Because Activision is eying publisher Take-Two. Last week Bobby and pals took an axe-guitar to the Guitar Hero and DJ Hero IPs. This has left the industry’s biggest publisher with a gaping hole where an over-milked franchise used to be. The solution? Fill that hole with another franchise, like Grand Theft Auto.
With Take-Two comes 2K Games, which is a subsidiary company of the former. Were Activision to purchase Take-Two, it would unite brands like Call of Duty, World or Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, GTA, Red Dead Redemption and BioShock all under one roof. That is a scary thought, and according to an industry insider who spoke to MCV, it’s a “strong rumour†that’s doing the rounds.
According to the insider:
“There are very strong rumours amongst people at a very senior level within the global business. 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.”
MCV also points out that while Rockstar and the GTA franchise is entirely owned by Take-Two, that contract will expire in 2012. For now, file this under “R†for rumour, but remember that there’s no smoke without a fire.
Last Updated: February 14, 2011