Update: Forum MODs have just confirmed for us that this was an April Fool's joke. That's strange though because we could have sworn it was still March. Thanks for wasting every body's time!
Confident they'll soon be the owners of all things Take Two Interactive, Electronic Arts has made a push to acquire GTANet.com, one of the largest Grand Theft Auto communities online (which is comprised of 11 different GTA based websites). According to reports, EA has acquired the site, including all domains associated and all statistical information about its members (as listed in the above email scan from EA to GTANet owners found by WhatIfGaming), for $3.4 million as of March 22.
If true, Electronic Arts would have one of the largest databases of information of any Grand Theft Auto community available. Speculation aside, we wonder how important this information is to EA if they were to acquire Take Two.
While the owners of the GTANet have not posted an official confirmation on the matter, the GTAForums.com logo has been changed to incorporate the EA insignia adding fuel to the fire. With this supposed acquisition we wonder Take Two acquisition press release is being edited as we speak.
[Thanks, Chris]
[Read, full email scan]
[Read, GTAForums New Logo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-24-2008 @ 5:46PM
Dan_C said...
That's a big chunk of change for a fan site
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 5:51PM
Xav de Matos said...
@Dan_C: It's actually a network of 11 GTA based websites. I edited that into the article.
Apologizes for the confusion.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 5:57PM
slash said...
Smells bogus to me.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 5:58PM
Robert said...
They are covering their backs, they are trying to be ready for when EA transform the GTA franchise to garbage, they will have the list of all possible suspects when something bad happens to EA headquarters, jaja
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:09PM
muffin man said...
Wow that's scary.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:19PM
HaywireAcorn said...
EA is a dangerous company I believe. I won't buy GTA IV if they get their grubby little hands on it. They will just find some way to exploit it. (Micro-Transactions for sure.)
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:23PM
Microswirl said...
EA only has a month left to coerce stockholders and get all the fake parody ads in GTA4 changed to real ads for Doritos and Madden. Can they pull it off? I dunno about you all, but my finger is hovering over the "boycott" button, ready to strike!
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:25PM
mcwattersm said...
THIS IS THE END OF THE WORLD!
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:33PM
YouSlippin said...
I bet its april fools joke in progress.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:35PM
Jeff Tronti said...
I will continue to boycott EA.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:39PM
Espiox said...
Wow, this is so obviously an April Fools joke it's unbelievable.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 6:55PM
Gamer_001 said...
Even if EA did end up getting Take Two, its not going to effect GTA 4. Since the game is coming out in about a month, they wouldnt have time to do anything anyways since its going to be in manufacturing soon if not already.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 7:04PM
Russ Tundra said...
lol thats right Espiox! I think TT leaked this too. there is no paperwork showing EA looking to buy take Two! lmao! this is bogus! I can't wait for GTA Version of NHL 08. Sidney Crosby Stealing Cars and Smoking Marijuana.. or how bout "EATT" Electronic Arts Take Two Make a Hard Core Dog Fighting Game named after good 'ole boy Mike Vick. You'll be able to go be a ball hogging QB out on the field on Sunday and come home and put a chihuahua up against a Bull dog Monday night. that would be an awesome Superstar mode! Bringing it to their homes! LMAO!
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 7:27PM
Knight Marquise said...
If EA succeeds in their hostile takeover of Take Two....I'll have to cancel my pre-order of GTA IV. Sad, so sad...
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 7:28PM
UNSCleric said...
God I hate EA.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 7:47PM
oo7ev said...
Will I have to buy MS points to post in the forum?
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 7:58PM
xenocidic said...
T2 shareholders would have to be stupid to accept the current offer. The shares are going to skyrocket in the coming months.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 8:15PM
dirt junkie said...
if this is true and please god tell me its not, this is a sad day for gaming!
I HATE EA SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 10:06PM
Adam said...
This is a good thing.Then the ps3 rockstar exclusives will be shit.
Sell Take Two Sell Please
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 11:13PM
Xav de Matos said...
It might be an April Fool's joke. But it would be a sad thing.
Why? April Fools jokes happen in April, and if the GTANet people aren't smart enough to come up with something to trick people on the right day, injecting false news is a poor approach to gaining respectable publicity.
Reply