Videogame Maker Take-Two Interactive to Buy Zynga in $12.7 Billion Deal

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.

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has reached a deal to buy

Zynga Inc.

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in a $12.7 billion deal that would unite two videogame companies with a presence across gaming platforms.

The cash-and-stock deal would value mobile game maker Zynga at about $12.7 billion. Zynga stockholders would receive compensation of about $9.86 for each Zynga share that they own, including $3.50 in cash and $6.36 of Take-Two stock.

That is about a 64% premium to Zynga’s stock price of $6.00 as of Friday’s close. Zynga shares were up nearly 50% in Monday premarket trading.

Zynga’s games include “FarmVille” and “Words With Friends,” titles that showcased how videogames could blend entertainment with a social-media ethos.

Take-Two makes titles such as “Grand Theft Auto,” “Civilization” and “Red Dead Redemption.”

The deal is expected to close between April and June.

Zynga headquarters in San Francisco. Zynga’s games include “FarmVille” and “Words With Friends.”