Multiple sources believe Plants vs. Zombies publisher PopCap is "in the process" of being acquired by an unnamed rival for more than $1 billion.

According to TechCrunch, though the company behind the move is yet to be unearthed, the acquisition is common knowledge in some circles, with Zynga just one of many prime suspects.

Cast of contenders

Other names in the hat include EA and Chinese internet portal service Tencent, while PocketGamer.biz would note that Activision may also consider PopCap a worthy purchase.

TechCrunch itself speculates that, with annual sales in the region of $100 million or more (around 30 percent of which are generated on mobile markets), a $1 billion purchase fee would come in at 10 times multiple – a figure that could well put it out of reach of smaller firms such as Zynga.

It had been reported that PopCap, which also boasts the Bejeweled franchise, was considering an initial public offering (IPO) before the end of 2011, having already filed a Section 12 registration.

"Whenever you file an S12, you're pretty much guaranteed that someone will come and try to buy you," president David Roberts said at the time.

"Our goal is not about an exit at PopCap. It's about creating this legacy of games that mean as much as Monopoly and Scrabble to the world."

[source: TechCrunch]