Chillingo, publisher of several iconic iPhone and Android titles including Angry Birds, Cut the Rope and Cogs, was acquired today by Electronic Arts Inc.
While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the L.A. Times is reporting that the purchase price went for less than $20 million. Angry Birds’ developer Rovio was not part of the transaction.
The sale of Chillingo is the latest in a wave of significant acquisitions of mobile application developers by larger gaming and media companies. Earlier this month, social gaming company ngmoco – publisher of We Rule, Touch Pet Dogs and other popular titles – was acquired by Japanese gaming company DeNA for $400 million.
In July, Disney acquired pioneering iPhone developer Tapulous for an undisclosed sum. Tapulous, creator of the popular “tap tap” digital percussion apps around bands ranging from Katy Perry to Metallica, gives Disney a significant mobile app library in addition to the extensive talent the company assembled.
Chillingo has been in the mobile gaming space in 2002. The company is a prolific publisher of games on the iPhone, iPad, Android and multiple mobile platforms. Last Spring, Chillingo co-founder Joe Wee shared his thoughts on the mobile gaming space during an interview with Appolicious.
Angry Birds, which debuted on the Android platform last week, is arguably the first iPhone-conceived media property to crossover as a hit in other media properties including merchandising and proposed feature films and television programs.
Stay tuned for continued developments and a purchase-price verification in the hours and days ahead.
