Apparently, it didn't take them very long to consider Electronic Arts' somewhat hostile buyout proposal -- Take-Two's Board of Directors just responded to the offer with a press release of their own, stating that EA CEO John Riccitiello's proposal was "inadequate in multiple respects and not in the best interests of Take-Two's stockholders."
While EA's proposal listed Grand Theft Auto IV as a primary reason for the merger, as Riccitiello claimed EA could lend their help during the game's quickly approaching release, Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two's executive chairman, listed GTAIV as the primary reason why they wouldn't want to merge at this point in time, fully expecting to increase their overall value when the game hits store shelves come April 29.
Zelnick's laundry list of reasons why the buyout wouldn't benefit his company can be found on the press release. For now, let us rejoice in the postponement of the seemingly inevitable future where one superconglomerated gaming publisher/developer controls all game releases on the planet.
Update: MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo just had a chat with industry guru Michael Pachter, who claims that this probably isn't the end of the ordeal, and that EA will eventually get their way -- though it might not happen for a while.
Reader Comments (57)
Posted: Feb 25th 2008 9:29AM darkinchworm said
Looks like Take 2 attacked EA's weak point for massive damage.
Posted: Feb 25th 2008 9:55AM darkinchworm said
also
This was a triumph.
^_^
This was a triumph.
^_^
Posted: Feb 25th 2008 11:35AM Batzarro The worlds WOrst Detect said
Take Two is on the verge of releasing a big blockbuster...and EA thinks they are gonna sell? Sure, sure...
Posted: Feb 25th 2008 11:51AM Cesc said
Imagine if EA gets Take-Two (They will) and decides to make a console. They could easily say no to MS and Sony for ALL sports games (2K & EA Sports). That would be the start of the VideoGame industry collapse.
Posted: Feb 25th 2008 5:37PM Slaziman said
Why the EA hate? A lot of their games are pretty good. Besides if they bought Take2 it would still be the same Rockstar making GTA, just under a different umbrella.
Posted: Feb 25th 2008 7:40PM (Unverified) said
An online petition has started for those of us who do not want Take Two to sell to EA.
http://www.petitiononline.com/t2ea000/petition.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/t2ea000/petition.html
Posted: Feb 26th 2008 9:53AM (Unverified) said
I hate to say it, but I think GTA IV is going to under perform in relation to expectations.
When the GTA series hit ps2, open world gameplay was revolutionary. I think the novelty has worn off due to so many open world games being on the market.
Don't get me wrong, GTA IV will likely be the best open world game to date, but personally I dont feel the same level of excitement I used to over this type of game.
Many of my friends feel the same way.
If I'm right, Take 2 will be sorry they did not accept an offer that caused their stock to jump 46%.
When the GTA series hit ps2, open world gameplay was revolutionary. I think the novelty has worn off due to so many open world games being on the market.
Don't get me wrong, GTA IV will likely be the best open world game to date, but personally I dont feel the same level of excitement I used to over this type of game.
Many of my friends feel the same way.
If I'm right, Take 2 will be sorry they did not accept an offer that caused their stock to jump 46%.
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