Madden exclusively for the Xbox 360? Microsoft won’t comment. EA has also not yet said anything about the rumor, which pretty much just sprung up suddenly on Reuters thanks to this statement from options strategist Frederic Ruffy:

There’s talk that Microsoft might be interested in acquiring Electronic Arts. It’s unsubstantiated chatter, but it’s out there.

Unsubstantiated it may be, but it’s already had an effect. Reuters reports that EA’s shares jumped more than 4 percent following the rumors.

If this turns out to be true it could be one of the biggest coups in Microsoft’s gaming forays in recent years. Still, I can’t quite reconcile these two facts: A, Microsoft likes exclusives, and B, EA loves multiplatform releases.

What do you guys think?

Via Reuters