Take-Two: More companies want to buy us

18 Comments by Kyle Orland Feb 29th 2008 2:30PM
Filed under: Business

Like that hot catholic school girl with a penchant for acting tough, everyone seems to want a piece of Take-Two these days. The Associated Press is reporting on a recent SEC filing in which the company reveals its been approached with a few "informal indications of interest in a business combination" since EA's unsolicited buyout offer earlier this week. It makes sense ... after all, when if the most popular guy in school (read: EA) gets turned down by a relatively popular girl (read: Take-Two), then everyone else suddenly thinks they have a chance with her.

Like that goth girl with the spiked choker and way too much black mascara, though, Take-Two is acting like it doesn't want the attention. The filing goes on to say that the company "has not engaged in any substantive discussions with any party (including EA) with respect to a business combination." At least they're being direct about their lack of interest. Everyone knows the best way to ruin a business rep is by being a merger tease.

Tags: acquisition, business, buyout, EA, merge, merger, SEC, T2, take-two, takeover

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

arleigh.sandoc: Feb 29th 2008; 2:45PM

I wouldn't be surprised if one of these other "Secret" potential buyers was and still Microsoft.

Nick the Hero of Canton: Feb 29th 2008; 3:15PM

And Sony.

Aj Collins: Feb 29th 2008; 4:42PM

I would much rather have Microsoft or Sony have Take-Two than EA. Though it could cause tension between Microsoft or Sony and EA as 2K is competing with EA in terms of sports games.

arleigh.sandoc: Feb 29th 2008; 4:55PM

Microsoft as a company may be more amenable to selling off the sports 2K brand to another publisher to keep EA from getting all verklempt if they do decide to make a push to acquire Take-Two. Sony already has its own sports brand titles and adding Take-Two's 2K sports dev team would help Sony is competing with EA's sports brand. Microsoft pretty much gave up in trying to compete with EA in the sports market as a way to get EA to sign up their titles for XBLive.

Business Journalist: Feb 29th 2008; 5:24PM

Do you really think Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo would dare upset EA? After all, EA killed the Dreamcast by refusing to support it, and the console makers remember this. There is no way they will upset EA by counter bidding.

My bet is on big media as having an interest.

Check out what this business journalist has to say about it...

http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/2008/02/who_are_those_possible_taketwo.php

Nick the Hero of Canton: Feb 29th 2008; 7:03PM

EA apparently wanted Lionhead, but Microsoft got them instead too.

Thank God, after what EA did to Maxis and Bullfrog, it makes me :( to think it almost happened to Lionhead and Take Two.

baby sea tuna: Feb 29th 2008; 2:48PM

The Motley Fool had an interesting blurb about this the other day:

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/02/27/your-move-activision.aspx?terms=take+two&vstest=search_042607_linkdefault

NATO_Duke: Feb 29th 2008; 2:50PM

Thats what they all say T2....You big tease!

Reuben: Feb 29th 2008; 2:50PM

That was brilliantly written.

My hat is off to you, Mr. Orland.

Cyro: Feb 29th 2008; 3:18PM

I thought so too.

deaftly: Feb 29th 2008; 2:51PM

Yeah I think we all know its Microsoft. GTA4 exclusive coming to a 360 near you.

Fernando Rocker: Feb 29th 2008; 2:57PM

Joystiq... you should buy Take-Two... =p

Marty: Feb 29th 2008; 3:17PM

Nintendo buys Take-Two - GTA4 for 360 and PS3 canceled, clean version (with carjacking mini-games) released on Wii. You heard it here first.

Mr Khan: Feb 29th 2008; 4:22PM

It's not impossible, Nintendo more than has the capital, but its not Nintendo's style to eat development teams for breakfast. Last developer they acquired was Monolith (formerly of BanDaiNamco), and they moved to wholly own Game Freak (Pokemon)

They could, and Take-Two's dev assets (Rockstar, 2K Sports, Irrational) would perfectly round out Nintendo's assets, but its not their style

ChapmanTheFool: Feb 29th 2008; 4:33PM

Tell me more my good man!

Marty: Feb 29th 2008; 4:46PM

It really should go without saying, but I was kidding, Mr Khan.

hvnlysoldr: Mar 1st 2008; 9:36PM

Swat Kats sappin' your sarcasm.

arleigh.sandoc: Feb 29th 2008; 3:32PM

Really even with Sony's Blu-Ray winning the format war it doesn't necessarily translate to Sony suddenly netting billions upon billions of net profit. Of all the companies in the industry who can afford to throw a billion or two at a company without batting an eye only Microsoft can do it.

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