Tag Archives: buyout

Stroking the flames of fire a bit, Take Two COO Karl Slatoff has said the company is a “very attractive” target for a buyout due to the company’s arsenal of IP.

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Update: An Activision rep, unsurprisingly, replied to us with a quick, no frills “Activision doesn’t comment on industry rumor and speculation.” As always, we’ll fall back on an old cliche: that’s not a “no.”

Original Story: “Saw it coming.”

Said the man who got blindsided by a speeding train.

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Harmonix has confirmed that it’s bought itself from Viacom, and will now operate independently.

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Harmonix PR John Drake has assured that Viacom’s just-announced sale of the firm won’t impact support of its current properties.

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Viacom has confirmed it’s to sell Rock Band studio Harmonix, the AP reports.

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Warner just announced it’s acquired a majority shareholding in Batman: Arkham Asylum developer Rocksteady.

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Bethesda? Valve? Is there something going on between you two? Because we read this editorial by Eurogamer, and well, just look:

“However, it’s also worth watching closely what happens to Steam in the coming months. Unconfirmed industry scuttlebutt suggests that Zenimax – the parent company of Bethesda, which made headlines back in June when it acquired legendary PC studio id Software – is still on the acquisition trail, and has been making eyes at Half-Life creators Valve across the bar,” said the article.

If true, it’s certainly out of left field, but then, so was Zenimax’s annexation of id Software. Guess we’ll see what’s up in the coming months.

For now, though, speculate away!

Trackmania developer Nadia’s sold out to Ubi, it’s been confirmed today.

Did you know Trackmania’s played by 700,000 people a month? Well, it is.

“The acquisition of Nadeo is an important step in our expansion within the on-line gaming sector”, said super Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft’s mega-boss.

“Through Nadeo, Ubisoft will gain an expert team, one of the best on-line technologies around as well as a flagship multiplayer game that enjoys an unrivalled reputation among a loyal and committed community.

Trackmania 2 was announced recently for a 2010 ship.

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IGN’s bought WhatTheyPlay.com, as you can see here.

“As videogames become a mainstream form of entertainment, offering insight about game content that helps parents make informed decisions about what games are appropriate will be a useful service. We are excited to welcome What They Play into the IGN fold.” said IGN’s Peer Schneider.

WhatTheyPlay was set up two years ago in order to educate parents about games in general.

No financial terms were disclosed.

Thanks, Joystiq.

Microsoft’s issued a flat-out denial that it’s in the frame for an EA buy.

“We have no plans to acquire EA,” a spokesperson told Marketwatch last night.

“Unsubstantiated” rumors popped up regarding a sale yesterday, forcing up EA’s share price.

THQ’s shares rose 13 percent yesterday on rumour that a “major media company” is preparing a bid for the publisher.

MKM Partners analyst Eric Handler started the chatter, according to this Forbes report.

However, Handler said he does not see a sale as likely in the near term.

“[The] company still has a very high percentage of licensed titles and is just beginning to rebuild its wholly owned IP portfolio,’ he said in an email.

Hit the link for more.

Holy shit. Disney’s announced it’s acquiring Marvel for around $4 billion. That’s roughly $50 per Marvel share, a 30 percent premium to Marvel’s current share price.

“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” said Disney head Robert A Iger.

“Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney.”

Disney now owns over 5,000 Marvel characters. There may be some videogames involved.

PR after the break.

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EA CFO Eric Brown has said EA is now in the market for smaller buys, speaking at the Pacific Crest Technology Leadership Forum in Vail, Colorado, this week.

Talking of EA’s failed attempt to buy Take-Two this year, Brown said, “That’s a deal whose timeframe has come and long gone. We’re just not interested in a large-scale, traditional packaged-good publishing deal.”

Brown also said EA is “underweighted” in Asia relative to its global sales.

There’s more on Reuters.

ZeniMax raised $105 million in convertible debt and promissory notes in order to buy, id Software, VentureBeat reports.

The figure comes from an SEC filing – financials figures weren’t disclosed when the deal was announced in June.

ZeniMax previously raised $300 million in private equity funding in 2007.

Full thing through there.

Zenimax first started talking to id about the possibility of buying the firm about a year ago, ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman has told Joystiq.

“I had my first meeting with Todd Hollenshead at E3 a year ago,” he said.

“We had a general discussion about how our two companies might explore matters of mutual interest and the conversations then took place over the ensuing months.

“So it’s been almost a year, on and off, that we’ve been having these conversations.”

Zenimax was announced as the new owner of id earlier this week.

There’s an interview with Altman and John Carmack through the link.

Ex-id, ex-ION Storm “legend” John Romero clearly isn’t a fan of Zenimax buying id Software.

On hearing the news, Romero tweeted, “ZENIMAX??????? Disgusting.”

Good gravy. There was more. Big John went on to claim that “Fallout 3 bought DOOM.”

Romero’s making iPhone games at the moment.

Thanks, GamerVision.

“Just shut up.”
[inaudible, breaking glass]
“You’re late.”
“Whatever.”
“Are you drunk?”
“Yes. I don’t like you very much. It’s easier like this.”
“Get the fuck on with it.”
[sounds like clattering plates, grumbling]
“You know Warner’s been looking at Codemasters?”
“I don’t think they’re the only ones, but yes. There were ‘whispers’ about a month ago.”
“Yeah, well, apparently they’ve completed due diligence and buyout discussions are ongoing.”
“No shit.”
“Apparently so.”
[commotion, sounds like falling chair, muffled noises]
“Jesus. You’ve asked them for comment?”
“Yes. Codemasters said, ‘We have nothing to say on the matter.’ I think the Warner mails got lost in the ether somewhere.”
“Well, it’d make a lot of sense. Warner needs the dev. Sounds like they’re really going for it.”
“It does seem that way, yes. They must still be looking for a proper in after Square beat them to Eidos.”
“And Codies has been up for sale for years.”
“Very much so. Got any smokes?”
“You disgust me. Is that it?”
“Yes. And fucking get over yourself. I feel sick. Where’s my money?”
“Here. And stop calling me at home. My wife’s suspicious enough as it is.”
“Just be honest with her.”
“I don’t think so. Won’t you stay a while?”
“After last time? No.”
“Maybe if you didn’t stink there wouldn’t be such a problem.”
“I don’t need this.”
“Get out.”
[mumbling, slamming door, screaming]

Wedbush Morgan’s Michael Pachter doesn’t think Apple’s buying EA, as rumoured this morning.

“To say that it is idiotic would be an insult to all idiots,” the analyst told VG247 today.

The Street’s David Tong said in this piece that “chatter” said Apple was eyeing EA a takeover target.

Maybe not, then.

A round-up on The Street’s claimed that Apple may be looking to buy EA.

“Adami noted that there is chatter that Apple (AAPL Quote) is eyeing Electronic Arts(ERTS Quote) as a takeover target,” said David Tong, writing in this piece.

Stranger things have happened. In fact, this really wouldn’t be very shocking at all.

Thanks, Kotaku.

Take-Two shares are way up today, having enjoyed an 11.9 percent rise to $9.40 this morning. They also rose more than 5 percent last Thursday.

Why? FlyOnTheWall‘s claiming there’s “renewed buyout chatter” surrounding the firm.

$9.40 isn’t quite the $25.74-a-share offer EA trotted out last year, is it?

Thanks, Barron’s.