Last week, we told you about the new smash hit Draw Something from OMGPOP for iPhone and iPad. The game is still currently sitting in the top spot on the App Store, and it’s not showing any signs of letting up. Additionally, TechCruch told us last week that Draw Something has become the largest game on Facebook by daily active users. Unsurprisingly, everyone’s favourite fat cat developer, Zynga, has apparently taken notice.
Rumor has it that Zynga is in talks to acquire OMGPOP, and at this point, it’s only rumor. Both companies have declined to comment on the speculations. It also looks like there are a few big Japanese names that have one eye fixed on OMGPOP, but they’re not saying anything concerning those rumors either.
What will happen if Zynga does manage to buy OMGPOP? We could be optimistic, and look at how well Newtoy’s Words With Friends did after they purchased the developer for $53M in cash and shares back in 2010. The playerbase exploded, and that game became, and continues to be, immensely popular. On the other hand, Zynga, as we’ve come to realize, is a sleazy tyrant who wants to control the social gaming market, and if the executives at OMGPOP were smart, they’d steer clear of them altogether.
However, if OMGPOP did happen to refuse the alleged offer, I’m fairly certain that that won’t stop Zynga from doing what they’ve done in past: if you can’t beat ‘em, buy ‘em. And if you can’t buy ‘em, copy ‘em. I just sincerely hope that emerging, small-guy developers will choose to tell Zynga to take a hike if they’re ever approached by them. Let’s hope OMGPOP sets a good example.
We’ll have more on this story as it develops.
Source: TechCrunch
