EA's Hostile Takeover Attempt and Its Impacts

[RaychelSnr]

Operation Sports' Erik Westfall has posted an article discussing what some of the impacts of EA's hostile takeover attempt of Take Two is having on the 2k Sports line.

"So the hostile takeover of Take-Two has begun. G4TV amongst other gaming news sources is reporting EA has made a blanket offer of $26 to all shareholders with a deadline of April 11, one day after Take-Two’s next shareholders' meeting. But shareholders aside, what does this mean for us, the sports gamers?"

[dazzo0007]

"Obviously this wasn’t entirely related to the attempted takeover of the company, but EA’s impact is already manifesting itself and has to be in some way responsible for the cancellation."

Well, there has been no official word on the cancellation of the All-Pro Football 2K series...

[ChaseB]

Well:

"As for last year's franchise debut of All-Pro Football, it apparently didn't make the cut. When asked about the absence of a football game on the company's release schedule, Take-Two execs said it had been taken off the slate, but they were continuing to weigh their options."

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6187563.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;3

That's about as close as you'll get in business speak to saying canned I would think.

[bluengold34_OS]

I say "yes" there is no reason to keep any one sport title around that is already in the EA stable. They may steal the engine for 2 or 3 games, but it will not be marketed in any way at all towards a remembrance of 2k. I just can't see a positive upside for EA keeping NBA 2k9 or NHL 2k9, they really can only steal ideas and features, but it will still be coded by EA employee's and branded by EA....

[goheat]

Re: EA's Hostile Takeover Attempt and Its Impacts

Operation Sports' Erik Westfall has posted an article discussing what some of the impacts of EA's hostile takeover attempt of Take Two is having on the 2k Sports line.

The link to the article isn't working for me...

[dazzo0007]

@ Slizeezyc

Well, you might have that interpretation. But, in my estimation, when they say they are "continuing to weigh their options", that certainly doesn't sound like a cancellation to me.

[jmood88]

Re: EA's Hostile Takeover Attempt and Its Impacts

We might as well get it out of the way:
"This is a good business move"

I hate EA and I hope it falls apart soon.

[Sausage]

Re: EA's Hostile Takeover Attempt and Its Impacts

For us it means less choice in playing our favorite sports. It means soon we will be zombies to this company, thank goodness for Nintendo first party games. Pro Evolution 2008 Wii-this is what every developer should look at for making a fun and in-depth game. Peace.

[brandonW]

what also could happen is that EA doesn't fold 2k. now befor you say you are crazy ea would never do that just read my argument. if ea folds 2k many gamer could possibly get upset. and as a result sale might be hurt. if on the other hand if 2k isn't that won't happen but instead a might over two flavours of sports games one for people who like the tradional EA style game and one for those like me who have grown to resent EA(even though i like some of their games) we might even see a return of the NFL in this sencario.

but in all likely hood EA will fold 2K and i hope that sony will add the former 2k staff to their sportsline.

[jmood88]

Re: EA's Hostile Takeover Attempt and Its Impacts

what also could happen is that EA doesn't fold 2k. now befor you say you are crazy ea would never do that just read my argument. if ea folds 2k many gamer could possibly get upset. and as a result sale might be hurt. if on the other hand if 2k isn't that won't happen but instead a might over two flavours of sports games one for people who like the tradional EA style game and one for those like me who have grown to resent EA(even though i like some of their games) we might even see a return of the NFL in this sencario.

but in all likely hood EA will fold 2K and i hope that sony will add the former 2k staff to their sportsline.

You may not want to hear it but is crazy. It makes no sense for EA to make two competing games, pay for two different development teams, and market two games for the same sport. There are already 2k fans who are willing to buy EA games because they feel like they need to have a new game, EA would buy Take Two and absorb some of the 2k people and kill the company.

[CS10029]

Re: EA's Hostile Takeover Attempt and Its Impacts

what also could happen is that EA doesn't fold 2k. now befor you say you are crazy ea would never do that just read my argument. if ea folds 2k many gamer could possibly get upset. and as a result sale might be hurt. if on the other hand if 2k isn't that won't happen but instead a might over two flavours of sports games one for people who like the tradional EA style game and one for those like me who have grown to resent EA(even though i like some of their games) we might even see a return of the NFL in this sencario.

but in all likely hood EA will fold 2K and i hope that sony will add the former 2k staff to their sportsline.

UUUhhhh......Come again....?

[brandonW]

@jmood88

i don't agree with you that it would make no sense. it would make sense if EA thinks they would gain more profit by having two sports games instead of one. but i guess agree with you that EA would in all likely hood absorb 2k, i just hope that sony will continue their sport franchises.

[yamabushi]

2K football, hockey and baseball will cease to exsist. That leaves the NBA2K team; with Live clearly an inferior product, EA's action on this will speak volumes as to their commitment to sports games.
Personely, I think the NBA2K team will be disolved as well, with no comp. for their own Live brand, why brother improving? Its EA or nothing for consumers. Hopefully in a year or 2 Sony, MS or maybe even activision will pick up the ball.

[kingdevin]

Re: EA's Hostile Takeover Attempt and Its Impacts

I think EA WOULD profit from putting out variations of the same sport. If they absorb 2K and discontinue all 2K sports titles, many would refrain from purchasing b/c of limited choices. If they put out a variety (i.e. Madden, Arena football, Head coach) of games, they can sell to gamers that have a variety of tastes. Keep in mind that Corporations have been known to form subsidiaries and put out a competing product so that if you don't like product A then buy product B - yet all in all the Corp still profits either way. I believe that since 2K has a large following, it might be advantageous to keep the 2K games and its gamers as well. Its a win win strategy.

[kenneth33]

bottom line for the old gamers like myself and others who like choose.well it,s coming to an end if and are when it happens my gaming days may be over !!