Take Two accepts Electronic Arts buyout

Written By Michael 42 days ago
News Category: Industry News
Relevant Consoles: : PlayStation 3 : Xbox 360

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APRIL FOOLS! Admitted at 17:44pm GMT

As the member below so dutifully noticed, this was indeed an April Fools news story. One that's apparently spread across the entire internet and appeared on dozens of website and forums by thousands of curious gamers who couldn't tell if this was truth or fiction.

But I thought I'd leave you guys in suspense for most of the afternoon. =D

Sorry for anyone pulled in by the trick. Hehehe! Full details on the effects of this news story will appear here at a later date.

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I'm not the only one disappointed by this news no doubt, but it seems that Take Two's major shareholders have finally buckled under the pressure of Electronic Art's constant hammering, and have finally accepted a complete company takeover by the industry giant.

After their most recent failed attempt, Electronic Arts pushed the cards again with a raised offer, this time with a closing date of April 18th. Although the amount was never publically disclosed, it was apparently inviting enough that Take Two's major share holders have finally agreed to the offer.

Most of us gamers feared it would only be a matter of time. Sadly, its turned out be sooner rather than later, now that the company has officially announced this to the press.

Strauss Zelnick, chairman of the Take-Two board, responded with the following in response to the takeover, "After continued discussion, Take Two have shareholders are of the unanimous decision that a buyout of the company and integration into the Electronic Arts corporation is the best way forward for the company. We are aware of the tensions this may cause amongst the loyal fanbase that have supported Grand Theft Auto and our other franchises of the year, but rest assured, there will be very little in the way of changes coming from this merger."

"Electronic Arts solid business models and high production values will help us to expand our games and the Grand Theft Auto series in exciting new directions, and we hope old and new consumers alike will stand by our future endeavours as we move in exciting new directions."

The company name, logos, and all its trademarks will remain intact.

I'm not too sure how to feel about this one myself, to be honest. I always figured it would be a case of "when" more so than "if". Its just a pity it had to occur so close to the release of Grand Theft Auto 4.

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Tags : buyout : electronic arts : Grand Theft Auto : Grand Theft Auto 4 : gta4 : gtaiv : rockstar games : take two : take two interactive : Takeover

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Comments

By: Dragonsoul On: 01:12 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	wtf? Why, just why? I mean, why would they cave? And really, why should we believe that there won't be some really crappy changes coming up? Bugger.
By: Dragonfly On: 01:14 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	Daryl Falchion;45862 wtf? Why, just why? I mean, why would they cave? And really, why should we believe that there won't be some really crappy changes coming up? Bugger. Take Two has been having some pretty major troubles lately. The shareholders probably weren't particularly happy with the way the company was going, despite the upcoming release of GTAIV.
By: Matt On: 02:03 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	Nice, can't really say it bothers me. Just as long as they don't buy Konami
By: Samuel On: 02:24 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	Meh, maybe with a corporate boot up their ass they might start releasing their games on schedule. But I don't want to see 'GTA 2010' anytime soon. Well, considering the timing, we can hope that it is just an april fool's joke :monster:
By: dragongee On: 02:59 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	shareholders... shareholders....shareholders... its always about money - if only money didnt come into it...
By: ApplesauceNinja On: 05:31 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	This makes me sick to my stomach. Really. I thought Take Two was going to stand up to EA and show them that they can't simply buy out every single competitor. This sucks so badly.
By: Evren On: 07:25 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	Sellouts. Really. They spent ages saying no, And because of money, they said yes. Im not amused. FFS EA is big enough. How are little games companies meant to survive when EA is doing this and gaining a monopoly....=/
By: theRancor On: 09:37 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	nice try, fruitcake.... derrrrrrrrrrr - April Fool's!! you might've tried to make the "chairman" sound more professional - like maybe named him Harry Balzonya or Herbie Versmels - or even something as simple as siting to a fake source!! grow up, Count Chocula.
By: spyda10459 On: 09:59 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	EA's on their BS again, thanks for f***in' it up for the rest of us. :disgust:
By: Dragonfly On: 10:33 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	theRancor;45891 nice try, fruitcake.... derrrrrrrrrrr - April Fool's!! you might've tried to make the "chairman" sound more professional - like maybe named him Harry Balzonya or Herbie Versmels - or even something as simple as siting to a fake source!! grow up, Count Chocula. Why would I name him that? His name *is* Strauss Zelnick. And can't cite a fake source that doesn't exist. *chuckles* As our new friend here so dutifully pointed out, this is indeed an April's Fool. One that's apparently spread across the entire internet and appeared on dozens of website and forums by thousands of curious gamers who couldn't tell if this was truth or fiction. Sorry for anyone pulled in by the trick. *laughs* Full details on the effects of this news story will appear here at a later date.
By: ApplesauceNinja On: 07:11 Apr 1st, 2008 Offline	Michael, I could slap you right now. :lol: Don't ever do that to me again.
By: Kelz On: 01:40 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	At least you did it a lot more cannily than I've seen other people do. Only an a and an f? I saw someone italicize both words spread throughout a shorter post. XD
By: Evren On: 06:59 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	Im going to kill you. Stone dead. Im going to WALK to ireland with a pointy stick. I swear. :P
By: EvilxBunny On: 07:05 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	with a flaggon of mead... oh wait thats scottish ...
By: Dragonsoul On: 08:00 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	Fuckin' awsum trick. I lov'd it. :P
By: Matt On: 09:21 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	Wow, i can't believe this many fell for it... *laughs*
By: EvilxBunny On: 09:27 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	SILLY HUMANS!
By: dragongee On: 09:43 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	tbh I know it sounds like OMG, but i dont really give two hoots about a takeover..
By: Matt On: 12:32 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	deanogee;45967 tbh I know it sounds like OMG, but i dont really give two hoots about a takeover.. lol, but you didn't notice the A P R I L F O O L S letters did ya? *200th post*
By: dragongee On: 02:15 Apr 2nd, 2008 Offline	Matt;45975 lol, but you didn't notice the A P R I L F O O L S letters did ya? *200th post* nahh i didnt - but i did see Sams response in another thread.. still i guess it was a pretty good april fools , more believable than any others i got/saw yesterday
By: Tiamat On: 07:21 Apr 3rd, 2008 Offline	Matt;45975 lol, but you didn't notice the A P R I L F O O L S letters did ya? *200th post* tbh, I still can't find them <_<
By: Evren On: 07:21 Apr 3rd, 2008 Offline	Agreed, some of them were awful. ;_;

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