Electronic Arts splashes the cash on free-to-play specialist Bight Games, maker of Trade Nations

Electronic Arts has dipped its hand into its rather large pockets again and purchased freemium specialist Bight Games for an undisclosed sum.

Bight Games is responsible for several free-to-play titles, including the popular iPhone and iPad title Trade Nations. It also worked on NBA Jam for EA.

Speaking about the acquisition, EA's Barry Cottle said: "At EAi, many of us already know Bight as a partner – we have worked with their talented team to develop several of our successful mobile games to date."

"Bight deepens our expertise in one of the fastest-growing segments of mobile games at an important time. We look forward to having them join our team at EAi when the deal closes later this month."

This isn't the first - and probably not the last - time EA has dropped cash on an established mobile developer / publisher.

EA recently bought PopCap for $750 million, acquired Aussie studio Firemint in May, and snapped up Chillingo late last year for a cool $20 million.