Ken Levine Close to New Deal With Take-Two
Electronic Arts [http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/].
The Grand Theft Auto [http://www.nypost.com/seven/07072008/business/gaming_eas_bid_118851.htm]. It's not even in the same universe."
While representatives for both Take-Two and Levine have declined to comment, analyst Evan Wilson of Pacific Crest Securities [http://www.pacific-crest.com/] said holding onto Levine was very important for Take-Two's efforts to hold out against EA's hostile takeover attempt. Wilson said that without Levine and other high-profile developers in its stable, Take-Two likely wouldn't be able to attract interest even at the level of EA's current offer, which Take-Two has dismissed as being too low. "Having certifiable hit makers on staff is rare," Wilson said. "If Take-Two tried to sell without development talent, then what would EA really be buying?" EA recently extended the deadline for its tender offer for outstanding shares of Take-Two for the fourth time, to July 18.
While BioShock is Levine's highest-profile project, he has worked on a remarkable assortment of acclaimed titles over the course of his career, including Tribes: Vengeance [http://www.mobygames.com/game/wall-street-tycoon].
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Electronic Arts [http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/].
The Grand Theft Auto [http://www.nypost.com/seven/07072008/business/gaming_eas_bid_118851.htm]. It's not even in the same universe."
While representatives for both Take-Two and Levine have declined to comment, analyst Evan Wilson of Pacific Crest Securities [http://www.pacific-crest.com/] said holding onto Levine was very important for Take-Two's efforts to hold out against EA's hostile takeover attempt. Wilson said that without Levine and other high-profile developers in its stable, Take-Two likely wouldn't be able to attract interest even at the level of EA's current offer, which Take-Two has dismissed as being too low. "Having certifiable hit makers on staff is rare," Wilson said. "If Take-Two tried to sell without development talent, then what would EA really be buying?" EA recently extended the deadline for its tender offer for outstanding shares of Take-Two for the fourth time, to July 18.
While BioShock is Levine's highest-profile project, he has worked on a remarkable assortment of acclaimed titles over the course of his career, including Tribes: Vengeance [http://www.mobygames.com/game/wall-street-tycoon].
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