EA Shares jump at talk of Microsoft buyout

Microsoft are taking a look at Electronic Arts with an eye to purchase according to rumors on the stock market.

Shares of Electronic Arts jumped more than 4 percent to $19.36 today amid talk in both the US and Europe that Microsoft is interested in buying the firm. Microsoft shares were up 0.9 percent at $26 on Wednesday, also.

Although only a rumor, this one aparrently carries enough weight to have a notable effect on the shares of EA, who have recently been surpassed by rivals Activision Blizzard.

EA are the publishers of RPGs such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Warhammer Online, and own Bioware, arguably the most prolific Western RPG studio.