In another major vote of confidence for iOS app developers, Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS) has acquired Chillingo for as much as $80 million.
The publisher of the runaway-hit Angry Birds sold for less than $20 million in cash, according to The Los Angeles Times, but All Things Digital pegs the deal closer to $80 million.
An EA spokesperson confirmed the deal, but declined to comment on the purchase price. The deal comes just eight days after DeNa Co. Ltd. acquired iPhone game maker Ngmoco for up to $400 million.
Last month, the founder of Angry Birds told RCR Unplugged about its plans to turn the property into a TV show. Angry Birds is so popular that when an Android version of the game was first made available exclusively on GetJar it brought the independent app store’s servers down in spectacular fashion.
“By acquiring Chillingo, EA Mobile is increasing its market leadership on the Apple Platform as well as reaffirming its position as the world’s leading wireless entertainment publisher,” EA said in a statement. “This acquisition will combine Chillingo’s expertise in cultivating the ideas of independent developers with EA’s global mobile publishing reach.”