EA purchasing mobile publisher Chillingo

EA is climbing to the top of the casual and iPhone game spaces — by buying companies who are already at the top of those spaces. Reuters reports that EA is purchasing Chillingo, publisher of iOS hits like Cut the Rope (pictured), iDracula and (in the UK) Angry Birds.

EA confirmed the purchase to Reuters, but declined to confirm the reported $20 million buying price. Even if EA just grabs a few falling feathers — solid golden feathers, of course — from the hugely popular Angry Birds, the deal would be totally worth it, right? Besides, $20 million sounds like a steal compared to the $300 million (with another $100 million contingent on performance) EA splayed out for Playfish.