Activision ‘interested in Take-Two dev buy-outs’

An eventful week for Activision rolls on. MCV has heard claims at the highest level that the World Of Warcraft owner is eyeing a shock acquisition of rival Take-Two.

If true, and if successful, the bid would bring blockbuster brands and hit studios under one roof – Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, BioShock and World at Warcraft, all living together.

On Wednesday, Activision proved it isn’t afraid to abandon any under performing franchise as it focuses on the best of the best. Adding teams like Irrational and Rockstar Games to its stable would only underline that.

This week it cut short the life of both Guitar Hero and DJ Hero and canceled free-roaming action title True Crime: Hong Kong – but this has left the publisher with gap in its slate of IP which Take-Two’s games would capably fill.

"There are very strong rumours amongst people at a very senior level within the global business," a senior executive told MCV this week.

"But there’re not much more than that at the moment – they are just rumours. And, of course, given Activision’s news this week, everyone is now looking to see what their next move is. But you can definitely put two and two together and make four-ish."

More details on this story can be found over at MCV