A wild, but not impossible rumor suggests that publishing giant and "Call of Duty" publisher Activision may have its eyes set on a hostile takeover of "Grand Theft Auto" publisher Take-Two Interactive.
If the rumor proves true and the bid is successful, Activision would effectively become the largest studio in the game industry, dwarfing Electronic Arts with the acquisition of "Grand Theft Auto", "Bioshock", "Duke Nukem" and a multitude of other titles as additions to its own "Warcraft", "Call of Duty" and "Diablo" franchises.
Activision proved that it isn't afraid to make tough decisions by axing the entire "Guitar Hero" franchise and adding Rockstar Games and Irrational to its roster would only bolster its already strong lineup that was recently given an infusion of talent from former Visceral Studios employees and "Halo" developers Bungie Studios.
Activision should expect to see strong resistance from Take-Two should they make a bid for the publishing company. In 2008, rival publishing company Electronic Arts made a $2bn hostile takeover bid for the company which was then branded "inadequate" by Take-Two's then executive chairman Strauss Zelnick.
In the time since then, the company has seen an increased stake of billionaire Carl Icahn, who according to rumors, has been preparing the company for acquisition. If the rumors prove true, the time for Take-Two to be taken over may well be at hand.
Further details of the possible takeover can be found at MCVUK.
