Following yesterday’s revelations that EA was paid ‘truck loads’ of cash by Apple to delay the launch of Android version of Plants vs. Zombies 2, both the companies have taken a defensive stance denying any such transaction.
Frank Gibeau, head of EA Labels, allegedly revealed to employees of EA during an internal meeting that “Apple gave us a truckload of money to delay the Android version [of Plants vs Zombies 2].”
Within 24 four hours of this alleged statement hitting the press EA has come out with an official statement saying that there is no such relationship between the two companies. “A comment from an internal meeting taken out of context has created an unfortunate misunderstanding. Reports of a paid relationship between Apple and EA are factually inaccurate, and we apologize for any confusion.”
Apple hasn’t been known to have entered into such deals before and most of its co-marketing agreements are known to be straight deals without any under the table arrangements. In Plants vs. Zombies 2 case, Apple is also singing the same song and has denied that any money changed hands.
It is not unusual for companies to strike marketing deals which lead to development of exclusive titles and considering that the sequel to Plants vs. Zombies was one of the most anticipated games of the year, such a deal may not be ruled out.
