CNBC has learned that AT&T is planning to sell its Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment gaming division, which happens to own Mortal Kombat’s NetherRealm Studios and Rocksteady Studios, of Arkham Asylum/City/Knight fame. Big-name publishers such as Take-Two Interactive Software, Electronic Arts, and Activision Blizzard have reportedly expressed interest in a deal that could be worth $4 billion.
“Many of the video game titles within Warner Bros. Interactive are tied to Warner-owned intellectual property, including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and The Lego Movie, wrote CNBC. “The unit also owns the Mortal Kombat and the Scribblenauts series. A deal might involve a commercial licensing agreement where AT&T can continue to get revenue from its IP, the people said.”
AT&T has racked up a debt of over $150 billion due to its Time Warner purchase in 2018, so it’s pretty obvious where some (or all) of this money would be going if a sell-off did occur. It’s unclear how it would affect titles that are currently in development, such as WB Games Montréal’s rumored Batman title.