EA's Take-Two takeover expires

[Democrab]

 

For a brief moment this morning, it appeared that the six-month-long Electronic Arts/Take-Two Interactive takeover saga might have finally come to a close. In separate statements issued this morning, both companies confirmed that EA's most recent $2 billion tender offer to purchase all outstanding Take-Two stock at $25.74 per share would expire as of 11:59 p.m. tonight. The deadline was set after EA's bid became compliant with the Federal Trade Commission rules last month.

 

In an open letter to Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick, EA CEO John Riccitiello said, "Given the passage of time, we have to validate the assumptions used in the model to support our offer price of $25.74 per share in cash. In addition, we no longer believe we can integrate Take-Two ahead of the important holiday season. Accordingly, we require due diligence to support a transaction and are therefore letting the tender offer expire tonight."

 

However, as has been the case on several occasions prior, the EA/Take-Two mating dance is far from over. In fact, Take-Two appears to have gone from being vocally disdainful to semireceptive of EA's advances.

 

[source]

 

Oh god, don't tell me they are going to be taken over by EA.....

[Starion]

If I was Strauss Zelnick, I would tell EA games to f*ck off and leave my company alone.

[gamesguru]

This has been posted somewhere in the GTA IV Forum.

[Star-Lord]

Holy Freaking crap! I thought this was over ages ago, Those dam EA monopolist won't give up.

[Democrab]

This has been posted somewhere in the GTA IV Forum.

Wow, at least I got it in the right forum, eh? (has to do with Take2 not GTA IV)

 

 

 

I hope Rockstar isn't taken over by EA and if they are, EA doesn't interfere with GTA and Midnight Club.

[lt_yao]

This has been posted somewhere in the GTA IV Forum.

Wow, at least I got it in the right forum, eh? (has to do with Take2 not GTA IV)

 

 

 

I hope Rockstar isn't taken over by EA and if they are, EA doesn't interfere with GTA and Midnight Club.

Oh but they will.

[coasterdude184]

They won't interfere, they're in it for the money. Besides everything in GTA will be licensed but I hope they don't, there shouldn't be one games manufacturing company.

[gamesguru]

This has been posted somewhere in the GTA IV Forum.

Wow, at least I got it in the right forum, eh? (has to do with Take2 not GTA IV)

 

 

 

I hope Rockstar isn't taken over by EA and if they are, EA doesn't interfere with GTA and Midnight Club.

Very True. But I guess in a way it does, as Take2 are R*'s parent company; so of course, the general consensus is that people will worry at that prospect. I can understand why, 'cause EA have a pretty dangerous record when it comes to buying out rival companies.

[Democrab]

This has been posted somewhere in the GTA IV Forum.

Wow, at least I got it in the right forum, eh? (has to do with Take2 not GTA IV)

 

 

 

I hope Rockstar isn't taken over by EA and if they are, EA doesn't interfere with GTA and Midnight Club.

Very True. But I guess in a way it does, as Take2 are R*'s parent company; so of course, the general consensus is that people will worry at that prospect. I can understand why, 'cause EA have a pretty dangerous record when it comes to buying out rival companies.

Yeah, but if we are lucky, Rockstar will just be like "f*ck off, we're making the games the way we always have, go eat ratsh*t EA."

 

 

If not... We may be lucky and GTA might still be good even if it comes out with a new one every year.

[gamesguru]

This has been posted somewhere in the GTA IV Forum.

Wow, at least I got it in the right forum, eh? (has to do with Take2 not GTA IV)

 

 

 

I hope Rockstar isn't taken over by EA and if they are, EA doesn't interfere with GTA and Midnight Club.

Very True. But I guess in a way it does, as Take2 are R*'s parent company; so of course, the general consensus is that people will worry at that prospect. I can understand why, 'cause EA have a pretty dangerous record when it comes to buying out rival companies.

Yeah, but if we are lucky, Rockstar will just be like "f*ck off, we're making the games the way we always have, go eat ratsh*t EA."

 

 

If not... We may be lucky and GTA might still be good even if it comes out with a new one every year.

EA does have a habit of bringing out the same (especially sports) game out every year; I would like to see a simple update through the PSN Store/Marketplace instead of making us pay £40/$60 every time. The same goes to Konami and PES.

 

However, with the whole Wii thing going on, EA are trying to turn a new leaf by trying new ideas (well that's what they want us to believe); I reckon they are just trying to capitalize on the new Casual Market. However, even though still rubbish (they're new to the whole make an original game thing; publishing doesn't count!) at least they're trying.

 

A bit Off-Topic, but you see where I'm going with this and the future of GTA. Oh, and that contract has expired but apparently Take2 are still in private talks with them [EA]; probably telling 'em to bog off!

[Gouveia]

Oh sh*t.

 

If they take over and GTA gets f*cked up, we at least still have Saint's Row 2. Not that it'll repair all the emotional damage, but oh well.

[EasyTiger]

 

EA does have a habit of bringing out the same (especially sports) game out every year;

 

 

Like you said they're sports games and I think you'll find that if you ask these game's hardcore fans what they want, it'll just be the newest kits and players with a little tweak on the physics, exactly what EA delivers.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not supporting EA in this possible take-over, I just don't think they'd make such a cock-up of it as some of you think.