EA Making Second Push for Take Two

by pastapadre
Posted March 13th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Recently there were some signs from the Take Two side that suggested they were preparing to be bought out. Today EA reiterated their public offer for the company this time speaking directly to the Take Two shareholders.

EA has restated their $26 per share offer and has pleaded directly with the shareholders to accept the deal. The $26 per share was nearly 50% above Take Two’s value before the developments were made public. The stock jumped following the news and now sits just under $26 as investors have prepared for the deal to be completed in the near future.

The offer expires on April 11th. In what surely isn’t a coincidence, the Take Two shareholder meeting takes place on the 10th. If EA doesn’t hold 51% of the company by then that could very well be when a new board is voted in (who aren’t trying to sneak in huge raises for themselves) that will accept the EA offer with only hours to spare. Either way things are in motion and it appears it won’t be long now until EA officially has control of Take Two.

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The Saint

I don’t know the dynamics of a hostile takeover and how sure this acquisition is, but as a gamer I sure hope Take Two puts up their anti-takeover defenses and doesn’t just lay down. Maybe the numbers ultimately make sense for the shareholders to accept EA’s offer, but there are intangibles that Power Point can’t back that will be in Take Two’s favor and all its shareholders if they were to hold their ground and reject EA’s offer.
The Saint

I don’t know the dynamics of a hostile takeover and how sure this acquisition is, but as a gamer I sure hope Take Two puts up their anti-takeover defenses and doesn’t just lay down. Maybe the numbers ultimately make sense for the shareholders to accept EA’s offer, but there are intangibles that Power Point can’t back that will be in Take Two’s favor and all its shareholders if they were to hold their ground and reject EA’s offer.
lakeallen

mlb 2k8 will probably end up being 2k’s last official release. im guessing ea will pick up with top spin 3 and then prizefighter after that.
lakeallen

mlb 2k8 will probably end up being 2k’s last official release. im guessing ea will pick up with top spin 3 and then prizefighter after that.
Mark

I think it will be positive news for everyone if EA takes control of Take-Two. 2K has only made 2 decent sports game in the 2K8 series; NBA and College Hoops. Since College Hoops is already cancelled, 2K basically has nothing left for sports games. The lack of effort behind MLB 2K8 has me, a once 2K fanatic, hoping for the return of the MVP series. And who knows, maybe the NBA Live series will go more in the direction of the 2K series of basketball…
Mark

I think it will be positive news for everyone if EA takes control of Take-Two. 2K has only made 2 decent sports game in the 2K8 series; NBA and College Hoops. Since College Hoops is already cancelled, 2K basically has nothing left for sports games. The lack of effort behind MLB 2K8 has me, a once 2K fanatic, hoping for the return of the MVP series. And who knows, maybe the NBA Live series will go more in the direction of the 2K series of basketball…
dyl

this could be either the best thing that ever happened to sports video games or the absolute worst….they could either combine graphics with gameplay, or get absolutley lazy and release crappy games like march madness, nba live, 2k baseball….these minds really need to come together and put out some quality games like in years past
dyl

this could be either the best thing that ever happened to sports video games or the absolute worst….they could either combine graphics with gameplay, or get absolutley lazy and release crappy games like march madness, nba live, 2k baseball….these minds really need to come together and put out some quality games like in years past
The Saint

[quote comment="15535"]mlb 2k8 will probably end up being 2k’s last official release. im guessing ea will pick up with top spin 3 and then prizefighter after that.[/quote]

My main concern is Prizefighter, I don’t care what label that game comes out under, EA, 2K, EA2K, it doesn’t matter, so long as EA had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the development of the game.
The Saint

[quote comment="15535"]mlb 2k8 will probably end up being 2k’s last official release. im guessing ea will pick up with top spin 3 and then prizefighter after that.[/quote]

My main concern is Prizefighter, I don’t care what label that game comes out under, EA, 2K, EA2K, it doesn’t matter, so long as EA had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the development of the game.
DA Yankees Win

this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.
DA Yankees Win

this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.
The Saint

[quote comment="15541"]this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.[/quote]

I don’t understand why people continue to think that EA is merely trying to “team up” with 2K Sports. It’s not even a merger, it’s a hostile takeover. EA is simply getting rid of its competition the best way it knows how, and it’s NOT through making better games.
The Saint

[quote comment="15541"]this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.[/quote]

I don’t understand why people continue to think that EA is merely trying to “team up” with 2K Sports. It’s not even a merger, it’s a hostile takeover. EA is simply getting rid of its competition the best way it knows how, and it’s NOT through making better games.
Machines

[quote comment="15542"][quote comment="15541"]this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.[/quote]

I don’t understand why people continue to think that EA is merely trying to “team up” with 2K Sports. It’s not even a merger, it’s a hostile takeover. EA is simply getting rid of its competition the best way it knows how, and it’s NOT through making better games.[/quote]

You don’t take over companies and then kill the cash-cows. EA may be acting in a hostile manner, but they aren’t stupid. Peter Moore isn’t dumb enough to kill off the best selling NBA franchise however many years running just to keep pumping money into trying to fix something like Live. They want Take Two for the properties they have. I wouldn’t expect the 2K series to go anywhere, other than maybe to the DMV for a name change on their drivers license.
Machines

[quote comment="15542"][quote comment="15541"]this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.[/quote]

I don’t understand why people continue to think that EA is merely trying to “team up” with 2K Sports. It’s not even a merger, it’s a hostile takeover. EA is simply getting rid of its competition the best way it knows how, and it’s NOT through making better games.[/quote]

You don’t take over companies and then kill the cash-cows. EA may be acting in a hostile manner, but they aren’t stupid. Peter Moore isn’t dumb enough to kill off the best selling NBA franchise however many years running just to keep pumping money into trying to fix something like Live. They want Take Two for the properties they have. I wouldn’t expect the 2K series to go anywhere, other than maybe to the DMV for a name change on their drivers license.
The Saint

[quote comment="15544"][quote comment="15542"][quote comment="15541"]this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.[/quote]

I don’t understand why people continue to think that EA is merely trying to “team up” with 2K Sports. It’s not even a merger, it’s a hostile takeover. EA is simply getting rid of its competition the best way it knows how, and it’s NOT through making better games.[/quote]

You don’t take over companies and then kill the cash-cows. EA may be acting in a hostile manner, but they aren’t stupid. Peter Moore isn’t dumb enough to kill off the best selling NBA franchise however many years running just to keep pumping money into trying to fix something like Live. They want Take Two for the properties they have. I wouldn’t expect the 2K series to go anywhere, other than maybe to the DMV for a name change on their drivers license.[/quote]

If EA is making it, it doesn’t matter what they call the game, it’s garbage. NBA2K series won’t be the same game. If Prizefighter becomes a huge hit the first time around and EA creates the sequel, it will not be the same game. So yes, EA might not necessarily discontinue the franchise, but by all means if they’re developing the game, they might as well kill it off.
The Saint

[quote comment="15544"][quote comment="15542"][quote comment="15541"]this will be good if they combine EA’s graphics with 2k’s gameplay. if they dont then it looks like sports games will be horrible.[/quote]

I don’t understand why people continue to think that EA is merely trying to “team up” with 2K Sports. It’s not even a merger, it’s a hostile takeover. EA is simply getting rid of its competition the best way it knows how, and it’s NOT through making better games.[/quote]

You don’t take over companies and then kill the cash-cows. EA may be acting in a hostile manner, but they aren’t stupid. Peter Moore isn’t dumb enough to kill off the best selling NBA franchise however many years running just to keep pumping money into trying to fix something like Live. They want Take Two for the properties they have. I wouldn’t expect the 2K series to go anywhere, other than maybe to the DMV for a name change on their drivers license.[/quote]

If EA is making it, it doesn’t matter what they call the game, it’s garbage. NBA2K series won’t be the same game. If Prizefighter becomes a huge hit the first time around and EA creates the sequel, it will not be the same game. So yes, EA might not necessarily discontinue the franchise, but by all means if they’re developing the game, they might as well kill it off.
Groundhog

EA already has an NBA Live team, and they probably have NBA Live and it’s features for the next couple of releases all mapped out. 2K being bought out by EA isn’t going to lead to an improvement in Live. It’s going to lead to a lack of competition, which in turn leads to the same crappy NBA Live we’ve seen for the past decade.
Groundhog

EA already has an NBA Live team, and they probably have NBA Live and it’s features for the next couple of releases all mapped out. 2K being bought out by EA isn’t going to lead to an improvement in Live. It’s going to lead to a lack of competition, which in turn leads to the same crappy NBA Live we’ve seen for the past decade.
StEaLtH ShOt

Simple question is EA going to buy 2k yes or no?
StEaLtH ShOt

Simple question is EA going to buy 2k yes or no?
Darkheath

People… I am quite sure that 2k Sports is the LEAST of what EA is thinking about… IF they’ve even thought about sports games at all. It’s 2K’s other properties that are so appealing. GTA IV, BioShock, hell.. RockStar themselves. This April 11th “deadline” is less than 3 weeks from GTA’s street date. They snatched up another of my favorite studios, BioWare, and now have the Mass Effect and Jade Empire IPs in their pockets. It’ll be disappointing, but not at all unexpected, to see them go after my other favorite company when Fallout 3 is about to drop, Bethesda.
Darkheath

People… I am quite sure that 2k Sports is the LEAST of what EA is thinking about… IF they’ve even thought about sports games at all. It’s 2K’s other properties that are so appealing. GTA IV, BioShock, hell.. RockStar themselves. This April 11th “deadline” is less than 3 weeks from GTA’s street date. They snatched up another of my favorite studios, BioWare, and now have the Mass Effect and Jade Empire IPs in their pockets. It’ll be disappointing, but not at all unexpected, to see them go after my other favorite company when Fallout 3 is about to drop, Bethesda.
Groundhog

[quote comment="15555"]People… I am quite sure that 2k Sports is the LEAST of what EA is thinking about… IF they’ve even thought about sports games at all. It’s 2K’s other properties that are so appealing. GTA IV, BioShock, hell.. RockStar themselves. This April 11th “deadline” is less than 3 weeks from GTA’s street date. They snatched up another of my favorite studios, BioWare, and now have the Mass Effect and Jade Empire IPs in their pockets. It’ll be disappointing, but not at all unexpected, to see them go after my other favorite company when Fallout 3 is about to drop, Bethesda.[/quote]

There was a quote on a website (I can’t recall which, will try and track it down) from a guy from EA saying the opposite, about it being a great opportunity for EA to take on 2K Sports and their experience and know how (exec spin for “buy and make vanish”). Anyone who thinks EA has no interest in removing a key competitor from their EA Sports library is deluding themselves – particular in the case of NBA 2Kx, which has Live’s number.

It’s also well known that EA weren’t happy that 2K found a way to release a pro football game despite the license, even if it didn’t sell so well.
Groundhog

[quote comment="15555"]People… I am quite sure that 2k Sports is the LEAST of what EA is thinking about… IF they’ve even thought about sports games at all. It’s 2K’s other properties that are so appealing. GTA IV, BioShock, hell.. RockStar themselves. This April 11th “deadline” is less than 3 weeks from GTA’s street date. They snatched up another of my favorite studios, BioWare, and now have the Mass Effect and Jade Empire IPs in their pockets. It’ll be disappointing, but not at all unexpected, to see them go after my other favorite company when Fallout 3 is about to drop, Bethesda.[/quote]

There was a quote on a website (I can’t recall which, will try and track it down) from a guy from EA saying the opposite, about it being a great opportunity for EA to take on 2K Sports and their experience and know how (exec spin for “buy and make vanish”). Anyone who thinks EA has no interest in removing a key competitor from their EA Sports library is deluding themselves – particular in the case of NBA 2Kx, which has Live’s number.

It’s also well known that EA weren’t happy that 2K found a way to release a pro football game despite the license, even if it didn’t sell so well.
Darkheath

Well OK… I’m sure the “EA Sports” branch is interested. I’m sure they need to feel important to the overmind that is EA. But this is coming from MUCH higher up. EA has become HUGE and it seems to be mainly a corporate mindset… regardless of what the product is.

Actually… if you are a South Park fan, EA is starting to remind me of Cartman in the classic “Trapper Keeper” episode! They sucked up lots of “mom & pop” operations… then started on bigger fish like BioWare and UbiSoft and now the biggest one, 2K.

EA has become an out-of-control Katamari!
Darkheath

Well OK… I’m sure the “EA Sports” branch is interested. I’m sure they need to feel important to the overmind that is EA. But this is coming from MUCH higher up. EA has become HUGE and it seems to be mainly a corporate mindset… regardless of what the product is.

Actually… if you are a South Park fan, EA is starting to remind me of Cartman in the classic “Trapper Keeper” episode! They sucked up lots of “mom & pop” operations… then started on bigger fish like BioWare and UbiSoft and now the biggest one, 2K.

EA has become an out-of-control Katamari!
Groundhog

EA Sports is a massive component of EA. What other company has a title like Madden they can release every single year, which is assured to sell amazingly well?
Groundhog

EA Sports is a massive component of EA. What other company has a title like Madden they can release every single year, which is assured to sell amazingly well?
SPARKY

Let face the facts once they get there hands on Take 2. 2K sports as we now it will be gone and there will be only one maker of sports games. No competition just means games that will have little improvement from year to year. Example look at Raw Vs Smackdown.
SPARKY

Let face the facts once they get there hands on Take 2. 2K sports as we now it will be gone and there will be only one maker of sports games. No competition just means games that will have little improvement from year to year. Example look at Raw Vs Smackdown.
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

[quote comment="15556"][quote comment="15555"]People… I am quite sure that 2k Sports is the LEAST of what EA is thinking about… IF they’ve even thought about sports games at all. It’s 2K’s other properties that are so appealing. GTA IV, BioShock, hell.. RockStar themselves. This April 11th “deadline” is less than 3 weeks from GTA’s street date. They snatched up another of my favorite studios, BioWare, and now have the Mass Effect and Jade Empire IPs in their pockets. It’ll be disappointing, but not at all unexpected, to see them go after my other favorite company when Fallout 3 is about to drop, Bethesda.[/quote]

There was a quote on a website (I can’t recall which, will try and track it down) from a guy from EA saying the opposite, about it being a great opportunity for EA to take on 2K Sports and their experience and know how (exec spin for “buy and make vanish”). Anyone who thinks EA has no interest in removing a key competitor from their EA Sports library is deluding themselves – particular in the case of NBA 2Kx, which has Live’s number.

It’s also well known that EA weren’t happy that 2K found a way to release a pro football game despite the license, even if it didn’t sell so well.[/quote]

There it is LOL
http://www.zshare.net/download/6518525cdd035a/ shoeprint

[quote comment="15556"][quote comment="15555"]People… I am quite sure that 2k Sports is the LEAST of what EA is thinking about… IF they’ve even thought about sports games at all. It’s 2K’s other properties that are so appealing. GTA IV, BioShock, hell.. RockStar themselves. This April 11th “deadline” is less than 3 weeks from GTA’s street date. They snatched up another of my favorite studios, BioWare, and now have the Mass Effect and Jade Empire IPs in their pockets. It’ll be disappointing, but not at all unexpected, to see them go after my other favorite company when Fallout 3 is about to drop, Bethesda.[/quote]

There was a quote on a website (I can’t recall which, will try and track it down) from a guy from EA saying the opposite, about it being a great opportunity for EA to take on 2K Sports and their experience and know how (exec spin for “buy and make vanish”). Anyone who thinks EA has no interest in removing a key competitor from their EA Sports library is deluding themselves – particular in the case of NBA 2Kx, which has Live’s number.

It’s also well known that EA weren’t happy that 2K found a way to release a pro football game despite the license, even if it didn’t sell so well.[/quote]

There it is LOL
Machines

The fanboy force is strong around here.
Machines

The fanboy force is strong around here.
Tom Wallace

This will end my sports gaming officially. Aside from management games and PES. And although I enjoy FIFA and NHL this year if they manage to kill a basketball game that bests and outsells EA’s effort every year I quit.
Tom Wallace

This will end my sports gaming officially. Aside from management games and PES. And although I enjoy FIFA and NHL this year if they manage to kill a basketball game that bests and outsells EA’s effort every year I quit.
JG

Well this just may be the end of a decent NBA basketball game as we know it. In my opinion 2k8 was a serious improvement as far as gameplay and the new features in the association mode (they even fixed the player models). While EA’s live had the better graphics the game play was pure crap as usual.

EA’s development team and sales department seems to have mastered the idea of empty promises and over hype. They may very well combine the two titles but I don’t think that’ll happen considering these guys seem to be clueless as far as basketball is concerned.

So we’ll likely get the typical “we wanted to add it this year but didn’t have the time but look for it in 2020, we promise it’ll be the best game yet.”

goodbye NBA 2k and thanks for the memories!
JG

Well this just may be the end of a decent NBA basketball game as we know it. In my opinion 2k8 was a serious improvement as far as gameplay and the new features in the association mode (they even fixed the player models). While EA’s live had the better graphics the game play was pure crap as usual.

EA’s development team and sales department seems to have mastered the idea of empty promises and over hype. They may very well combine the two titles but I don’t think that’ll happen considering these guys seem to be clueless as far as basketball is concerned.

So we’ll likely get the typical “we wanted to add it this year but didn’t have the time but look for it in 2020, we promise it’ll be the best game yet.”

goodbye NBA 2k and thanks for the memories!
http://yahoo.com/ bobby

go to hell EA….
College Hoops 2k8 forever! operation sports will probably continue to update new rosters every season via 2k share.
http://yahoo.com bobby

go to hell EA….
College Hoops 2k8 forever! operation sports will probably continue to update new rosters every season via 2k share.