MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Although many of the points raised by Take-Two’s Board are entirely true, we are somewhat amused that they are raised as negotiating points. Our point-by-point thoughts: 1. EA’s offer represented over a 50% premium to Take-Two’s closing price, and to its 200 day moving average share price. Take-Two shares have …
Read More »SHAREWATCH: Ubisoft stock jumps 12% after Clancy purchase
Shares in Ubisoft rose the most in two months yesterday, after the firm announced that it had bought the complete rights to the Tom Clancy franchise. According to Bloomberg, shares rose as much as 5.91 euros, or 12 percent, to 54.98 euros. Before yesterday’s rise, shares of Paris-based Ubisoft had …
Read More »Ubisoft: We can make Clancy movies
Ubisoft’s chief executive Yves Guillemot has said that the firm has the capacity to develop its own movies – and has its eye on a film based on the Tom Clancy franchise. However, Guillemot ruled out the possibility of a Rainbow Six movie – and said that any Ubisoft-created cinema …
Read More »HAVE YOUR SAY: The Byron Review
With just a few days to go until Tanya Byron unveils her in-depth report on violence in the modern media, we want our readers in the trade to outline what you think the potentially explosive Department for Children, Schools and Families review should recommend. Should we ditch PEGI and use …
Read More »Teachers Union slams violent games
The leader of the National Union of Teachers has hit out at violent video games for encouraging pupils to ‘kill pimps and prostitutes’. ITN reports that NUT secretary general Steve Sinnott showed concern that parents were ‘over-indulging’ their offspring – allowing them to play on games such as Grand Theft …
Read More »EAs CFO Jenson resigns
Electronic Arts CFO Warren Jenson is to leave the publisher. Jenson has served in the position for six years. He will stay with the firm to assist with its fiscal year-end close and financial reporting process – and ensure a smooth transition for his successor. "I want to thank Warren …
Read More »Ubisoft snaps up Tom Clancy IP for 60m
Ubisoft will no longer have to pay royalties to Tom Clancy after the new deal goes through, with Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter estimating that Ubisoft will pay around €60 million over three years. Post acquisition, Ubisoft expects to have a net cash position of around €130m by the end …
Read More »EA to publish GTA IV?
The industry’s most respected financial analysts have been discussing EA’s ‘hostile’ tender offer for Take Two – with some saying that it could happen quickly enough for Grand Theft Auto IV and Manhunt 2 to have EA’s name on their box. The group also deliberated the timescale of the deal …
Read More »Midway CEO David Zucker resigns
CEO of Midway David Zucker has resigned from the publisher. The company is now searching for a new leader to improve its market performance. Senior VP of worldwide studios Matthew Booty will take up the CEO role in the interim. "The board is confident that a new CEO will be …
Read More »ANALYST REACTION: EAs bid gets hostile
Do you think that Take Two’s shareholders will accept EA’s new direct/hostile bid of $26-per-share? Why? Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan I do think the bid will be accepted, but think TTWO management will come back next week and offer a friendly deal for more money (probably $1). Over half of …
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