Vivendi to sell its games division?

Reuters reports a rumor of Vivendi selling to one of the three giants in the game industry.

Sources have reported to Reuters that Vivendi may possibly be selling their games division which includes Blizzard to one of the big boys in the biz such as EA, Microsoft, and Sony.

Vivendi Universal V.N has held talks with at least three potential suitors to sell its video game arm but no deal is believed to be near, according to banking sources familiar with the situation.

Vivendi Universal Games has talked to Microsoft, Sony, and Electronic Arts about a possible acquisition, though those conversations were described by the sources as preliminary.

The talks come as Vivendi Universal Entertainment, which encompasses the Franco-American conglomerate's TV, film, music, theme park and game assets, has itself been the subject of a takeover bid, with oilman Marvin Davis spearheading a deal worth about $15 billion for the unit.

Of course, nobody from those big three would give comments on the rumors at this point, but this is a big deal here. This isn't just a deal to get a developer, this is one of the big publishers along with a ton of development. Don't expect to see anything happen until January when the Vivendi board meets next.

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