Speaking to the BBC, EA chief executive John Riccitiello was clear that the primary interest EA has in acquiring Take Two Interactive is the company's strong roster of development teams, specifically that of Rockstar Games.
"The big headline here is that our primary interest is in Rockstar and the intellectual properties around Rockstar," Riccitiello said as the April 29 release of Grand Theft Auto IV looms in the distance. Sports gamers have long stated their frustration with the attempted acquisition because it would remove EA's only competitor in the simulation-sports market. Riccitello explained that the sports angle was a secondary thought, "sports games are secondary consideration here," he explained.
While Take Two had declined the initial offer from EA for $2 billion, the acquisition has recently gone hostile. In order to purchase the company from under Take Two executives, EA has put in a cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock for $26 each on last Thursday targeting shareholders. Take Two executives have since asked shareholders to hold out on the offer, which is set to expire on April 11 - a mere 18 days before the launch of the GTAIV cash-cow. With the news that EA is targeting new shareholders that are looking to unload a headache, this news looks to get more interesting by the day.
[Read, Joystiq]
[Read, Next Gen]
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
3-17-2008 @ 6:17PM
Shayneroz said...
The thought of Bioshock 2 surrounded filled Need for Speed-Carbon Underground Pro Street Edition and I can't even fathom what GTA:EA would be like.
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 6:17PM
Shayneroz said...
The thought of Bioshock 2 surrounded filled Need for Speed-Carbon Underground Pro Street Edition and I can't even fathom what GTA:EA would be like.
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 6:28PM
Neuromancer said...
@Adam
"Not to mention shit like apple where its lack of games and programs kill it."
Right, Apple's doing terrible right now. It's because no one wants stable, easy to use, visually attractive computers/MP3 players. Clearly, all computer users buy computers based solely off games.
I'm not sure what you do for a living but you should try your hand at industry analyist, you could be the new Michael Pachter!
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 7:01PM
SadisticHam said...
@ Neuromancer while i agree Apple is doing well, it's only because their appealing to the idiot.
Selling over priced hardware and marketing it to morons, making out it's trendy and hip like the ipod and people lap it up. It's by no means great windows has some advantages over it and vice versa. It's just the cool thing to rebel against windows.
Reply
4-15-2008 @ 6:45AM
Momo said...
If an apple's so good, why do you need to run Windows and Linux?
my window's PC can run both fine, I just chose not to cause there isnt anything on either that takes my interest.
Though I dont feel your an moron for buying an apple.
Now back to the topic on hand, I dont feel that EA should buy Take-2, but who am I to say otherwise, if they do, if people really want to feel better about it then people should just boycott the EA brands...
3-17-2008 @ 7:14PM
45nm said...
Old news...
Isn't EA obese enough already? By the time they acquire T2 (never), it wouldn't surprise me if the company died from a stroke of shitty software. How bout anouncing (something good:) like HP:3 or doing something more productive than just swallowing every developper out there...
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 8:18PM
bloatedfish said...
@SadisticHam - Well the key thing you are forgetting is us "moron" apple users can nowadays enjoy running both OSX, Linux and Windows. The funniest thing being that Windows is generally more stable on a Mac laptop.
So because I'm such a "moron" I now can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Also if I want to upgrade my Macbook's RAM or Hard Drive it doesn't void my warranty unlike with some other laptop manufacturer's. God Dammit I wish I wasn't such a "moron" for buying this Macbook ;)
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 9:03PM
Jon said...
My god I hate EA...yet another AAA franchise for them to destroy.
Say goodbye to GTA as we know it if EA gets ahold of this company. Obviously we'll still see GTA games, but they'll be rushed out the door to maximize profits and we all know that rushed games are suck games.
Not only that, but no more competition in the sports gaming genre.
DEATH TO EA!!!
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 9:18PM
MonkeyShart said...
FUCK YOU FOREVER EA and the horse you rode in on and the one that you will ride out on and with luck it will be on fire, you make me puke in my hands again FUCK YOU
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 10:36PM
alecks said...
I, like most people, dislike ea for their craptastic sequels. Although look at gta 3,VC and SA, - all pretty similar with minor improvements.
Its not EA to blame for the crappy games - ITS the morons who continuously go out and buy them and support the endless sequels. If everyone went out and only bought innovative rpg's, ea would be pumping them out. oh how sweet it would be !
Instead you idiot americans go buy the crap, like halo 3 and madden 08 (2nd quarter edition ;D). Also before you say WHOA - its not just americans, maybe so, but you people have the numbers that make the difference unlike my little island.
Anyways if i was in take two or rockstars shoes i would have taken the money, let the idiots take over and then leave to form my own company. Then this acquisition actually could help produce some good games.
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 11:04PM
Consolcwby said...
As I was reading this, I was eating cookies...now my tum don't feel so good... =S
Actually, I can see the stock holders taking EA's offer IF the offer is large enough. And, although I don't hate EA, I would hate to see less competition in this market. I'm afraid it may only be a matter of time on this one.
Reply
3-17-2008 @ 11:55PM
Halonut1 said...
"GRAND THEFT AUTO 2009: MADDENS REVENGE" "Featuring top EATrax by amazing artists such as kevin federline and my chemical romance."
I swear to god..i have seen the future..and i wish to die.
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 12:10AM
Drago Dracini said...
EA = The antichrist of video games.
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 1:20AM
Wolfster said...
It would help if you guys wouldn't buy EA games! That's how they're managing to stay around. You should also tell your friends to stay away from their products....
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 9:37AM
George Arauz said...
Man.. i got into the wrong business
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 10:22AM
EmptyEnergy said...
Sure its been said before, don't play EA games. Yes I know its hard but the quickest way for the company to hear you is speak with your $$$, instead of typing 'F this', 'F that'. You should be more proactive in a resolution rather than a whiny bastard.
Yes EA is a company that just spews out the same game over and over again, but the community helps it set the 'new sales record'.
Reply
3-18-2008 @ 2:35PM
Josh said...
i'm holding out with my measly 10 shares... for now. dammit, EA. why do you have to pull this crap? for the sake of the industry, STOP
Reply
3-19-2008 @ 4:51AM
EvilWalksWithMe said...
EA will ruin Rockstar. All their great limit pushing games will just turn to crap piled to the brim with advertising!
To be honest, I'd rather see Microsoft buy Take Two than EA!
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 8:50PM
Brian said...
being a fan of the command and conquer series and watching westwood studios being taken over by EA was upsetting, although the new command and conquer games RA2 and Tiberium wars have been great, EA did make generals and renegade (which truly sucked) would have been interesting if Westwood was still around...
EA arent the biggest games developer SEGA are, wish EA would do what mircosoft do buy over the developers but let them do what they do best make quality games!
EA dont do this, they have some terrible titles out there, but some pretty good ones... remeber what Vince McMahon done buying over WCW? no competition now only john cena who cant be compared to the ROCK, Austin, STing or Hollywood hogan, this is whats going to happen to the games industry if were not careful... but will take years yet
Reply