After many months of patience, Electronic Arts has officially ended its bid for Grand Theft Auto publisher, Take Two. Shares fell approximately 25 percent as a result, but Take Two’s CEO is not worried. In fact, he says: “We remain focused on creating value for our stockholders and our consumers.”
Well, best of luck, Take Two. I’m glad you weren’t gobbled up, but I’m hoping you can stay afloat without them.
According to Take-Two’s financial report, which reported some mighty profits, GTAIV’s Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable content will be delayed until quarter one of 2009. On the real world calendar, that means it could arrive any time between November 2008 and January 2009.
Why? “The reason we moved it is more about portfolio balance than anything else… the delay is not about development issues.”
Let’s hope it’s worth the wait and that interest hasn’t waned.
I played through Max Payne several times and its sequel at least twice. Needless to say, I like the series. While not officially announced yet, Max Payne 3 will eventually arrive. Maybe not this year or even next year, but some day.
What better way to celebrate the coming of the Max Payne movie than with another sequel? I certainly wouldn’t mind one.
Not sure what to think of this. BioShock was an excellent experience, but should it have a sequel? Ken Levine is involved, but to what degree? 2K Marin, newly founded by some former developers of the original BioShock team, are the lucky (or unlucky?) developers which have been tasked with bringing a worthy sequel to one of 2007’s finest games. I wish them all the best. No news on platforms, but we can safely assume the PC and XBOX 360 are definitely in the picture
Other Take Two news include the 2009 fiscal release window (between Nov. 1st 2008 and Oct. 31st 2009) for both Mafia 2 and Gearbox’s Borderlands. Apparently, Mafia 2 was delayed thanks to GTAIV. Sadness.
Another take over bid! Take-Two Interactive is being offered $2 billion from Electronic Arts. GTA franchise and BioShock under the EA banner? No more competing sports games from 2K?! Hostility ahoy!
Take-Two should refuse. Even though EA has some stake in Ubisoft, they should merge with Ubisoft instead.
Update:
Take-Two says, “Not right now. We’re worth more than that, but let’s talk after GTAIV is released.”
EA provided a nice FAQ site to outline their intentions and answer questions people may have concerning the take over bid.
