EA Officially Proposes Take-Two Buy Out

[MindCorrupt]

 

EA arent stupid, they wouldnt do too much to jeopardize one of the most popular and best selling game franchises ever. I'd say they'd give more funding for the future of the series without too much in the way of interfering with the devopment with it.

 

Where as T2 sports on the other hand I couldnt really say, but it doesnt sound good because of EA's sport franchises.

 

Either way, I dont see how EA arent creating a monopoly in the gaming buisness, after Take Two...whats next?

[forkboy]

Exactly. I see nothing wrong with this for the gamers, in fact it'd probably be better. Chances are we'd all be playing GTA IV right now if it were in EA's pocket.

As much as I'd obviously love to be playing GTA IV right now, I'm more than happy to wait while they ease out any critical bugs which could possibly have made it on to the gold discs. The fact is tha I am worried about EA's track record. I've already sworn off buying any Madden games for the forseeable future after the massive disappointment of Madden 08, especially with the way PC development of Madden has actually regressed since Madden 04 & 05, in the era of next gen games.

 

EA are well known for the fact that they basically have developers in crunch mode from week 2 of a development until the game goes gold, and this has a huge impact on the developers themself, and that falls back as an impact on the game. When someone is working 14 hour days mistakes are made.

 

And the other problem is simply that if this purchase were to go through it would see EA owning a huge number of financially successful franchises, from The Sims to C&C, Madden to GTA, Burnout to Medal Of Honor. That's really not healthy for video games fans, a lack of competition ALWAYS leads to the product falling off. Best example of that would be Madden after the death of the 2K football games.

 

There's alot of video game players who just hate EA for some reason. That's so stupid. But there are plenty of legitamite reasons for being wary about EA & their track record and any effect this could have on Grand Theft Auto games of the future.

[Democrab]

This is horrendous news, I physically feel sick..like I just got hit in the face with a pane of glass.

Don't go too far .

 

But seriously, why would this be a problem? T2 has no say in what R* does game wise, they just fund them, T2 has approx. $262 million, EA has $2.951 billion... See what I mean? This is going to be brilliant, much more funding for R*!

Look at Sims, Sims 1 was good, but that was mainly done by the old MAXIS team of EA, now look at it, its still kinda fun, but we have Give us money! stuff packs, and its obvious the original Maxis team has almost nothing to do with it, Sure, Sims 2 is still kind of fun, but not in the way sims 1 was, which kept me playing for year's, now I barely play Sims 2.

 

If EA buys Take 2, we'd have a new GTA every year, absolutely no beta testing (Or what seems like it) so we'd have bugs here, there and everywhere, and we'd have expansion packs ala London probably.

[Spuds725]

Hurray-- I just sold my Take Two Interactive stock today-- purchased for $12.97/share, sold for $26--- 100% profit on my investment-- made about $2200 I was hoping to sell it for about $20/share when IV came out... getting out now... I'm not greedy.

[ryuclan]

Hurray-- I just sold my Take Two Interactive stock today-- purchased for $12.97/share, sold for $26--- 100% profit on my investment-- made about $2200 I was hoping to sell it for about $20/share when IV came out... getting out now... I'm not greedy.

lol Thats how much EA were paying for them....you sell to EA? Anyway it doesnt matter, and its none of my business.

[GM Dude]

EA arent stupid, they wouldnt do too much to jeopardize one of the most popular and best selling game franchises ever. I'd say they'd give more funding for the future of the series without too much in the way of interfering with the devopment with it.

I wouldn't count on that.

E.A. has already helped botch up some notable franchises, just look

at SimCity Societies, for instance.

[Slamman]

\/ down

Edited February 29, 2008 by Slamman

[Slamman]

I'm a GM Dude too (I've owned only GM cars!), but I disagree that a company with as long a track record as EA be judged slowly on it's latter day growing problems. I hate to rehash the news of the conference keynotes, they're found online if one looks, but in summation, they plan to solve internal issues with past management to help foster the game companies working under EA.

 

>quote from EAT Take 2 site.... I didn't notice the joke was supposed to be EA/Take2, and of course has double meaning!>

In a recent presentation, I told a group of developers that our industry is facing big challenges. Development costs are rising dramatically and games that aren’t big hits struggle to reach profitability. Most independent studios don’t have much margin for error. The result has been consolidation – large publishers are merging and independent developers are more amenable to being acquired. Unfortunately, our industry has a spotty record on integrating creative teams. We’ve all heard the stories about teams that got mismanaged in a merger – I know I’ve got a few.

 

This is the statement I was viewing on the keynote ^ I don't recall which link it was but it was official. I wasn't sure we can trust some of the 'dummy' site links that pop up from time to time.

 

If EA get GTA, billboard advertising will be too much to resist for them, theyll whore it out with sh*tty ads for subway and ads for NFL '08 and all their other bullsh*t.

Not GTA, but Midnight Club!, I would put my money there!

Edited February 29, 2008 by Slamman

[Spuds725]

 

Hurray-- I just sold my Take Two Interactive stock today-- purchased for $12.97/share, sold for $26--- 100% profit on my investment-- made about $2200    I was hoping to sell it for about $20/share when IV came out... getting out now... I'm not greedy.

lol Thats how much EA were paying for them....you sell to EA? Anyway it doesnt matter, and its none of my business.

I was holding for the GTA IV bump... bought it over a year ago... did the same thing the year before SA came out... my price was met-- what can I say, I'm a money whore...

 

the exact price I sold for was $26.63-- 153 shares.

[Vanilla Shake]

If EA get GTA, billboard advertising will be too much to resist for them, theyll whore it out with sh*tty ads for subway and ads for NFL '08 and all their other bullsh*t.

Not GTA, but Midnight Club!, I would put my money there!

Or they could combine Need for Shitpeed and Midnight Club together to form one, ultra-sh*tty racing game that has an "expansion" rushed out year after year.

 

Even if they didn't combine them, I could definitely see them putting EA billboards into Midnight Club.

[Slamman]

I'm pretty much broke and in the hole, with no job, can you spare a few hundred dimes??

[kfcrulez21]

Good news for at least a little while

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews...20080229?rpc=44

 

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Take-Two Interactive Software Inc's TTWO.O> CEO said on Tuesday that major shareholders support the video game publisher's decision to reject a $1.9 billion takeover bid by bigger rival Electronic Arts Inc, which they see as "woefully low."

 

 

 

 

[Slamman]

Now Jack Thompson offers to help EA buy them out to oust Zelnick!

 

I noted Andy was wondering why this would be the case, well, in my mind he wants some re-organization so that he can defuse/reverse the trend of games like GTA coming out from the company in advance. His ideas as an outsider who I am sure doesn't play ANY video games are rather immature as it appears he expects some sort of control over content I assume with this maneuver.

[kfcrulez21]

Now Jack Thompson offers to help EA buy them out to oust Zelnick!

 

I noted Andy was wondering why this would be the case, well, in my mind he wants some re-organization so that he can defuse/reverse the trend of games like GTA coming out from the company in advance. His ideas as an outsider who I am sure doesn't play ANY video games are rather immature as it appears he expects some sort of control over content I assume with this maneuver.

Ea just got done slamming Jack Thompson

 

 

Mr. Thompson,

 

We have received your letter to EA’s shareholder site. In response to your offer to assist in the proposed acquisition of Take-Two, we would strongly prefer that you not get involved in this matter. EA is a strong supporter of creative freedom for game developers. We feel that your past statements – including false claims about content in our games – make any collaboration with you impossible.

 

Sincerely,

Mariam Sughayer

Sr. Manager Corporate Communications

Electronic Arts, Inc.

[poopskin]

HA HAAA! EA did something right without kidnapping themselves before they sucked and bringing them to modern times!

[meta187]

Of course this has all been out there for a minute now, but I find a lot of the verbage used by EA's, Chief Executive Officer, John Riccitiello in his proposal letter to be very telling.

 

 

Thank you for your letter of February 15, 2008. While I appreciate its courteous tone and value our ongoing dialogue, I am disappointed that you have rejected Electronic Arts Inc.’s (“EA’s”) $25 per share cash offer to acquire Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (“Take-Two”) and declined to engage in the friendly negotiations we proposed.

 

 

TRANSLATION: "How dare you tell me to f*ck off, I run f*cking EA, I am the Dark GOD of franchise video games!"

 

 

We believe Take-Two’s current share price already reflects investor expectations for a strong release of GTA IV as well as the longer-term issues that Take-Two faces. Once GTA IV ships, Take-Two will again be dependent on less-popular titles and face increasing challenges to compete with larger and better-capitalized competitors.

 

 

TRANSLATION: Face It, Take Two, you're a one trick pony, without Rockstar under you're belt and more importantly Grand Theft Auto, you pathetic f*cks would have gone belly up after the release of State of Emergency. Ha! That game was single-handedly responsible for ending GameStop's 10 Day return policy, forever! HAAHAHAHAHhahah!!

 

 

With GTA IV shipping on April 29, development on this important title must now be essentially complete. We believe now is the right time to complete a transaction with minimal disruption for Take-Two.

 

TRANSLATION:"That said, we intend to fully cash in on you're one trick pony and ride her till the hooves fall off, then deposit her in the glue factory for later and yearly recycling. Don't delay! We wouldn't want to miss out on that oppurtunity, would we?!"

 

 

Our strong preference is to conduct a private negotiation. If you are unwilling to proceed on that basis, however, we may pursue other means, including the public disclosure of this letter, to bring our offer and the compelling value it represents to the attention of Take-Two’s shareholders.

 

TRANSLATION:"And if all else fails we'll use underhanded tactics to expose you as a bunch of irresponsible f*ckwits to the people that own you and then you're up sh*t's creek without a paddle!!"

 

 

The only valid point of value in any of his host of veiled threats and slanted compliments is that EA could indeed finance and distribute Take Two games and franchises in a more efficient way in a broader market. However, the oppurtunistic and desperate way in which he's going about it is fully transparent and tacky.

[darthYENIK]

Now Jack Thompson offers to help EA buy them out to oust Zelnick!

 

I noted Andy was wondering why this would be the case, well, in my mind he wants some re-organization so that he can defuse/reverse the trend of games like GTA coming out from the company in advance. His ideas as an outsider who I am sure doesn't play ANY video games are rather immature as it appears he expects some sort of control over content I assume with this maneuver.

Ea just got done slamming Jack Thompson

 

 

Mr. Thompson,

 

We have received your letter to EA’s shareholder site. In response to your offer to assist in the proposed acquisition of Take-Two, we would strongly prefer that you not get involved in this matter. EA is a strong supporter of creative freedom for game developers. We feel that your past statements – including false claims about content in our games – make any collaboration with you impossible.

 

Sincerely,

Mariam Sughayer

Sr. Manager Corporate Communications

Electronic Arts, Inc.

It makes sense. JT very ignorantly slammed The Sims(EA's biggest PC cash cow), claiming that there were genitals programmed into the game.

 

Thompson is a just a petty old bastard, that is really scraping the bottom of the barrel for something to get back at a company that has exposed him for the fool he is, on many occasions.

 

As for EA, they're not much better. Yes I will admit they release some good games here and there, but they do it by monopolizing the game industry. And I don't think they'll "pass go" on this bid.

[kfcrulez21]

 

Now Jack Thompson offers to help EA buy them out to oust Zelnick!

 

I noted Andy was wondering why this would be the case, well, in my mind he wants some re-organization so that he can defuse/reverse the trend of games like GTA coming out from the company in advance. His ideas as an outsider who I am sure doesn't play ANY video games are rather immature as it appears he expects some sort of control over content I assume with this maneuver.

Ea just got done slamming Jack Thompson

 

 

Mr. Thompson,

 

We have received your letter to EA’s shareholder site. In response to your offer to assist in the proposed acquisition of Take-Two, we would strongly prefer that you not get involved in this matter. EA is a strong supporter of creative freedom for game developers. We feel that your past statements – including false claims about content in our games – make any collaboration with you impossible.

 

Sincerely,

Mariam Sughayer

Sr. Manager Corporate Communications

Electronic Arts, Inc.

It makes sense. JT very ignorantly slammed The Sims(EA's biggest PC cash cow), claiming that there were genitals programmed into the game.

 

Thompson is a just a petty old bastard, that is really scraping the bottom of the barrel for something to get back at a company that has exposed him for the fool he is, on many occasions.

 

As for EA, they're not much better. Yes I will admit they release some good games here and there, but they do it by monopolizing the game industry. And I don't think they'll "pass go" on this bid.

have in the last few days been contacted by a company with whom Take-Two does business. This company is now my client.

 

My client informs me that Take-Two has breached a substantial contract with it. It appears based upon what my client tells me that this is how Take-Two does business within the industry. This does not surprise me, as I have seen this same company up-close for a number of years. But it is surely gratifying to get corroboration of my observations, out of the blue, from a corporate entity which has been stiffed by Take-Two and which must take legal action, it seems, to get recompense. How sweet.

 

If you all at EA want to pursue a purchase of Take-Two without fully knowing what is “out there” in the form of liabilities, posed by my client and others, of your take-over target, you got [sic] right ahead. I’m sure EA’s shareholders will be impressed with your lack of “due diligence” exhibited first by your “don’t help us, Mr. Thompson” and now your anticipated “we don’t want to know about contractual liabilities of Take-Two” posture. Maybe the new corporate logo of EA should incorporate an ostrich…

 

Your corporate approach to due diligence exhibits the type of circle-the-wagons acumen that is leading the video game industry to the federal regulation that ESA’s own leaked poll indicates 65% of Americans want.

http://www.gamepolitics.com/

[Voodooman]

Unfortunately not everyone so strong like T2 to refuse EA offers... Bioware-pandemic lost their "balls" and decide to do some blowjob for Richello and EA...

Almost Same story but With Mass Effect and Mercenaries on role of GTA 4 and bioshock.

 

Mass effect was original developed for both PC and XBOX under Microsoft control and semiproduction, but Bioware-Pandemic merged now with EA before XBOX release so that the reason for huge delay between 360 and PC versions, and reason why many stuff been cut out for future addons and siquells and DLC.

Only one good thing from EA that all their titles available for maximum numbers of platforms even for Toasters and Calculators.

But devs who once have sold their souls to EA never will be free and alive, they all now dead zombie slaves... its allways like that:

 

1) EA gives money for tallented developer who already developing Perspective game - EA become producer and publisher for third party game. Sound something like "Get the money as a present, but remember that in one day, that may never happen, we can ask you for a favour u cant refuse.... capiche?" ))

(examples of devs on this stage: Westwood, Maxis, Crytek, Digital Illusions CE, Lionhead studios, Irrational Games\ Looking Glass Studios, Pandemic- Bioware, IO interactive)

(examples of games: CnC, Crysis, SimCity, Sims, Battlefield 1942, System Shock 2, Black n White, Need for Speed 1-3, Mercenaries 1, Freedom fighters)

 

2) EA trying to give more money and get themselves rights for Title or at least agreement which means "even if dev have owner rights for title, EA should be exclusive publisher for that title and all future sequels" wich actualy mean that developer cannot go to another publisher to do next part of title.

(All the same devs)

(All the same games except possibly Black n White... Lionhead did the right choice and quit EA before its too late)

 

3) After they have rights for title they giving offer that no one Dev cant refuse (EA CEO just like bad Godfather lol) offer to create the sequel or new tittle for EA.

(Taken Titles and continued: CnC series, System Shock, Sims, SimCity, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Medal of Honor)

(possibly taken tittles: Crysis, Black and white, Freedom fighters not continued yet.

 

4) On this stage during development of this title EA always trying to get the souls of Devs and buy whole studio and merge with it.

(all except irrational, lionhead, IO interactive and Crytek (not yet but i have bad feeling about them) other have sold their souls and tittles, but 2 of these have no rights for their titles)

 

5) Close to the end of development devs already part of EA, already their slaves.

(Westwood, Digital illusions, Maxis, Bioware-Pandemic)

 

6) after that previosly loved company forced to make same and same game every year-two, no new titles no new experiments, just addons and sequels.... by the way every EA`s game that have addons cut on portions before release, if u dont know then now is time to know that EA originally pioneer of selling and producing episodic games that never was 100% full games, they did it much more earlier then Ritual decided to do Sin episodes) also that company forced to do versions of same game for all platforms (tosters and calculators included)

(Games forced to be sequel by EA but still developed by original devs: Sims 1 addons and Sims 2,, Crysis 2 and Crysis ports for PS3 and 360, Black n White 2, Mercenaries 2, BF addons and BF 2 with all ports)

 

7) after 2-5 successful releases next step of EA is reorganise that developer company wich takes next steps:

1) rename Original developer to "EA blah blah" (usually blah blah is city where they r or name of main title)

2) Fire half of developers (most of them valuable), move some devs to another subdivisions, on that stage many other devs leaving the company with friends.... by the way if title rirghts owned by that dev company that mean that after merging title rights transferred to EA)

3) hire new unexperienced slaves who will fork 16 hours per day without extra cash.

4) Force them to do new Sequel without any soul, without any new experience...

(R.I.P : Westwood, some other devisions i forgot. Renamed almost dispatched but still with original devs: ex Maxis now EA SIMS division, others i forgot)

 

8) After not a big success of new sequel without soul and new experience that made by new peoples without any old devs they usualy closing that dev studio and killing last remains of old great developer`s name, Tittle become frozen for few years.

(Examples of such sequels: CnC 3, Tiberium, System shock 3, Need for Speed 4 - Pro street except NFS porshe by Eden games, Medal of honor)

 

9) Few years after EA re-establishing title to get some money, but this title never will legend again, and will be just sh*tty copy that will do the just by name of legendary game, while game itself just grey dummy soulless remake\remix\recreation\copy.

 

(examples: CnC 3, Tiberium (formerly CnC renegade), System Shock 3)

10) meanwhile few separated groups of devs who earlier was working together establishing new game dev studios and starting to work on some new title wich usualy have some soul of their old titles, this may never will be legend even again or may become one of the greatest games anyway in both caces peoples will love it so much. Some of these devs wasnt merged with EA but lost title anyway.

(Examples: Irrational with Bioshock, Petroglyph (ex Westwood) with Star Wars Empire at war, Eden studios with Test Drive Unlimited and new Alone in the dark)

 

Thats why EA is pure evil. They EAting everything like locust, and nothing remains behind EA (except of sh*t). EA is corporate monster that rip souls bring only bad thing to devs and whole GAME\DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

 

by the way:

 

On January 9, 2006, Electronic Arts renewed its trademark protection on the System Shock after success of Bioshock they decide to do some money on settings so System Shock 3 my be already under development.

PC Gamer UK mentioned that EA assigned the team behind The Godfather game in charge of developing System Shock 3. A few days earlier, PC Gamer had printed an article where Irrational Games co-founder, Ken Levine, expressed great disappointment at EA over the development of System Shock 3:

"EA just didn't give a sh*t about that game...I think if EA were to do it, it would've been just a regular first-person shooter with a boss monster at the end."

Some game journalists have expressed angst over the rumor,[9] considering the The Godfather has received mixed reviews from critics.

By the way Development of System Shock 3 as i think one more big reason why EA want 2 TAKE TAKE 2 (Lol) so much.... in addition to take their hands on GTA 4 and GTA titles with rockstar games and all their titles (midnight club is rival of NFS and Max Payne also is under the wing of rockstar) + 3d realsm and DNF with PREY. in addition looks like EA wanna destroy 2k sports that is only rival (and more successful) to EA sports.

But thanks god T2 CEO have some balls in pants and can refuse Devils offers)

But unfortunately Bioware-pandemic and all their titles destiny is known now and it isnt good, not for them not for us, prepare for "Mass Mercenaries effect 535" and "Neverwinter KnightS of old republic episode 89 part 1" and "Destroy all full spectrum humans" .

 

If u r true patriot of Gaming, Do the favour to whole world of gaming, kill EA CEO and all others who can replace him!!!

The guy who will bring the death to the evil EA CEO and to his minions will be true hero - that hero will become a legendary gamer-soldier who will never be forgotten by all the gamers and developers of future, (and ofcoz hero will be ranked as BigBoss of Gaming) ! We really need the death of that damn philosopher (Richello) and finish them all (EA), then take their legacy so we can become patriots who will create a new gaming world order, who will create new history)))

 

John Riccitiello - must die!!! EA should fall !!! UBi soft, Activision-Blizzard (Activisio+vivendi-universal+blizzard), Take 2, Eidos and Konami should grow and take the throne!! Capcom to the dark corner to let them think about some soul and ideas and their games (also let them think about their ignorance to gamers opinions)!!! Kojima must be emperor of Japan!!! GTA 4, MGS 3 and 4 should be for PC !!! Unreal warfare 3 engine to the trash bin!! Id tech 5 engine to every game!!! Games for fun and art not for money!!)))

Thats my Gaming paradise, Outer Haven of Game industry, games really should be ART for developers and gamers, not money making pipline for CEO and producers!!!

P.S. - dont pay attention to MGS stuff jokes, just played to much of it for 18 years, and replayed all parts once again (all in one row) in last month)