Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy" - Kotaku Comments

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Justcrim — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:09:18 MST

Everyone sees this at bad monopoly buy outs. But I see it as a chance for Madden to add features. A chance for maybe EA to release 2 NFL licensed titles, one being Madden and one being a totally different view on football games. Maybe one that doesn't suck like Madden. EA has shown they can find studios to work outside the box on old tired sports games (like boring Tony Hawk being beat by brand new SKATE).

But, I really dont doubt Patcher here. When I first read the rumor, that was the first thing I thought. That they just want the gaming devision to help shake up their lagging sport dept. Then I remembered GTA comes with the deal! But, as much money as GTA makes, I would wonder if EA would take the money with all the lawsuits and bad rep that comes with publishing GTA.

Justcrim

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Spoony Bard — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:21:19 MST

Those of you that applaud this - think again. A monopoly only allows them to get lazy and release sub-par games, knowing that gamers will flock in droves. This is lazy gamemaking and frankly, unethical. Competition is what MADE the game industry what it is today.

Don't believe me?

...Have you PLAYED Madden 2008? Yeah, lots of innovation there. It's amazing how many suckers, I mean gamers, buy the Madden expansion pack every year for $50 (now $60).

Spoony Bard

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

shufflemoomin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:19:53 MST

The 2K sports game have ALWAYS been the better choice. I hate EA and I wish they'd fuck off and spend some time making their own sports games better and compete like men instead of buying out the competition in the hope that we'll buy the shitboxes they put out year after year.

shufflemoomin

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Soldier_CLE scratches himself, seems pleased. — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:03:58 MST

For years, I've honestly wondered why people would buy what is practically the same game with a few different names and stats, marked with a different year, as if it makes that big enough a difference to pay $60.

Like some of the others on here, I've also not bought an EA Sports game in years. I think the last EA game that I've bought was in 2003?

What EA hadn't figured out is that even though there is the fact that they could buy out the competition, that the lack of competition and mediocre products being churned out will make consumers (The gamers) uninterested in the brand altogether. If they keep buying other products and not make the improvements to their games, it hurts the industry as a whole.

I'm just one person, but I honestly haven't bought an EA game in a while. But I am sure that there are others that are just as turned off by the EA Brand in general.

Soldier_CLE scratches himself, seems pleased.

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Altima NEO — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:39:29 MST

Its bad enough they have Bioware. Seriously EA. Fuck off.

Altima NEO

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

homerj — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:47:44 MST

EA has killed a lot of sports franchises...NFL is obvious, so I won't mention that..

NASCAR..with their exclusive license since 2003, they killed off what is still the best NASCAR sim on the market. How good was NRS 2003? Look on ebay where copies start at about $150. Hell, it's the only one actual drivers use.

PGA Tour. Basically killed off Links, and any other simulation golf game. You have the Tiger Woods shoot a 49 at St. Andrews, and the cartoon golf games.

FIFA. Pro Evo is hanging on by a thread. Some of this is due to Konami putting out a sub par "next gen" version, but the lack of leagues like the EPL really hurt. It's basically on its last legs.

Now, I'm no fan of 2k sports. Their basketball and football games are top notch, but anything from "Kush Games", like their baseball and hockey games are horrible, bug ridden duds. But at least there's a choice.

homerj

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Siguy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:22:54 MST

Not enough people here are mentioning NBA 2k8/9/whatever.

That's a genre where the Take Two version is seriously, obviously vastly superior to its EA counterpart and has been for years. if this deal goes down, people like me, a minority who adore 2k basketball, are going to be stuck with nothing.

Siguy

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

KagaSakai — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:34:31 MST

Fuck EA. It's too bad they will someday kill the industry. This kind of shit makes me sick.

KagaSakai

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Shevin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:24:25 MST

That's a shame, EA should be trying to beat 2K games with innovation and fun gameplay. Buying them out will not be a good thing for any gamer.

Shevin

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

nxp3 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:42:22 MST

Fuck EA and madden man....bring back cyberball. I'll play robot football anyday. I give up on sports game.

nxp3

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

huginn — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:20:01 MST

I think I'md done buying video games from

huginn

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Katorok — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:03:19 MST

@Archaotic: easy, don't buy sports games, they were never any real fun anyways..

Katorok

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Frank — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:27:46 MST

Give it a couple more years, then EA-2 and Activizzard will merge into UniGame Inc.

God Help Us All.

Frank

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

NutManIV — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:13:43 MST

@Lachoy:

Uh youre talking about 2k5 right? I hope youre joking. Legends looked basically the same as 2k5 and that game looks...well...kinda shitty. Especially compared to madden 08 which looks great.

NutManIV

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

jspeed04 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:03:31 MST

Breaks my heart to even see this get this much press. No 2k sports means no more sports games for me... ever. Im not even a huge MLB fan or NHL fan, and I can see the negative ramifications that this imposes on us gamers!

It's really a shame, I was already looking forward to NBA 2k9, I even had suggestions on how they could make it better!

//cries

jspeed04

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Fnor — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:52:49 MST

@misterthou: There are elements of any product that are subjective and personal. One person likes the curvy razor for its curviness and another person doesn't. Saying that games are special is a bit silly.

In any case, I was responding to the claim that monopolies are anticapitalist, which isn't true.

@labrats5: That doesn't circumvent copyright law, it just makes the company and the fans infringers.

Fnor

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

labrats5 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:43:13 MST

Okay, someone out there needs to start playing dirty with EA. My idea: a football game without the NFL license, but allows users to create their own players, stadiums, teams, etc. Relaese it as a private beta. the community will immediately create every NFL team and player in history. Then release the game to the masses. Anyone would then be able to download every team in history, with their favorite player, and the best part is the since it is user created it completely circumvents copyright law.

labrats5

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DefDealer — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:29:38 MST

I miss the 2K games that went for $19.99. TO and Ben Wallace was on the cover of both games...It was awesome...EA got a shit fit and had to buy the NFL license out right@!

DefDealer

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

GamjawanG — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:26:12 MST

They may not be taken seriously, but at the same time, let's not forget what happened to Cooper Lawrence after she bashed Mass Effect on Fox News without ever playing or seeing the game. A slew of angry gamers went to Amazon.com, and gave her book a low rating, forcing Amazon to suspend ratings on the book, and having Lawrence go and recant her statement. I figure, if you get enough gamers to cause a stir, regardless, at least Take Two has to take some kind of notice to this.

Please, even if you think it is a waste of time, take 1 minute out of your day to sign this petition for the sake of gamers everywhere.

[www.petitiononline.com]

GamjawanG

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DaiMacculate — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:23:30 MST

@DashTheHand: The screwy part is, if they let me kill John Madden in GTA, especially if I could do it with my bare hands, that would almost be worth EA buying 2K sports.

Almost.

Do it in the Wii version and we have a deal ;)

DaiMacculate

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Foxstar Sixtail — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:20:19 MST

@GamjawanG: You do know those are huge wastes of time and never taken seriously, right?

Foxstar Sixtail

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

misterthou — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:17:42 MST

@Fnor: The main problem is that video games are largely works of art. Two companies can produce two different licensed sports game using the same rosters, basic game elements, etc but the subtle differences between game A and game B would lead to different people valuing each game differently.

It's not just about efficency and price as there are elements of the product that subjective and personal.

Certainly, there are other sports titles and many non-licensed games. But, there any many people who value sports games modeled after real pro/college sports. That still doesn't mean those people are happy with the EA-vision of a pro sports sim. Having only one vision of a licensed sports franchise leaves those who desire a licensed experience but different vision/approach with no where to go. In other words, it leaves a set gamers without games. Likewise, such reality probably won't benefit the rest of the gamers who don't mind EA's vision. It's not like sports titles are going to get any cheaper. Consumers as a whole don't benenfit, and a niche of consumers are left without what they consider viable products to purchase. All in all, a losing situation.

misterthou

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

surferboi — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:11:11 MST

The software industry is around $8.5bln in consoles in north america alone, EA and Take Two combined are less than 20% of that figure in north america. Doesn't sound like that's enough to corner the market.

surferboi

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Seven Is Darker — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:06:47 MST

Why do they try to corner the market as if its totally not illegal?

Seven Is Darker

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Fnor — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:44:24 MST

@Archaotic: There is nothing inherently anticapitalist about being a monopolist. So long as you are charging a competitive price and servicing the consumers and not unfairly barring new entry, capitalism is fine and dandy. You are creating the most wealth in the most efficient way.

Everyone seems to forget that "sports games" is more broad than "sports games Americans care about," anyway. Even the fake "sports videogames" market is more broad than that, since it would include all the soccer games, and the unlicensed "arcade" sports games.

Fnor

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

wild_world_girl — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:40:58 MST

We needed an "analyst" to tell us this?

wild_world_girl

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

GamjawanG — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:37:35 MST

A petition has been started for all of us who are against the sale of Take Two to EA...

[www.petitiononline.com]

GamjawanG

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DaiMacculate — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:28:59 MST

@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: Yeah I was basing my comment on playing the Demo, which again as a non-football game player looked ok to me but I'm not shocked to hear the full game had issues. The point is, they spent much less time developing it than they should have, hardly marketed it at all, and nobody bought it. Its pretty hard for 2K to continue competing when thats the result, and I agree they should try again, but I can also understand, given the financial difficulties of the company, that it might not be economically feasible unless something changes, either with the license or 2K itself. Basically, what you just said but more money-focused on All-Pro ;)

Keeping my fingers crossed that there are more good 2k sports games to come, because I know we can't count on EA alone, their games will probably get even worse without competition.

DaiMacculate

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

runandgun — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:18:01 MST

This is bad news for me. I'm a fan of nba 2k basketball games...they are gonna fuck it all up by forcing me to play live.

runandgun

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live. — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:04:02 MST

@DaiMacculate: you know, if there was going to be a 2K9,Visual Concepts would definitely have to come up with a better 3D engine. I played and enjoyed All Pro but damn if that engine wasn't glitchy in the close ups of players and in some of the motion capture of the introductions. It looked good while you were on the field but All Pro seemed like a bit of a rush job built on the 2k5 engine.

My attitude is this. Make a 2k9 but make it with serious effort and not a "let's use spiced up old tech" mentality. Go balls to the wall and make the best football game ever conceived. Create an extensive history in this make believe league so we can have a franchise mode...bring back the crib...bring back the custom soundtracks, bring back the fans in the stands cut scenes... If Visual Concepts can never make another football game again, then go out swinging like a champ, not bent over like a bitch. Make a 2k9 that is so much better than any Madden, that EA will never want to make another version again.

Just sayin'

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

weeoo — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:01:53 MST

Yeah suuuuure they do:P
Besides, the only sports game that's selling well nowdays is Madden, so why do they want the 2K franchise for? seems like the only way EA is making money nowdays is by owning pretty much every game studios known to man, that's why most of the games they have been making nowdays hasn't been all that good...

weeoo

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Lelio — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:54:36 MST

So wait a sec. Instead of buying the developer when Sega sold them for a song, EA waited until it would cost 2 Billion?

I still think they want GTA and the sports Dev is the gravy. The NBA and NHL have refused exclusive licenses and Activision can jump in at any time.

Lelio

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Silent Predator — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:51:24 MST

Now the final piece of the puzzle falls into place. I hadn't really thought about this deal. It did seem odd to me that EA would pick Take Two out of all the companies. Now it makes sense.

I was really disappointed after EA picked up the exclusive license for the NFL, now more so. Less competition is never good. Hopefully Take Two will fight the good fight.

Silent Predator

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DaiMacculate — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:46:47 MST

@snakepliskin: See you must be one of the many, many people who didn't buy All-Pro 2k8, hence there not likely being a 2k9...I didn't either, but in my defense I don't like Football games. Just letting you know, they did try to do something similar to what you describe, perhaps with a less robust "create a player/team" system than you're imagining though.

DaiMacculate

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Archaotic — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:39:57 MST

@kyosen:
Capitalism? EA's going for a total monopoly. That's the antithesis of capitalism. If EA ever secures that, it'd not only creatively gut the entirety of pro sports gaming, but it'd make them able to set the prices to whatever they want, for every sports game. There's nothing good about this deal for anyone.

...except T2's shareholders, I guess. They must be dancing right now.

Archaotic

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Sollus — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:38:33 MST

I hope EA gets their asses sued off. Money before content and Riccwhateverthehellhisstupidnameis... is a goddamn liar about this "supposed" reorganization. He's also a liar about not buying anyone out in the foreseeable future but I didn't believe that load either.

Sollus

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Dakobah — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:37:01 MST

give me Top Spin 3 and ill be happy.

but if you cancel Top Spin 3, there will be hell to pay EA.

Dakobah

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

surferboi — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:34:34 MST

All the EA haters sound like babies! Where were all of you when Activision brought Blizzard along?

I'm looking forward to Deal or No Deal, thats a big license EA is going to get from the indie publisher known as Take Two. And Go Diego Go. Gimme a break. TT2 are all of a sudden the darlings of the industry because of Bioshock and GTA4. I dont see how this deal brings the quality of games down further.

I'm pretty excited about the possibility of the gameplay of NBA 2K6 matched with the visuals of NBA Live 08. Lets keep hating on the big guys, its the hipster trend amongst gamerz these days.

surferboi

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

kyosen — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:33:30 MST

that's capitalism for ya.

kyosen

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

snakepliskin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:31:44 MST

God why does EA love to destroy souls? Seriously they need another nfl2k game minus the nfl and have made up teams plus a create your own team kind of like blitz the league without being total shit. I would totally make the sharks like in Any Given Sunday and my rival team would be EA Monopoly.

snakepliskin

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

ostartero — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:31:11 MST

@MasterOfPastures: Uh, but gravity doesn't go "downwards".

ostartero

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Archaotic — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:28:59 MST

@WaterMedia:
Second'd!

This really doesn't please me. Take-Two, keep fighting! Don't let them swallow you up! I've already boycotted EA and Activision, don't make me add you to the list too!

Archaotic

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

FelicioLostHorizonPT — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:24:46 MST

EA is learning well from M$ if u cant beat them...buy them!

FelicioLostHorizonPT

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Koztah — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:24:15 MST

The last sports game I played was Blades of Steel, and we didn't give a crap about NHL licenses and whatnot.

If you really love a sport for the sport, and not the whole athlete worshipping, you can get your fix of sports games without any big names attached.

And you can go outside and play, too.

Koztah

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live. — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:23:52 MST

forgive my typos, I'm still at work and not exactly thrilled to be here today.

Anyways...@Daemonati: that would be NFL 2k5. if you can find a copy of it, there is a roster update for it that is as current as Jan 08

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

FelicioLostHorizonPT — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:23:43 MST

NOOOO DONT SELLLLLL i love 2k sports!!! Dont let them monopolize sports gaming! Im so glad PES is konami!

FelicioLostHorizonPT

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live. — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:19:22 MST

@parad0x360: uh...that was Visual Concepts that you're talking about not Sega. Visual Concepts consisted of many if not the entire team of former EA employees that worked on Madden 96 (?, whichever madden didn't ship for the PS in the 90s). I was always of the impression that when EA got wind of Visual Concepts, they refused to support the Dreamcast. Visual Concepts has been a throne in EA's ass ever since. Sega didn't make those games. Sega wasn't responsible for the quality that they built. Visual Concepts should get the credit for that.

EA is the worse for attempting this. I'd rather they show some balls and put out a great football game and a great B-ball game instead of just buying out the competition. Pathetic.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Daemonati — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:18:02 MST

I simply don't understand why people buy the same sports games year in year out. I might by one football title for the lifespan of my console. I wish someone would work towards a buisness model where rosters and additions came as a download instead of needing to buy a whole title each year. But as long as people keep shelling out $60 a year for Madden or whatever it will never happen.

Daemonati

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

smitty1123 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:10:07 MST

@Boolean: Oh come on. Like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are little garage operations...

smitty1123

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Papa Midnight — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:08:35 MST

And once again I'm reminded of the reason why I haven't bought a sports game since Madden NFL 2004 and prior to then Joe Montana Football on the Genesis.

Papa Midnight

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DarkTetsuya — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:08:34 MST

"EA doesn't compete anymore."

I'm sure that's what he meant.

DarkTetsuya

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Fnor — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:08:29 MST

No court would ever, ever define a relevant product market as "sports videogames." Ever. Seriously. People need to not throw the word "monopoly" around so much.

Fnor

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

phalanges — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:06:30 MST

This is why I don't like this deal. NBA-2K series has always been the better NBA sim IMO. With EA taking over, there goes that game. It'll be mediocre crap that is Live.

phalanges

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

FLegion — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:05:31 MST

Could an EA monopoly in sports lead to the rebirth of XSN Sports? Get all the former 2K Sports developers to defect and it could be a great move.

FLegion

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

joelface — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:04:12 MST

i REALLY don't want EA to own take-two.

that would be a truly sad day for gaming.

joelface

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

axia777 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:00:38 MST

DEATH TO EA!!!! AAAGGGHHHHHHAAAA!!!!

axia777

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Doctor88 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:56:26 MST

You don't have to be a genius to see what play book the suits at EA are using. When 2K released a superior (in every way) football game for $19.95, EA shit themselves and made a backroom deal for the exclusive rights to the NFL teams, players, etc., thereby screwing 2K and every gamer on the planet

These guys are immoral f-cks that can't stand competition. That they're going after 2K shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.

Doctor88

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

WaterMedia — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:54:17 MST

Solution: NEVER BUY AN EA GAME AGAIN.

Done and done.

WaterMedia

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

GorbyGipper — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:52:58 MST

-In the beggining 2k football was great.

-EA kills 2k Football.

-All Pro comes out to low review scores but I completely LOVE the 2k feel being back.

-Despite low review scores, another All Pro is said to be in the works. I rejoice.

-EA decides to try to outright buy Take-Two.

Christ, I hate EA sometimes. I guess I should note that while I've rented one Madden game in the last 10 years and played a few at buddies' places, I've never actually bought a Madden game and never will (until the core gameplay changes about 3-4 years after never). Sucks that every time an alternative pops-up, EA decides it's an afront to Madden and that it must be destroyed.

GorbyGipper

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

thefoxtrot — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:50:25 MST

there is no God.

But seriously, screw EA.

thefoxtrot

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Boolean — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:41:39 MST

Few are aware that monolithic corporations are a force for good in this world.

*cough*

Boolean

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

baysideSxoc — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:31:50 MST

I don't play sports games, but i still don't agree with what EA is doing. Competition is good for everybody. Weather its 360 or the PS3 competing or rival games from the same genre it's all good for the consumer. Driving prices down and pushing new concepts forward. If EA keeps going the way it does the industry will stagnate and we'll be stuck with minor improvements to games forever. CoD 28 anyone?

baysideSxoc

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

smitty1123 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:30:12 MST

@Fonzy: Only if I can have a new Basewars...

smitty1123

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

sitsalot — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:30:11 MST

if this happens then EA is back in a big way.

sitsalot

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

carbonelli — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:30:10 MST

oooh now he sounds like really a nice person :)

...

of course.Suddenly owning the potentially most profitable game of this year don't hurt much also right?

carbonelli

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

smitty1123 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:29:32 MST

@Rebochan: If EA were to pay Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo money to be the exclusive sports game dev, that might be covered by antitrust laws. If EA buys Take-Two (willing or hostile), that doesn't prevent any other studio under the sun from developing sports games.

smitty1123

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Fonzy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:28:19 MST

just give me a new Mutant League Football game and I'll be a little happier..

Fonzy

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Fyren — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:28:09 MST

^^^
It isn't illegal, but I am just surprised at the taciturn of EA.

They got /facepalmed by Take-Two and just said "meh, I'll go after your investors /bigcateyes and here, 2 billion cash"

It's gotta be tempting, even if profit is $0.25>X now.

Fyren

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

parad0x360 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:25:11 MST

@Samuraidino: Consider Sega built the brand and made the games all better then anything out of EA for the last few years then Sold them to Take 2 I would imagine EA wants them dead.

I hope it doesnt happen, its bad enough they killed the NFL 2k Series already.

parad0x360

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

nabils6 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:24:33 MST

Why Jon Favreau?

nabils6

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Lou3000 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:23:44 MST

February 22 - Our Metacritic scores are consistently getting worse.
February 25 - We should just buy the competition instead of trying to make a better game.

Lou3000

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Zanch — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:23:41 MST

Isn't it possible that having Take Two's developers on board with EA's sports titles could improve the overall quality of EA's sports games? Sorry to play devil's advocate...

Zanch

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

GameraTheGreat — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:22:14 MST

@Samuraidino
Its called a hostile takeover.....this IS big business now. A few months ago I posted about EA's tactics and how these strong arm techniques will ruin games before soon...of course there were a bunch of posts attempting to be smart, lambasting me for being extremist....I wonder how those guys feel now.....we as gamers will be shafted now that big business has trained its eye on our hobby. I enjoy the new attention (gaming is closer to being truly accepted than ever before), but I prefer the underground status of yester year. Like rap…once corps (exec scumbags - I am kinda one myself just without the scumbag part) see that they can turn a profit in an undiscovered (at least not discovered until the moment of realization) industry, they use cutthroat tactics, throw out innovation, and move full speed ahead to reaping top dollar on bare minimum production costs. As I said before….I hope I am wrong, but history leans toward my being correct. SUX AZZ!!!!

GameraTheGreat

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Rebochan — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:19:00 MST

It's almost like there's nothing like antitrust laws to pprevent this sort of thing from happening...

Rebochan

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Gagamus — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:17:31 MST

Pachter is breathtakingly out of date for being an analyst. EA scooped up NCAA exclusivity so the only sports where EA and 2K compete are basketball and hockey. They will probably compete in MLB when Take Two's 3rd party exclusivity runs out.

And for my "duh" point, yes, monopolies are terrible. EA is trying to become one and it's not going to work out at all. Thankfully.

Gagamus

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

testmunky — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:16:28 MST

@Spartan1308: Actually Pachter specifically said that EA's offer of $26 a share was "more than adequate".

testmunky

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Fyren — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:15:53 MST

Besides Madden/Fight Night through college, the last great sports game was High Heat..., I haven't touched much after HHBB 2002 or so.

Oh woe is thee EA, have you no shame publicly spelling m-o-n-o-p-o-l-y.

Everything under one house...must be nice to have ultra super duper powers and money.

Fyren

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Lachoy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:15:16 MST

@NutManIV: Of course maybe that's why Madden 08 was better than previous years because even though it wasn't big competition, they still had competition.

Don't forget, they only charged $20 for the last and best NFL 2k game when it was brand spanking new so finding this one for that isn't shocking. And it was still better then Madden 08 (gameplay and graphics-wise)

Lachoy

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Sparx — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:11:59 MST

In other words EA wants to create a virtual monopoly on sports games so they can get even lazier and continue to churn out mediocre games every year

Sparx

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

N0Skillz — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:09:31 MST

@neednorespect: Madden was good this year (at least compared to recent years since 2k's last game)

N0Skillz

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

NutManIV — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:08:56 MST

@Laxcat:

Possibly. Remember that Madden 08 is one of the best madden games and they had no competition. Unless you actually count 2k legends which failed miserably and can now be found brand new for about $20.

NutManIV

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

mydogisdexter — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:06:52 MST

I was happy to see EA step up the hockey franchise this year to keep up with 2K. If they eliminate the competition by buy-out, it will suffer once again. No competition = lazy.

nice Favs picture, btw

mydogisdexter

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

CyN1caL — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:06:06 MST

@HurricaneDave:

I don't play sports games, so it's no loss for me.

Doesn't Sega make decent Sports games too though?

CyN1caL

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

aR-Tard — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:05:09 MST

Now introducing, NBA LIVE: 2K9, the same shitty basketball game from EA, with all its shooting behind the backboard goodness, with a different title on it.

DON'T DO IT TAKE2, LEAVE THE 2K SERIES ALONE!

*hehe*

aR-Tard

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

A Pimp Named DaveR — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:05:09 MST

As a Take-Two shareholder, I think the lack of 2K Sports should be worth, oh, let's say, $36 a share to EA? Please?

A Pimp Named DaveR

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

PhaserBait — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:04:41 MST

I've never bought a sports title at full price. New, yes, but only after the price dropped to at least half of the initial release.

More to the point, this price does seem low. If it's such a great deal for EA, T2 should definitely be holding out. But I guess you don;t have much room for negotiation when you are about to go under.

Still, if it is such a great deal, shouldn't someone else with deep pockets be looking to snap them up? If only to strip out the sports portion to re-sell to EA with some more serious negotiation.

A competetive situation would definitely make the price more equitable. Or maybe T2 could just sell off the sports part themselves and stay afloat as the GTA company? Or are they too far gone for that?

PhaserBait

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

TheHun — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:03:36 MST

@Mr.Waffleton: EA is only one of the big players, it is in no position to create a monopoly. Boycotting doesn't work anyways give it up.

TheHun

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Laxcat — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:01:35 MST

Yeah, they wouldn't compete on quality anymore either, which I'm sure EA would be really happy about.

Laxcat

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

FilmmakingFiasco — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:00:54 MST

@GettinMyGooseOn

EA doesn't have an MLB game....only Take 2 does.

And I was just thinking, wouldn't it be nice to have an "Ask Madden" feature added into GTA?

FilmmakingFiasco

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

NutManIV — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:00:32 MST

@GettinMyGooseOn:

No they do not have a monopoly on anything. Look up the definition of that word. A lot of people here do not know the definition apparently.

EA doesnt even have an MLB game right now I thought? because take two has the exclusive MLB license. Of course the exclusive MLB license is only for 3rd party developers. So Microsoft, sony, and nintendo can all make mlb games.

NutManIV

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

jayntampa — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:59:08 MST

With that info, anti-trust regulation could prevent the purchase, I would think.

jayntampa

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

The Vampire Raziel — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:58:50 MST

i can say only one thing. DUH

The Vampire Raziel

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

jerimas — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:58:15 MST

EA. What a bunch of cocksuckers.

jerimas

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

GettinMyGooseOn — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:57:11 MST

Oh c'mon people...EA already HAS a monopoly...they already dominate MLB and NFL/College FB...they just signed a deal to dominate College Hoops...they're just formalizing what's already been happening: they are taking advantage of professional sports' anti-trust exemptions and simply extending them into the video game world for them at a tidy profit for serving as the pro-sports world's video game pointman.

GettinMyGooseOn

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Mr.Waffleton — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:56:52 MST

In all seriousness, gamers and especially the gaming press need to stand up and say somethin even if it doesn't do any good. EA is gonig to single-handedly destroy the industry. Even if it isn't illegal technically, EA wants a monopoly. Funny because Richotiello says "competition is great".

I will nEVER purchase an EA product new again, ever. I haven't done so in over a year. Everyone else needs to follow suit.

Mr.Waffleton

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

und1sturbed — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:56:26 MST

I don't play alot of sports games. Yet any Wiitard can tell you that, "Competition spawns innovation." I bet if you were to ask any person who acctualy makes a Madden game at EA, if they would like some other company competing for there dollars? they would say "yes". It is like running a race. You are gonna run faster and try harder if there are other people in the it.

und1sturbed

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Foxstar Sixtail — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:56:07 MST

@Gadgetron: ITT-People don't understand how the SEC works.

Foxstar Sixtail

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Ehardergardens — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:55:58 MST

@CyN1caL: I'm actually pretty stoked to see if Starbreeze does SS3.. only because Bioshock seemed very much like system shock two already... I actually trust them to do this even if they don't have any input from Levine or the people who worked on 1 and 2, as starbreeze has miraculously made me buy and enjoy 2 games based on franchises I don't even like or care about.
I wouldn't be heart broken if Levine did SS3 bu i'd rather see Bioshock branch off on it's own and get Bioshock 2 and SS3...

Ehardergardens

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Foxstar Sixtail — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:55:42 MST

@Doomstalk: You honestly think the SEC cares? They don't as this does not have the effect on people as Ma Bell or any of the other 'REAL' monopolys had. It doesn't even have the effect on people that Microsoft has.

Foxstar Sixtail

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Gadgetron — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:54:49 MST

@Doomstalk: if the SEC has not stopped them by now, then will not stop this.

Gadgetron

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

FilmmakingFiasco — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:53:29 MST

God, if I have to get my hockey fix from EA, I'm gonna stab someone...with an ice skate.

FilmmakingFiasco

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Doomstalk — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:52:59 MST

I wonder if the SEC would even let this happen. I'm not sure if they consider a monopoly in a market niche to be enough to qualify as sufficient to be considered a trust.

Doomstalk

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Walker — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:50:00 MST

First thing i thought of the other day when i read about this. I mean, taking out the competition on sports game has to be worth a lot more than GTA4.

Walker

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DaPress — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:49:38 MST

I only own one sports game for my 360 - Madden 07, which, I'm ashamed to say, I paid $29.99 for at Blockbuster, used. Even before this merger, I planned to never buy another sports game again.

That said, I hope EA doesn't fuck with GTA and everything else that's non-sports and good about Take Two.

DaPress

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

mva5580 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:48:01 MST

I look at it this way. IF this ends up happening (which it probably will,) I could live with EA taking over 2K sports if they actually choose to UTILIZE the positives that series brings to the table. The announcing in the 2K sports games is fantastic, as is the presentation, and the overall gameplay is usually very good. Especially with the NBA/NCAA games.

If EA Sports took over those things and chose to actually integrate them into the EA Sports games, then it's a good thing and I actually wouldn't have a problem with it. But if they just essentially dissolve 2K Sports and do nothing with all of that tech/knowledge that they gain from it, then that is just flat out wrong, evil, and pathetic in many ways. And I would have a hard time buying a sports game new ever again. I'd just buy on Ebay/used so EA Sports wouldn't see a penny of it.

We'll see what happens.....

mva5580

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Foxstar Sixtail — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:47:07 MST

@DashTheHand: No, the fact that Take Two is a sinking ship without GTA is going to spell the death of the franchise. Hell even GTA can't save them, the fiscal issues for them are huge, why do you think MS paid em 50 million for DNC?

This whole shitstorm just proves to me that so many people wailing about this are clueless.

Foxstar Sixtail

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Gadgetron — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:46:52 MST

man EA just sucks.

Gadgetron

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Sonic_and_Tails — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:46:25 MST

Like I have said the past few days, the sports division excluded, EA has done a good job in stepping in the right direction. I guess Moore fits right in that division...

Sonic_and_Tails

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Spartan1308™ — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:46:14 MST

So Pachter agrees w/Zelnick that the price is too low.

Spartan1308™

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DashTheHand — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:43:31 MST

I have nor will I ever buy any sports game for any console. That being said, this is going to spell the death of the GTA franchise with EA execs wanting to water things down, change them, and probably put Madden in the game.

DashTheHand

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

MasterOfPastures — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:43:22 MST

@HurricaneDave: Woa woa woa... culturally (if done rite), SS3 will prove to be a far more important achievement. You can play sports by your own. But I cant shoot mutated cyborgs... not yet, at least.
But I guess competition must exist!

MasterOfPastures

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Mr. Karate — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:43:04 MST

@Lixie: On the contrary Sony makes sports games as well. Then again, who would buy a sports title from Sony?

Mr. Karate

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Snuffbox — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:42:19 MST

It's things like these that justify my decision to stop playing console sports games. I'm having a damn good time with my RPGs and FPSs.

Snuffbox

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Akanubon — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:40:14 MST

It's stories like these that make me oh so glad I hate sports games. Enjoy your monopolies.

Akanubon

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

NYLatenite — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:40:02 MST

It's not just adding the money the 2K franchises would make to EA's coffers - it's also essentially not having to pay for exclusive licenses anymore unless a new serious competitor shows up.

After all, why negotiate with the NBA and NHL for an exclusive license when you're going to be the only game in town anyway?

NYLatenite

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

badasscat — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:39:58 MST

@chucklebuck: Not to mention its gameplay that's actually more realistic than any of the "realistic" baseball games on the market.

badasscat

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

WickedOrange — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:39:11 MST

Bad bad bad.... we will have to pay more money for games that are regular and lack depth, innovation or gameplay...

WickedOrange

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

DaiMacculate — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:38:22 MST

I don't understand how I missed the fact that this was really about the 2K sports assets when all these posts came up about the takeover bid yesterday, it seems so blindlingly obvious in retrospect.

I was like "so what" when I thought it was about GTA, but EA better keep their mitts off of NBA2K, they've ruined Live and its all us poor video basketball fans have left...

*sobs quietly*

DaiMacculate

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

HurricaneDave — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:37:50 MST

@CyN1caL: I'd rather have sport game alternatives to EA's crap than a System Shock sequel.

HurricaneDave

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

GameJerk — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:37:29 MST

System Shock 3 is not worth it.

GameJerk

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Mr. Karate — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:37:11 MST

There's people out there could care less about sports titles, but they're a popular and profitable genre. 2K Sports has been dominant in this department lately (Madden & NBA Live blew this year), so its not surprising EA is on edge with their competition.

In short, if EA had acquired Take Two and their 2K Sports branch, pretty much video game sports fans would have to be force-fed the same old shit that EA shovels out each year for twice the price.

Mr. Karate

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

smitty1123 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:37:10 MST

Meh. If they do buy out their competition, others will just replace them. I'm sure Ubi or Activision would be perfectly happy to dig into the sports game pie.

smitty1123

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Gray665 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:36:49 MST

Of course they want the sports. Its their only competition. Come on EA, how about you beat them the old fashioned way and, I dunno, try to innovate once in a while. I guess they couldn't get an exclusive NBA or NHL contract like they have for pretty much every other sport and figured might as well just buy the competition instead. Man I hate EA.

Gray665

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

JustJake — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:36:38 MST

My favorite sports games came from Take 2. NBA 2K6 is one of my favorite games of all time.

JustJake

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

GameJerk — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:36:18 MST

Fuck you EA. Leave my NBA 2K alone!

GameJerk

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

aaa — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:35:54 MST

Someone call the SEC!

aaa

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Nintenboy01 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:35:23 MST

Right now EA executives are twirling their moustaches saying "cackledeedee".

Nintenboy01

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

chucklebuck — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:33:55 MST

Well, there's always MLB Power Pros and it's disproportionately large-headed cuteness.

chucklebuck

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Lixie — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:33:36 MST

This is exactly what I thought yesterday. 2K sports is EA Sports only competitor. If they buy them out the only sports franchises left to compete against would be Winning Eleven.

Lixie

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

TheHun — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:33:12 MST

and this isn't the illegal kind of monopoly either, smart!

TheHun

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

wisconsinista — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:32:57 MST

Well maybe the football games will get more than 15 generic comments for after each play...maybe.

wisconsinista

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

CyN1caL — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:32:26 MST

I look at it this way:

Take Two owns 2K.

Ken Levine works at 2K Boston.

EA owns the rights to System Shock.

If this happens, Ken Levine can make System Shock 3!

This is, of course, a perfect world scenario.

CyN1caL

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

EDGE — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:32:12 MST

It's hard for the little guys to play in the "sports arena" so to speak. Companies like EA have money they can throw around to pick up the key licenses, leaving the small players to fight for table scraps. I can't even think of the number of sports brands in gaming that have gone bye, bye or been killed off by the competition.

EDGE

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:31:31 MST

EA is building a hotel on Park Place right about now.

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

MasterOfPastures — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:31:26 MST

Well no shit. And gravity works downwards!

MasterOfPastures

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

JoeyTheHobo — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:31:21 MST

Someone get Milton Bradley on the horn...

JoeyTheHobo

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

gils0n — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:31:12 MST

Suddenly, Pachter is making a whooooole lotta sense...

gils0n

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

Tom Clancy's Samuraidino — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:30:52 MST

Id agree with pachter on this one.GTA would be a nice little bonus for EA but getting rid of your rival sports games in one fell swoop...thats huge.

Tom Clancy's Samuraidino

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

djgil — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:30:52 MST

Zoiks...!

I really don't see this happening. I honestly don't WANT the buyout to happen, but I don't see where EA will be able to take away something a company has worked so hard for over the last 5 years.

djgil

Pachter: EA Wants Take-Two For Sports, GTAIV Is "Gravy"

neednorespect — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:29:41 MST

I hate EA Madden may never be good again

neednorespect