EA attempting to buy Take-Two for $2 Billion

[Sporadic]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. (“EA”) (NASDAQ: ERTS - News) today announced that it has proposed to acquire Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (“Take-Two”) (NASDAQ: TTWO - News) in an all-cash merger valued at approximately $2.0 billion.

EA’s proposal of $26 per share in cash represents a premium of 64 percent over Take-Two’s closing stock price on Feb. 15th, the last trading day before EA sent its revised proposal to Take-Two, and a 63 percent premium over Take-Two’s 30-day trailing average price over the thirty trading days ending on that date.

EA’s proposal was contained in a letter sent on Feb. 19th by EA Chief Executive Officer John Riccitiello to Strauss Zelnick, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Take-Two. The Take-Two Board’s subsequent rejection of the EA proposal led to EA’s decision to release the letter and bring its proposal to the attention of all Take-Two shareholders.

Mr. Riccitiello said today: “Our all-cash proposal is a unique opportunity for Take-Two shareholders to realize immediate value at a substantial premium, while creating long-term value for EA shareholders. Take-Two’s game designers would also benefit from EA’s financial resources, stable, game-focused management team, and strong global publishing capabilities.”

The EA letter warned that further Take-Two delay in accepting EA’s proposal could prevent Take-Two’s shareholders and other constituents from realizing its benefits. “There can be no certainty that in the future EA or any other buyer would pay the same high premium we are offering today,” Mr. Riccitiello wrote. The letter added that timely completion of the proposed transaction would allow EA’s strong publishing and distribution network to positively impact the ongoing post-launch sales of GTA IV and support the new Take-Two titles scheduled for launch later in the year and during the holiday selling season.

As noted in EA’s Feb. 19th letter, EA’s proposal is not conditioned on any financing requirement. It is, however, subject to certain customary conditions as set forth in the letter. EA’s $26 per share proposal is based on the current equity capitalization of Take-Two. Although EA indicated in the letter that its proposal was subject to negotiations commencing by Feb. 22nd, EA intends to keep its proposal open for the present to give Take-Two’s shareholders and Board of Directors further time to consider it.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080224/20080224005062.html?.v=1

I love how they wait until right before GTA IV is released so they could soak up the profits from it while putting no money in for the development.

I also can't wait for GTA and Bioshock to be milked into shit along with 2K sports being destroyed.

[InuFaye]

GTA was already milked.

EA just wants to stop all competition.

[musha666]

2K sports was overrated. Sorry. Play All Star Football and see how bad it is.

EA does good business. Its hard to fault them for that. Move to Cuba if you dont like that.

[Vinny]

Soon, we'll have like 5 publishers: Nintendo, Sony, MS, EA, and Activision.

[Dark Slayer120]

EA will soon pwn gaming entirely! Then we will have nothing but FPS and Foosball yaya!!!!!

[gokou36]

Take-Two’s game designers would also benefit from EA’s financial resources, stable, game-focused management team, and strong global publishing capabilities.”

Didn't they recently close down Fight Night 3's studio?

[Thomas96]

If EA keeps getting all these development teams, they could essentially release their own console and make the games themselves. The could put Sony, Nintendo and MS consoles out of business. I'd definitely try to strengthen my ties to EA...

[mtxbass1]

Take-two would be stupid to turn down a 64% ALL CASH premium.

[tangytangerine]

Soon, we'll have like 5 publishers: Nintendo, Sony, MS, EA, and Activision.

So, you're saying Namco Bandai, Konami & Capcom will be bought up soon? I don't see that happening.

Speaking of companies being bought, why hasn't anyone bought Atari yet? That company seems to be circling the drain.

[KingBroly]

EA will make a console...

and they'll sell it in 729 individual parts ranging from $1.50 to $4.99

[akilshohen]

http://www.eatake2.com/faq.htm

[GreatNocturn357]

we're through the looking glass here people. with EA buying every company they can find, anything they publish will have product placement and crappy with "game play tweaks"...can't you leave us alone!!!!

[T1BillionX]

So, you're saying Namco Bandai, Konami & Capcom will be bought up soon? I don't see that happening.

Speaking of companies being bought, why hasn't anyone bought Atari yet? That company seems to be circling the drain.


Maybe he meant US based publishers, if he did then that list would be MS, Activision/Blizzard, and EA

[Hitze]

2K sports was overrated. Sorry. Play All Star Football and see how bad it is.



Ah, it's a good thing 2k Sports only makes football games.
Oh, wait.

The NBA & College Hoops 2k games absolutely fucking destroy EA's basketball games.

[sj41]

Wow, this sounded fake when I saw the title, but I guess it's legit. EA basically wasted all that cash with the NFL exclusive license as 2K was their only real competitor. It would be crazy to see this happen after all the other mergers. It would put EA back on top for sure.

[CocheseUGA]

EA does good business. Its hard to fault them for that. Move to Cuba if you dont like that.

Ahh Cuba...where there is no competition for healthcare or news. So yes, less competition making games is good?

Was that the parallel you were trying to draw, or were you being obtuse?

[CaseyRyback]

Ahh Cuba...where there is no competition for healthcare or news. So yes, less competition making games is good?

Was that the parallel you were trying to draw, or were you being obtuse?


You do know that Cuba has a really great healthcare system right?

Also good for EA. As long as they continue to make the games on the platforms I like and make games I like I have no problem with them.

[CocheseUGA]

You do know that Cuba has a really great healthcare system right?

Some ways yes, some ways absolutely not.

[bardiya27]

I am actually curious to see what would happen to the NBA 2K series if EA purchases take-two.

I've always loved NBA 2K's gameplay, animation, and realism, but I always envied NBA Live for it's presentation and graphics.

[Sarang01]

You do know that Cuba has a really great healthcare system right?

Also good for EA. As long as they continue to make the games on the platforms I like and make games I like I have no problem with them.

The issue is most of the game franchises they get ahold of they turn to shit. They're also have almost no originality.
If everyone followed EA's example the gaming industry would be dead. They're hacks plain and simple.

[torifile]

This might be a good time to put in a buy order on some TTWO stock. It's at $17.xx right now. At a $26/share offer, that's a nice chunk of profit very quickly. Even if the EA offer doesn't go through, there will most likely be a jump in price.

[MSUHitman]

If this happens I will never buy another sports game again.

[Chris Dillon]

That faqs is hilarious. LOVE EA.

[H.Cornerstone]

I hope this gets blocked due to anti-trust and monopoly issues.

You do know that Cuba has a really great healthcare system right?

Also good for EA. As long as they continue to make the games on the platforms I like and make games I like I have no problem with them.

Good in the sense that it's free? Yes. Good in the sense of technology? God no.

[Viva Las Vegas]

2K sports was overrated. Sorry. Play All Star Football and see how bad it is.

EA does good business. Its hard to fault them for that. Move to Cuba if you dont like that.
Wow, your a regular brainiac.

[heavyd853]

Cuba is the healthiest country in the hemisphere.

[CocheseUGA]

Cuba is the healthiest country in the hemisphere.

It's funny, but that's not even remotely true.

Check out these numbers (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/778385.stm), which are based on the WHO's DALY system. (Note: 2000 is the latest data)

[GizmoGC]

3DO Part II?

I'll buy it...not.

[Thomas96]

The truth is Take Two makes good games, and EA needs these guys under their belts so that they can make better games. It was just last week EA was displeased in regards to their low review scores. Having teams from Take two definitely will help EA to produce better quality games. They could have bought Sega.. but having sega isn't going to help them produce better games.

[Survivor Charlie]

More proof that 90% of video game players are ignorant to the industry. EA is NOT going to release a console. The company's entire business model is based on multiplatform releases and this will never change. So please shut the fuck up about EA bringing out a console. It's not happening ever. Period. End of story.

On a side note, EA proves once again that they are the biggest hypocrits in the industry. Not even a two weeks ago they were complaining to Next Gen about all the buyouts that Activision is doing. EA continues to prove they are the biggest whiners in the industry.

If I was an EA stock holder, I would be pissed about this deal because they really can't afford it. And although the GTA series is worth it's weight in gold (I'm not personally a fan of the series, but it's one of the five best franchises in gaming today), every other IP they would get in this deal is dead or dying. It's a bad deal IMO.

And there is one other aspect that should have gamers furious. EA has said time and time again that they only make "classy" M rated games, like the Godfather, and that some companies (and by some, they obviously mean Rockstar) make classless M rated games. If you're a GTA fan, the series as you know it will be changed drasticly by time EA standards and practices takes a look at it.

[FriskyTanuki]

Didn't they recently close down Fight Night 3's studio?
One of them. EA Canada, which made the PS3 version, is still around to keep the series going.

Speaking of companies being bought, why hasn't anyone bought Atari yet? That company seems to be circling the drain.
Because they're smart enough to stay away from them.

[Survivor Charlie]

Well actually, Atari's value lies in it's catalog. I actually think Nintendo is waiting for them to declare bankrupcy so they can buy Atari's IPs for a song, only for their back game catalog and not for their studios. After that, Nintendo can add Atari to their Virtual Console, and also make retro style Atari games using Nintendo themes. Donkey Pong anyone? Mario's Tempest? The Legend of Zelda: Crystal Castles? Star Fox Asteroids? Kirby's Centipede? Are you drooling yet?

[DQT]

On a side note, EA proves once again that they are the biggest hypocrits in the industry. Not even a two weeks ago they were complaining to Next Gen about all the buyouts that Activision is doing.



Yeah they did. Their CEO John Riccitiello did have me fooled into thinking they were the good guys.


If I was an EA stock holder, I would be pissed about this deal because they really can't afford it. And although the GTA series is worth it's weight in gold (I'm not personally a fan of the series, but it's one of the five best franchises in gaming today), every other IP they would get in this deal is dead or dying. It's a bad deal IMO.


Really? BioShock, Oblivion and Civilization. 2k games has become a really strong label for them.

[FriskyTanuki]

Well actually, Atari's value lies in it's catalog. I actually think Nintendo is waiting for them to declare bankrupcy so they can buy Atari's IPs for a song, only for their back game catalog and not for their studios. After that, Nintendo can add Atari to their Virtual Console, and also make retro style Atari games using Nintendo themes. Donkey Pong anyone? Mario's Tempest? The Legend of Zelda: Crystal Castles? Star Fox Asteroids? Kirby's Centipede? Are you drooling yet?
I'm not so sure Infogrames would be willing to sell off that part of their US subsidiary, probably just the guts.

[Survivor Charlie]

The only thing they have of value is their back catalog.

You're a wrestling fan right? It's like when WWF bought WCW. Sure, the Invasion angle made a quick buck (and stunk up the joint something fierce) but the real long term value was in the tape collection. With every DVD they've put out, that tape collection has been worth it's weight in gold.

It's the only thing worth money and if Infograms 'sells' Atari, the IPs will go with it. Their studios are already all folded or have been subleased out. They don't even have the Dragon Ball license anymore. They have nothing.

[defiance_17]

Wow, your a regular brainiac.
Ironing.

It's bad enough that I can look forward to Mass Effect 2009. I wish EA would stop trying to "expand" by buying, and then raping, once-great franchises.

[mikefavata]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/joeyblue/britney.jpg

Leaveeeee Take-Two aloooooooooooooooooooooooooooone!!!!!!

Fucking EA, they are just as bad as GameStop.

[FriskyTanuki]

The only thing they have of value is their back catalog.

You're a wrestling fan right? It's like when WWF bought WCW. Sure, the Invasion angle made a quick buck (and stunk up the joint something fierce) but the real long term value was in the tape collection. With every DVD they've put out, that tape collection has been worth it's weight in gold.

It's the only thing worth money and if Infograms 'sells' Atari, the IPs will go with it. Their studios are already all folded or have been subleased out. They don't even have the Dragon Ball license anymore. They have nothing.
Of course they still have the DBZ license, where'd you get the idea that they don't have it anymore? They were showing off the next-gen game, Burst Limit, last week at GDC. It's the only thing that's keeping them from sinking quickly.

The problem with Atari is that they're wasting Infogrames' money with too many games that don't make a profit.

[Survivor Charlie]

Of course they still have the DBZ license, where'd you get the idea that they don't have it anymore? They were showing off the next-gen game, Burst Limit, last week at GDC. It's the only thing that's keeping them from sinking quickly.

The problem with Atari is that they're wasting Infogrames' money with too many games that don't make a profit.

By lost the license, I mean they've been informed that the license won't be renewed when it's up at the end of this year... or is the end of 2009 (2010?).

I think they missed the boat by not using their classic IPs. I mean, there could be serious money made with properly produced next-gen reworkings of classic games. Crystal Castles for example. Or a Centipede that doesn't suck. I mean, Centipede screams for a 1st person shooter, does it not? Hell, even a ultra-dated franchise like Pong could find new legs on the Nintendo Wii. And that's where Infograms/Atari messed up. The Atari name should still carry weight but they're not milking their classics. Nintendo is pretty much the most sucessful video game company ever and the reason is they dance with what brung them. Mario, Zelda, etc.

[62t]

well atari cant be doing worst than ubi, which EA already owned 19.9%

As for Atari they actually settled a dispute with the dbz license and own it through 2010

http://wii.ign.com/articles/840/840586p1.html

[FriskyTanuki]

By lost the license, I mean they've been informed that the license won't be renewed when it's up at the end of this year... or is the end of 2009 (2010?).

I think they missed the boat by not using their classic IPs. I mean, there could be serious money made with properly produced next-gen reworkings of classic games. Crystal Castles for example. Or a Centipede that doesn't suck. I mean, Centipede screams for a 1st person shooter, does it not? Hell, even a ultra-dated franchise like Pong could find new legs on the Nintendo Wii. And that's where Infograms/Atari messed up. The Atari name should still carry weight but they're not milking their classics. Nintendo is pretty much the most sucessful video game company ever and the reason is they dance with what brung them. Mario, Zelda, etc.
They resolved the dispute and renewed (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=66845&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=1085895&)the license in December until 2010.

It takes a keen eye to update classics for the next-gen, as they'd have to take care to get a Bionic Commando instead of a Bomberman: Act Zero. Their games would have to be greatly fleshed out to make for halfway decent next-gen games. Centipede could go the route of Lost Planet or a light-gun shooter on the Wii. Pong's a tough upgrade considering it's had plenty of 3D updates, unless they decide to turn it into an actual tennis game.

[Trenchalicious]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/joeyblue/britney.jpg

Leaveeeee Take-Two aloooooooooooooooooooooooooooone!!!!!!

Fucking EA, they are just as bad as GameStop.

I always thought that was a girl, but someone told me it was a dude. Emo kids are way too $$$gy these days. I liked it better when they just wore black and sat it corners thinking to themselves.

Anyways, EA is a joke. They will buy anything they can whore out. They want to get their grubby paws on titles with a huge fanbase, then do as little work as possible and make endless sequels with no heart put into them. (How many Sims expansions have they put out? like 100. Madden hasn't been good for about 5 years.) They are nothing but bad for the consoles. I would much rather see Microsoft buy them like what was thought could happen months ago. I like to see games that are in development for more than 6-9 months... why? because those games have real fucking effort and heart put into them!

[life.exe]

Anyways, EA is a joke. They will buy anything they can whore out. They want to get their grubby paws on titles with a huge fanbase, then do as little work as possible and make endless sequels with no heart put into them. (How many Sims expansions have they put out? like 100. Madden hasn't been good for about 5 years.) They are nothing but bad for the consoles. I would much rather see Microsoft buy them like what was thought could happen months ago. I like to see games that are in development for more than 6-9 months... why? because those games have real fucking effort and heart put into them!

QFTMFT

[lordxixor101]

Well, premarket trading has TTWO going close to $26. This usually means that the people buying think this is all but a done deal. All cash deal for the company at a huge premium, I think Take Two has to take it, just out of a stockholder responsibility (every company has a responsibility to do what is best for the stockholders).

That being said, I'm not sure how EA is going to make up the difference here. Are they going to pump out a GTA game every year? I can't see this being that great for the GTA franchise, unless Take Two has a few new IP's in development that are going to be blockbuster.

[mikefavata]

Anyways, EA is a joke. They will buy anything they can whore out. They want to get their grubby paws on titles with a huge fanbase, then do as little work as possible and make endless sequels with no heart put into them. (How many Sims expansions have they put out? like 100. Madden hasn't been good for about 5 years.) They are nothing but bad for the consoles. I would much rather see Microsoft buy them like what was thought could happen months ago. I like to see games that are in development for more than 6-9 months... why? because those games have real fucking effort and heart put into them!

Truer words have never been spoken, I salute you.

[torifile]

Well, premarket trading has TTWO going close to $26. This usually means that the people buying think this is all but a done deal. All cash deal for the company at a huge premium, I think Take Two has to take it, just out of a stockholder responsibility (every company has a responsibility to do what is best for the stockholders).

That being said, I'm not sure how EA is going to make up the difference here. Are they going to pump out a GTA game every year? I can't see this being that great for the GTA franchise, unless Take Two has a few new IP's in development that are going to be blockbuster.
I couldn't get my buy order in on time before this jump in price. Stupid etrade. Ah well.

BTW, the company is *not* obligated to take an offer just because it's at a premium to their current stock price. You only have to look at the recent MS/Yahoo deal to see that. The board just needs to justify why they think that sort of cash offer is less than what they should get. YHOO did it without much of an impact on their stock price. I think that TTWO can too.

[BillyBob29]

I couldn't get my buy order in on time before this jump in price. Stupid etrade. Ah well.


It had nothing to do with Etrade. The price changed the instant the news was announced, while the markets were closed, so your only hope of getting all of the 50% pop was to be long Friday before the close of the aftermarket trading session. The news created an instant price gap between Friday's close and today's open. You can see that pre-market trading opened the shares at $25 today. There was 0 chance of getting the stock today at Friday's closing price.

Still, there were some nice gains to be had after the open today. I bought a breakout of the opening range at $25.85 and ran it up with a trailing stop to $26.72.

THQI also moved nicely today in sympathy.

[Dark Slayer120]

Anyways, EA is a joke. They will buy anything they can whore out. They want to get their grubby paws on titles with a huge fanbase, then do as little work as possible and make endless sequels with no heart put into them. (How many Sims expansions have they put out? like 100. Madden hasn't been good for about 5 years.) They are nothing but bad for the consoles. I would much rather see Microsoft buy them like what was thought could happen months ago. I like to see games that are in development for more than 6-9 months... why? because those games have real fucking effort and heart put into them!

Well said.

[akilshohen]

I honestly think 100 SIMS expansions isn't a understatement either.

[lordxixor101]

I couldn't get my buy order in on time before this jump in price. Stupid etrade. Ah well.

BTW, the company is *not* obligated to take an offer just because it's at a premium to their current stock price. You only have to look at the recent MS/Yahoo deal to see that. The board just needs to justify why they think that sort of cash offer is less than what they should get. YHOO did it without much of an impact on their stock price. I think that TTWO can too.

Your not obligated, you are correct. That being said, stock holders priced Take Two with likely very optimistic thoughts for GTAIV. So, if they are turning away a very nice premium, they better be able to justify it. Remember, the stock holders threw out the board of Take Two about a year ago for underperforming. I'm not sure this board (or the managment) has the political capital to turn away the trade (because, you can be sure there will be lawsuits if they don't pull the trigger).

Also, I'm not so sure that the Yahoo example is that great. Don't be so sure if, in the future, Yahoo doesn't get sold for a smaller premium. There were some very upset investors for Yahoo not jumping at that deal.

[DQT]

It would make me smile if Nintendo bought out Take Two instead.

[Sarang01]

It would make me smile if Nintendo bought out Take Two instead.

Ditto. EA is only doing this for two reasons: 1.To get GTA. 2.To kill their real sports competition.

From a business standpoint it's a great idea as they kill two birds with one stone. As a gamer I hate it because EA is going to destroy the quality of this company. I'm most disgusted with the fact the Sports games will be killed so EA's stuff doesn't go unimpeded.
I wonder if one could argue a case of EA trying to create a monopoly in Sports games to the FCC. I mean aren't there some Sports games where EA's and Take Two's offerings are the only one's available or am I wrong?

[torifile]

It had nothing to do with Etrade. The price changed the instant the news was announced, while the markets were closed, so your only hope of getting all of the 50% pop was to be long Friday before the close of the aftermarket trading session. The news created an instant price gap between Friday's close and today's open. You can see that pre-market trading opened the shares at $25 today. There was 0 chance of getting the stock today at Friday's closing price.

Still, there were some nice gains to be had after the open today. I bought a breakout of the opening range at $25.85 and ran it up with a trailing stop to $26.72.

THQI also moved nicely today in sympathy.
That's not true. There's pre-market trading and that's where the pop occurred. I transfered money between my money market and stock accounts yesterday, but etrade didn't let me trade on that money until this morning. So, yes, stupid etrade. They had the money but wouldn't let me place an order.

[VipFREAK]

Welp... it continues.

[kill3r7]

Ditto. EA is only doing this for two reasons: 1.To get GTA. 2.To kill their real sports competition.



If this deal goes through EA will have a monopoly on the sports market. The sports series are more important/bigger than GTA due to the annual updates. Furthermore, EA could potentially own two of the most popular games of last year in Mass Effect and Bioshock.

[BillyBob29]

That's not true. There's pre-market trading and that's where the pop occurred. I transfered money between my money market and stock accounts yesterday, but etrade didn't let me trade on that money until this morning. So, yes, stupid etrade. They had the money but wouldn't let me place an order.

The first trade placed in the pre market trading session occured at $25.00. You could not have bought the stock today at Fridays close. The stock STARTED premarket trading at $25. It gapped up from Fridays close. There were NO TRADES between the close of the aftermarket session on Friday and the premarket action today.

Check the order book, last trade on Friday was at 4:13pm, 3200 shares traded at $17.1134. Then you look at the first trade on the order book today, 7:07 am 16100 shares traded at $25.

There were no trades between $17.1134 and $25, the news created a gap up.

The pop was already priced in before the pre-market session opened, it happens all the time when companies report news/earnings on the weekends or after the market has completely closed.

[torifile]

The first trade placed in the pre market trading session occured at $25.00. You could not have bought the stock today at Fridays close. The stock STARTED premarket trading at $25. It gapped up from Fridays close. There were NO TRADES between the close of the aftermarket session on Friday and the premarket action today.

Check the order book, last trade on Friday was at 4:13pm, 3200 shares traded at $17.1134. Then you look at the first trade on the order book today, 7:07 am 16100 shares traded at $25.

There were no trades between $17.1134 and $25, the news created a gap up.

The pop was already priced in before the pre-market session opened, it happens all the time when companies report news/earnings on the weekends or after the market has completely closed.
Learn something new everyday. Thanks. :)

[Sarang01]

If this deal goes through EA will have a monopoly on the sports market. The sports series are more important/bigger than GTA due to the annual updates. Furthermore, EA could potentially own two of the most popular games of last year in Mass Effect and Bioshock.

EA is an illness in this industry, they do nothing but harm and them metastasizing like they are is especially frightening.
I hope if they try to buy Capcom or any Japanese gaming company they don't let a bunch of idiot Gaijin buy them.

[defiance_17]

EA is an illness in this industry, they do nothing but harm and them metastasizing like they are is especially frightening.
I hope if they try to buy Capcom or any Japanese gaming company they don't let a bunch of idiot Gaijin buy them.
I agree, but it just goes to show how video games are becoming more and more a major part of the entertainment industry. This is the same thing that happens with music and movies--and the major studios/labels are able to make money by recycling the same garbage because 90% of the population is absolutely clueless. This goes without saying, but the only way to stop EA from pulling these stunts is to stop buying their games. And that's not going to happen.

I guess we'll just have to turn into video game hipsters by only playing indie games and spending a lot of time complaining about Major Developers and the ignorant "mainstream" gamers.

[Sarang01]

I agree, but it just goes to show how video games are becoming more and more a major part of the entertainment industry. This is the same thing that happens with music and movies--and the major studios/labels are able to make money by recycling the same garbage because 90% of the population is absolutely clueless. This goes without saying, but the only way to stop EA from pulling these stunts is to stop buying their games. And that's not going to happen.

I guess we'll just have to turn into video game hipsters by only playing indie games and spending a lot of time complaining about Major Developers and the ignorant "mainstream" gamers.

The problem is the lack of indie product and if it's there it's usually shit, at least the stuff from Gaijin. No offense but if XBLA indie stuff is any indication most of it is gimmicky shit period.
I'd rather play Doujin by Japanese. That's where "Melty Blood" came from after all.

Oh and before someone tries to say I'm saying ALL indie Western gaming product is shit that's not what I'm saying. I like "Alien Hominid" for one. I just think the Japanese have a better success rate in terms of quality with their Doujin.
If we want to know where good Indie is especially with a budget, look to Sega before Sammy bought them, specifically when it was nearing it's end on the DC. This is when we got JSR, Space Channel 5, Rez and Segagaga. The latter of these I'm told was Doujin to begin with.

[Ragekod]

I always thought that was a girl, but someone told me it was a dude. Emo kids are way too $$$gy these days. I liked it better when they just wore black and sat it corners thinking to themselves.

Anyways, EA is a joke. They will buy anything they can whore out. They want to get their grubby paws on titles with a huge fanbase, then do as little work as possible and make endless sequels with no heart put into them. (How many Sims expansions have they put out? like 100. Madden hasn't been good for about 5 years.) They are nothing but bad for the consoles. I would much rather see Microsoft buy them like what was thought could happen months ago. I like to see games that are in development for more than 6-9 months... why? because those games have real fucking effort and heart put into them!
QFT!

As much as I love GTA, I really don't want to see GTA V coming out within the year. I think I would get tired of GTA of EA would keep releasing it yearly.

[Nifty_Shark]

The issue is most of the game franchises they get ahold of they turn to shit. They're also have almost no originality.
If everyone followed EA's example the gaming industry would be dead. They're hacks plain and simple.

EA doesn't develop anything original but they do publish games that are very original or different. We have been bashing EA because they they were the first publisher to turn into what we saw as an eveil empire. I see Ubisoft more like that and Activision is milking almost every franchise. EA is now the one catching up with those two in terms of milking all franchises.

[Friend of Sonic]

Yeah, EA every so often will create or publish something that pushes the boundary of the mainstream and conventional game that they're known for. Too bad they turn around and put out six pieces of crappy shit afterwards.

[DQT]

EA doesn't develop anything original but they do publish games that are very original or different. We have been bashing EA because they they were the first publisher to turn into what we saw as an eveil empire. I see Ubisoft more like that and Activision is milking almost every franchise. EA is now the one catching up with those two in terms of milking all franchises.

Umm what? You kinda contradicted yourself in your first sentence. Catching up? EA has always been the king at milking franchises.

[Dark Slayer120]

Fuck EA

[Thomas96]

EA doesn't develop anything original but they do publish games that are very original or different. We have been bashing EA because they they were the first publisher to turn into what we saw as an eveil empire. I see Ubisoft more like that and Activision is milking almost every franchise. EA is now the one catching up with those two in terms of milking all franchises.



Well I definitely have to agree with not bashing EA. Basically, they've done their job, with games other than Madden. To me, Sega should be where EA is right now. We should be talking about Sega buying up developers, etc. But Sega is the one who ran their number one franchise into the ground. Virtua Fighter 5 [as good as it is] same game as 4, no new story, nothing really was new about it.

EA isn't perfect, but you have to tip your hat to them, because basically they did what they were supposed to do. Why couldn't Sega do it?!

[Sarang01]

EA doesn't develop anything original but they do publish games that are very original or different. We have been bashing EA because they they were the first publisher to turn into what we saw as an eveil empire. I see Ubisoft more like that and Activision is milking almost every franchise. EA is now the one catching up with those two in terms of milking all franchises.

You are kidding right? Name me anything art directionwise that matches "Panzer Dragoon", "Jet Set Radio", "Rez", "Gunvalkyrie". That doesn't even include the gameplay for some of the previously mentioned and then you have "Nights!". To be fair "Jet Set Radio" was the CLOSEST to a visual style explaining Hip-Hop anyone had gotten at the time. As far as I'm concerned it just summed up the culture visually. Sure there may have been at least a Raver look thrown in but Professor K and the others ARE Hip-Hop.
One of the ONLY games EA did something innovative with was "Majestic".

[akilshohen]

Well I definitely have to agree with not bashing EA. Basically, they've done their job, with games other than Madden. To me, Sega should be where EA is right now. We should be talking about Sega buying up developers, etc. But Sega is the one who ran their number one franchise into the ground. Virtua Fighter 5 [as good as it is] same game as 4, no new story, nothing really was new about it.

EA isn't perfect, but you have to tip your hat to them, because basically they did what they were supposed to do. Why couldn't Sega do it?!
What's funny about this whole thing is that it could of been prevented if EA just developed on Dreamcast in the first place. Since 2k started out on dreamcast. Now it's biting them back.
2k=VC=Sega Sports
The 2k series really got popular on dreamcast since it was really the only sports game available on there. There were those ESPN games by konami, but who bought those??
I really would get sick of GTA if it came out every year. I couldn't see EA even making something on the level of GTA Vice City and San Andreas.

[GuilewasNK]

2K sports was overrated. Sorry. Play All Star Football and see how bad it is.

EA does good business. Its hard to fault them for that. Move to Cuba if you dont like that.

Or play NBA 2K8 and see how awesome it is compared to the pile of shit known as Live. BTW, I prefer Madden over the 2K football games and I generally like most of EA's games, but they can't hold 2K's jock in basketball games.

[PocariSweat]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/Pocari_Sweat/eanazi3tm.gif

[Gentlegamer]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/Pocari_Sweat/eanazi3tm.gif/thread

[GuilewasNK]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/Pocari_Sweat/eanazi3tm.gif


EA never killed 6 million people, but other than that....