Talk of Take Two Acquisition Resurfaces

by pastapadre
Posted December 20th, 2009 at 5:22 pm

carlicahn

After the fourth quarter fiscal report for Take Two arrived, which foreshadowed the likely end of the NHL 2K franchise, some more news came to light. Investor Carl Icahn revealed he has purchased additional stock in Take Two and now owns 11% of the company. His past history of intervention suggests he could pressure Take Two executives to seek a sale of the company. Kotaku has a full write-up on the situation that is worth reading here.

If it were to play out that way the obvious question is whether Electronic Arts would be interested again. Given the current circumstances of the market probably not, at least not at the price Take Two would likely be asking for. Last year EA offered $26 a share which was well over its value at the time. Take Two shareholders are regretting passing on that opportunity now while EA is likely relieved they haven’t had that increased drag on them since. In the time since the proposed deal fell through both companies have seen the value of their stocks fall.

While EA would benefit from franchises such as Grand Theft Auto and Bioshock those alone may not carry the value that it would take to purchase the company. One of the benefits that buying Take Two provided at the time was the elimination of competing sports products. Now though it is only the NBA where they face direct competition. The sales increase that would come with NBA Live being a quasi-exclusive would not seem to justify the costs involved. They would also be taking on a 3rd party MLB license which is expected to lose Take Two $30-40 million next year. EA would be better to wait out the contract and get back into MLB in two years.

While EA will be rumored around any Take Two acquisition talks the prospects of it happening appear far less likely than they did back in early-mid 2008. Still it is something to keep an eye on as any company that could bring in Take Two would reevaluate the 2K Sports division and either provide more resources and try to grow it or trim it even further.

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IHATEHIM

I'm first baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IHATEHIM

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IHATEHIM

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Sam

Thats what I like about pasta, he likes to post bad news for all you 2k trolls. That also means nba live will FINALLY outsell nba 2k, so TAKE THAT! We are the champions(EA), no time for loser(2K)cause we are the champions(EA) OF THE WORLD. My boy pasta came thru again, keep throwing dirt on all them 2k trolls! No bad news for EA you ask? Hell NO! cause nobody makes better games than us. PERIOD………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Anoo

WTF are you talking about? This is news. Not bad or good. And I'm pretty sure NBA Live would be the highest selling NBA game if there were no other NBA games.
Anoo

WTF are you talking about? This is news. Not bad or good. And I'm pretty sure NBA Live would be the highest selling NBA game if there were no other NBA games.
Wostler

Search google news and you'll find a ton of articles talking about this. Given its ramifications I like reading the business side of things.
Wostler

Search google news and you'll find a ton of articles talking about this. Given its ramifications I like reading the business side of things.
Monopoly

@Sam, STFU, what bad news are you talking about? I swear some of you guys act like if EA wins you get paid for it, fucking stupid. And NO, nba live will not outsell 2k11(yes there will be one).
Monopoly

@Sam, STFU, what bad news are you talking about? I swear some of you guys act like if EA wins you get paid for it, fucking stupid. And NO, nba live will not outsell 2k11(yes there will be one).
http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Lol..You need a potential takeover to beat 2k basketball in sales, I would figure who ever buys take two would trim the line up cause they produce nothing at all. And Sam Ea itself lost lots of moeny this year and cut a chunk of its workforce so dont throw yourself a victory party yet.
ReeceTheAussie

@Sam yes because this could be the only possible way EA could ever outsell 2K in NBA games.
Ever.

Sam

Thats what I like about pasta, he likes to post bad news for all you 2k trolls. That also means nba live will FINALLY outsell nba 2k, so TAKE THAT! We are the champions(EA), no time for loser(2K)cause we are the champions(EA) OF THE WORLD. My boy pasta came thru again, keep throwing dirt on all them 2k trolls! No bad news for EA you ask? Hell NO! cause nobody makes better games than us. PERIOD………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Sam

Thats what I like about pasta, he likes to post bad news for all you 2k trolls. That also means nba live will FINALLY outsell nba 2k, so TAKE THAT! We are the champions(EA), no time for loser(2K)cause we are the champions(EA) OF THE WORLD. My boy pasta came thru again, keep throwing dirt on all them 2k trolls! No bad news for EA you ask? Hell NO! cause nobody makes better games than us. PERIOD………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Anoo

WTF are you talking about? This is news. Not bad or good. And I'm pretty sure NBA Live would be the highest selling NBA game if there were no other NBA games.
Wostler

Search google news and you'll find a ton of articles talking about this. Given its ramifications I like reading the business side of things.
Monopoly

@Sam, STFU, what bad news are you talking about? I swear some of you guys act like if EA wins you get paid for it, fucking stupid. And NO, nba live will not outsell 2k11(yes there will be one).
http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Lol..You need a potential takeover to beat 2k basketball in sales, I would figure who ever buys take two would trim the line up cause they produce nothing at all. And Sam Ea itself lost lots of moeny this year and cut a chunk of its workforce so dont throw yourself a victory party yet.
ReeceTheAussie

@Sam yes because this could be the only possible way EA could ever outsell 2K in NBA games.
Ever.

Lake Allen

So Activision or Ubisoft? They would probably be the only two companies that could make such a deal right now other than EA.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Thats all that comes to mind for me. Disney would have the money but I doubt they would make the deal because of their image concerns.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Thats all that comes to mind for me. Disney would have the money but I doubt they would make the deal because of their image concerns.

Swizzy

What about sony, they have the money. PS3 is already taking over anyway, why not put a little cherry on top.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

They could be a player if they wanted to, but Sony hasn't shown a strong desire to acquire studios this generation. They've been producing good titles in-house instead.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

They could be a player if they wanted to, but Sony hasn't shown a strong desire to acquire studios this generation. They've been producing good titles in-house instead.
Jamin

I would hope Sony doesn't buy them
Jamin

I would hope Sony doesn't buy them

Swizzy

What about sony, they have the money. PS3 is already taking over anyway, why not put a little cherry on top.
ReeceTheAussie

LOL Would love to see Kobe dunking on Mickey Mouse though.

Lake Allen

So Activision or Ubisoft? They would probably be the only two companies that could make such a deal right now other than EA.
Lake Allen

So Activision or Ubisoft? They would probably be the only two companies that could make such a deal right now other than EA.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Thats all that comes to mind for me. Disney would have the money but I doubt they would make the deal because of their image concerns.

Swizzy

What about sony, they have the money. PS3 is already taking over anyway, why not put a little cherry on top.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

They could be a player if they wanted to, but Sony hasn't shown a strong desire to acquire studios this generation. They've been producing good titles in-house instead.
Jamin

I would hope Sony doesn't buy them

ReeceTheAussie

LOL Would love to see Kobe dunking on Mickey Mouse though.

James

Well if Microsoft or EA bought them I can kiss 2k basketball goodbye on my PS3. The Show would then be the only Sports game I buy every year.
James

Well if Microsoft or EA bought them I can kiss 2k basketball goodbye on my PS3. The Show would then be the only Sports game I buy every year.
James

Well if Microsoft or EA bought them I can kiss 2k basketball goodbye on my PS3. The Show would then be the only Sports game I buy every year.
Keith.

EA lost more than a billion dollars last year and just laid off 20% of their workforce. How could they even afford to buy 2k?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

They have the cash to do so. Certainly given the state of the economy and their trying to slim down their lineup to produce more profitability that does make it much less likely they'd want to take them on.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

They have the cash to do so. Certainly given the state of the economy and their trying to slim down their lineup to produce more profitability that does make it much less likely they'd want to take them on.
AmenRa

Never underestimate the power of greed…

Keith.

EA lost more than a billion dollars last year and just laid off 20% of their workforce. How could they even afford to buy 2k?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

They have the cash to do so. Certainly given the state of the economy and their trying to slim down their lineup to produce more profitability that does make it much less likely they'd want to take them on.
AmenRa

Never underestimate the power of greed…

bob

does that mean EA Baseball game soon?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Probably not until 2012 when the contract expires unless something drastic happens.

bob

does that mean EA Baseball game soon?
bob

does that mean EA Baseball game soon?

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Probably not until 2012 when the contract expires unless something drastic happens.

Bryan

who the fuck cares seriously Sports gaming is a dying genre its not like the Sega/SNES or Playstation N64 days its reached its pinnacle in the xbox/cube/ps2 now its on a downward spiral the gameplay can't compete with last generation the games are not as abundant and few and far inbetween. you'd think more graphical power means better games but its the total opposite this gen has been lackluster with few games that are good. Bottomline exlusive contracts ruined this genre and I dont see it getting any better. next gen. I remeber when there were ton of sports game and thats all I play its sad anyone who enjoyed NBA live 2005 or madden 2004 like me has to find a new genre because I've given up on the sports genre and will take whatever I can get before theres only 1 game of 1 sports from one company with horrible gameplay and only of the four major sports in america.
Bryan

who the fuck cares seriously Sports gaming is a dying genre its not like the Sega/SNES or Playstation N64 days its reached its pinnacle in the xbox/cube/ps2 now its on a downward spiral the gameplay can't compete with last generation the games are not as abundant and few and far inbetween. you'd think more graphical power means better games but its the total opposite this gen has been lackluster with few games that are good. Bottomline exlusive contracts ruined this genre and I dont see it getting any better. next gen. I remeber when there were ton of sports game and thats all I play its sad anyone who enjoyed NBA live 2005 or madden 2004 like me has to find a new genre because I've given up on the sports genre and will take whatever I can get before theres only 1 game of 1 sports from one company with horrible gameplay and only of the four major sports in america.
Steve-O

Im a 360 owner and a huge baseball fan. So you can imagine the pain I feel when my only pro baseball simulation is MLB 2k. I wish EA could get this license and bring back MVP baseball which was a fantastic series in the limited run it had.

Im very seriously considering a PS3 purchase this spring just so I can play "The Show". Not gonna lose my 360 of course. but man its been a long time since I played a good baseball game.

lonnie

i was in the same boat..i went and picked up a ps3 just for the show and it was a great move…mlb the show is a great baseball game and worth getting a ps3 for but have found some other great games just for the ps3 as well,so my advice to you is get one of the new slim ps3s you won't regret it and no i am not a ps3 fanboy..i have two 360s ,i love both systems

Steve-O

Im a 360 owner and a huge baseball fan. So you can imagine the pain I feel when my only pro baseball simulation is MLB 2k. I wish EA could get this license and bring back MVP baseball which was a fantastic series in the limited run it had.

Im very seriously considering a PS3 purchase this spring just so I can play "The Show". Not gonna lose my 360 of course. but man its been a long time since I played a good baseball game.

lonnie

i was in the same boat..i went and picked up a ps3 just for the show and it was a great move…mlb the show is a great baseball game and worth getting a ps3 for but have found some other great games just for the ps3 as well,so my advice to you is get one of the new slim ps3s you won't regret it and no i am not a ps3 fanboy..i have two 360s ,i love both systems

AmenRa

MLB = best for baseball; NBA2k10=best basketball; Madden and NCAA= only.best football. It's obvious the gamers win when various companies are allowed to make the games. Ea has done well in some games but many continue to lag behind. It could only stand to reason that each company/group of developers are better at certain games. I agree that exclusive rights ruined sports gaming.

Pasta stop trying to act neutral and admit that you are paid to endorse and support Ea products. At least that will get some of these clowns from posting all this hate on your site. Although, I guess you can't do that because you would lose credit if you didn't have the "perceived neutrality". Still though, you could a least do a better job. Everyone knows Live was way behind 2k10 post-patch this year.

AmenRa

I will say this about Pasta though. He does at least allow you to make negative posts about EA games. Operation sports will ban you if you talk bad about EA games.

russianBob

I love Pasta for that you know. OS is such a shithole to not being able to speak your mind. It feels like I am back in Russia

AmenRa

MLB = best for baseball; NBA2k10=best basketball; Madden and NCAA= only.best football. It's obvious the gamers win when various companies are allowed to make the games. Ea has done well in some games but many continue to lag behind. It could only stand to reason that each company/group of developers are better at certain games. I agree that exclusive rights ruined sports gaming.

Pasta stop trying to act neutral and admit that you are paid to endorse and support Ea products. At least that will get some of these clowns from posting all this hate on your site. Although, I guess you can't do that because you would lose credit if you didn't have the "perceived neutrality". Still though, you could a least do a better job. Everyone knows Live was way behind 2k10 post-patch this year.

AmenRa

I will say this about Pasta though. He does at least allow you to make negative posts about EA games. Operation sports will ban you if you talk bad about EA games.

russianBob

I love Pasta for that you know. OS is such a shithole to not being able to speak your mind. It feels like I am back in Russia

t. daley

Silly Rabbit, Tricks are for Kids Pasta:

What makes you think and aquisition of TTI would involve the dissolving of the NBA 2k series. Granted the other sports titles my vanish but with a stronger fanbase for NBA2k than Live, wouldn’t be in their best interest to keep the title to ensure 100% of the market share. Since they own it they will make the profit from both ends and dissolving NBA2k doesnt guarantee them 100% market share on live. I assume many 2kplayers won’t make the crossover and just forgo basketball games altoghether.

As for baseball this would be a blessing for 360 owners who clearly want EA back in the mix. 2k has clearly shown its incompetance to make a satisfactory baseball game and we players all know how good the MVP series was. As for PS3 owners, the Show is way to far ahead of anything that EA could bring out so PS3 owners will likely stick with the Show. PS3 exclusives will always out perform and outshine any game that is made for multiplatforms…..PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jamin

What happened to NBA inside? Wasn't that a PS3 exclusive made by the same company as the show?

http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

I think it was a PSP exclusive this year.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

They canceled it because sales and quality could not compete with EA and 2K.

Jamin

I know. He said that PS3 exclusives will always out perform and outshine any multiplatform game. That doesn't hold true with nba inside.

t. daley

Silly Rabbit, Tricks are for Kids Pasta:

What makes you think and aquisition of TTI would involve the dissolving of the NBA 2k series. Granted the other sports titles my vanish but with a stronger fanbase for NBA2k than Live, wouldn’t be in their best interest to keep the title to ensure 100% of the market share. Since they own it they will make the profit from both ends and dissolving NBA2k doesnt guarantee them 100% market share on live. I assume many 2kplayers won’t make the crossover and just forgo basketball games altoghether.

As for baseball this would be a blessing for 360 owners who clearly want EA back in the mix. 2k has clearly shown its incompetance to make a satisfactory baseball game and we players all know how good the MVP series was. As for PS3 owners, the Show is way to far ahead of anything that EA could bring out so PS3 owners will likely stick with the Show. PS3 exclusives will always out perform and outshine any game that is made for multiplatforms…..PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jamin

What happened to NBA inside? Wasn't that a PS3 exclusive made by the same company as the show?

http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

I think it was a PSP exclusive this year.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

They canceled it because sales and quality could not compete with EA and 2K.

Jamin

I know. He said that PS3 exclusives will always out perform and outshine any multiplatform game. That doesn't hold true with nba inside.

http://twitter.com/DaveDQ @DaveDQ

That pic of the guy that owns 11% of the company looks like a hardcore gamer.
http://twitter.com/DaveDQ @DaveDQ

That pic of the guy that owns 11% of the company looks like a hardcore gamer.
Hungryandrew

Well if Take Two is bought then so be it, as long as NBA 2k, and maybe NFL 2k(if license isnt renewed) will be around. Please dont let EA buy Take Two, cause that will spell the end of the NBA 2k franchise.
Hungryandrew

Well if Take Two is bought then so be it, as long as NBA 2k, and maybe NFL 2k(if license isnt renewed) will be around. Please dont let EA buy Take Two, cause that will spell the end of the NBA 2k franchise.
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