33 replies to this topic

[Gerard]

http://tbn0.google.c...ea-logo-2.jpgEA has made an appeal to Take Two's shareholders, offering them $26 per share to force the merger through without the consent of the company's board. Previously, Take Two's board repeatedly rejected takeover offers from EA, including one for $26 per share, which totals $2 billion USD, a premium over the current value of $15.83 per share which values the company at roughly $1.2b. The company has to issue a recommendation to its shareholders within ten working days. EA's CEO John Riccitiello encourages Shareholders to take advantage of the offer:

"This is a great opportunity for Take-Two shareholders. We believe Take-Two investors will see our tender offer as the best way to maximize the value of their investment in Take-Two. This tender offer provides a clear process to complete the proposed transaction. For EA shareholders, the combination would add additional intellectual properties to our already strong portfolio and welcome Take-Two's talented creative teams to the great development organization we've built at EA."

Take-Two previously commented that the offer undervalued the company and its assets, and it is obvious that the long-awaited much-hyped launch of GTA IV next month is worth a lot to the company. Take Two also said that other parties had approached it regarding a merger, but that it hadn’t entered into any negotiations with other companies about a deal.

Our members discussed EA's previous offer with a resounding rejection of the takeover. It was felt that if Take Two was merged into EA, the Rockstar Games studios should remain separate (rather than be directly merged into EA) or turn independent. Voice your thoughts in our forums.

[GTA Don]

They really don't give up, do they? I agree, they are offering a lot of money, but I don't think that Take-Two should go through with this. If they do decide to accept EA's offer, then I think Rockstar Games should stay separate and keep on making GTA games.

[Connor]

Why can't they just accept no for an answer, I'd hate it if they had their name on GTA IV...

[Spider-Vice]

Why can't they just accept no for an answer, I'd hate it if they had their name on GTA IV...

Yeah, it would be annoying putting the GTA IV disk and hear "EA Games - Challenge Everything" instead of a good ol' Rockstar intro.

[NotYouHaha]

I'm really starting to hate them. They just make many games without effort, they get money by hoping one of their games will be awesome. All they want is money.

[chris82]

I don't think T2's shareholder's will "take advantage" of this because they know what will happen to T2's stock when GTAIV is released.

[Thomas.]

Foolish move by EA games if you ask me. If Take-2 are indeed bought by EA then Take-2 and it's shareholders are foolish too. If EA do get Take-2 and Rockstar Games, I will never play a GTA game by EA Games.

[Connor]

Lol, if that happens, I won't be buying GTA anymore...

...I'll be downloading it...

...I don't fancy wasting my money on EA.

[Mike356]

yeah I only wanna hear challenge everything on need for speed or the sims on gta I want to hear a good tune to get you hyped for the game

[Harwood Butcher]

They really don't give up, do they? I agree, they are offering a lot of money, but I don't think that Take-Two should go through with this. If they do decide to accept EA's offer, then I think Rockstar Games should stay separate and keep on making GTA games.

Rockstar doesn't own the rights to the Grand Theft Auto series.

[GTA Don]

Oh yeah. T2 should sell the rights to GTA to Rockstar. I would keep on buying GTA, EA did say they wouldn't change anything in GTA IV, I would rather watch a R* splash when the game starts up rather than an EA one.

[Mendoza]

Rockstar should just buy the stock and take over Take-2 to end this problem with EA

[MishoM]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if Microsoft just swooped in and bought Rockstar Games or Take-2. Or even funnier, they bought EA right after EA bought Take-2.

[Charger]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if Microsoft just swooped in and bought Rockstar Games or Take-2. Or even funnier, they bought EA right after EA bought Take-2.

It wouldn't, I'll be pissed off.

[rockstarrem]

I have a feeling they're going to accept. As much as I don't want them too, looks like it's going to happen.

[STL67]

Its true that this deal will most likely go through, although I doubt the Houser bros. would let EA change their company/game/series etc. too a degree where it sucked ass, Im sure theyd become independent and make their best efforts to make sure the GTA series stands up to its name, so Im not that worried.

Edited by STL67, 14 March 2008 - 12:42 AM.

[CHEW-GUN]

Oh yeah. T2 should sell the rights to GTA to Rockstar. I would keep on buying GTA, EA did say they wouldn't change anything in GTA IV, I would rather watch a R* splash when the game starts up rather than an EA one.

Dude,this isnt about just the stupid intro that we all skip anyways

the entire feeling of the GTA games would be RUINED!

From the content to the storylines,everything.They maybe would look nice and graphically advanced,but hell,no GTA fan ever cares much about that.

I personally feel very assured that T2 will NOT agree with the offer,not before GTA IV is released anyways. And After the release,EA said themselves that they wouldnt be interested in T2 anymore.

[PhoenixGTA]

I think we all know that this would be the death of the GTA series as we now know it if EA has their greedy hands in it. EA's command and conquer approach to acquiring developers and publishers as their history shows, do not do any games justice. As sad as this might seem, I would rather see Microsoft come in and save the day if Take Two were really on the fritz of being acquired. EA, it seems, is turning into an obvious monopoly.

[Harwood Butcher]

Oh yeah. T2 should sell the rights to GTA to Rockstar. I would keep on buying GTA, EA did say they wouldn't change anything in GTA IV, I would rather watch a R* splash when the game starts up rather than an EA one.

It would be very difficult for EA not to change the way the GTA games are if they don't have the RAGE engine...assuming that Rockstar leaves Take Two prior to the possible take over.

[Gerard]

Let's look at EA's history of games... FIFA, Need for Speed, SimCity, Medal of Honor, The Sims, James Bond, Battlefield, Madden NFL, Burnout, Crysis, Army of Two, and that classic.... Theme Hospital

Can you see GTA IV being in that list?