Electronic Arts has announced plans to acquire Titanfall developer Respawn Entertainment.
The deal will reportedly cost the publishing giant a whopping $151 million in cash for the studio, and up to $164 million in long-term equity, and up to $140 million in performance milestone payments.
EA wasn’t the only company interested in Respawn however. Nexon, a South Korean publisher that distributed Titanfall on mobile, had previously put in an offer to buy the company, giving EA 30 days to match it — which they ultimately decided to do.
As part of the deal, EA confirmed that Respawn now has three titles in development: a new Titanfall game, a new Star Wars project, and an unnamed VR experience.
Said Vince Zampella, CEO of Respawn: “We started Respawn with the goal to create a studio with some of the best talent in the industry, and to be a top developer of innovative games. We felt that now was the time to join an industry leader that brings the resources and support we need for long term success, while still keeping our culture and creative freedom […] This is a great next step for Respawn, EA, and our players."
Respawn was founded in 2010 by Zampella and Jason West, both of whom were previously members of Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward.
The original Titanfall was released as an Xbox console exclusive in 2014, with the sequel arriving on PS4, PC, and Xbox One last year.
In related news, EA announced last month that it had shuttered Visceral Games, the studio responsible for Dead Space and Battlefield Hardline.
At the time, the developer was busy working on a new Star Wars game headed by Amy Hennig. However, the project has now been delayed as EA’s internal studios revamp the game from a linear, story-based outing into something that offers a more “broader experience.”