Korean free-to-play firm Nexon supposedly contacts Battlefield publisher with purchase offer; EA shares surge on the rumor.

Korean free-to-play game company Nexon (MapleStory, Combat Arms) has reportedly made an offer to purchase FIFA, Battlefield, and Mass Effect publisher Electronic Arts, according to a Bloomberg video report.

Is EA for sale?

The Bloomberg report cites an unnamed South Korean newspaper with the news and does not elaborate on the potential deal in any way. An EA representative told GameSpot, "Only comment here would be that we don't comment on rumors or speculation about our business." Nexon chimed in on the matter, too, telling GameSpot, "Nexon's policy is to never comment on rumors."

EA's shares are responding positively to the rumor, as the company's single-share value opened today at $15.76, well ahead of the $15.01 it closed at yesterday. As of press time, EA is trading at $15.81 per share.

Last week, a report indicated EA was planning to lay off as many as 1,000 staffers after underwhelming Star Wars: The Old Republic sales and an expensive Battlefield 3 postlaunch marketing campaign. EA's fiscal year ended on March 31, and the company will report its full-year fiscal results on May 7.

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