Analysis: Take-Two Misses A Free Pass In Light Of NBA Lockout

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Chris Morris

[In light of an NBA lockout, Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris calls Take-Two’s optimistic outlook for NBA 2K12 “baffling,” arguing that the publisher missed a “free pass to lower expectations in a way investors would understand.”]

There was plenty of bad news in Take-Two’s earnings call Monday.

The company missed expectations – and managed to do so on a day where investors were already in panic mode. Duke Nukem Forever, the company said, was profitable, but the overwhelmingly negative reviews put a ceiling on that title’s earnings potential. And because of that stumble from the flat-topped king of the one liner, the company was forced to cut its forecast.

But the bad news was almost overshadowed by Take-Two’s baffling decision to maintain a downright optimistic outlook for this year’s NBA 2Ktitle, despite the dark clouds hovering over the real-world NBA.

Analysis: Does A Take-Two Takeover Make Sense?

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Chris Morris

[Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris discusses whether Take-Two Interactive would benefit from an acquisition at the moment, noting that anyone looking to buy will most likely “have to pony up a boatload of cash.”]

Here we go again.

With earnings becoming more dependable, another GTA game lurking in the shadows and key talent locked in for the next few years, it was only natural that talk of a Take-Two acquisition would resume. But today’s Take-Two isn’t the same company it was when EA came knocking on the door. And the takeover that once seemed a foregone conclusion in the gaming world is now a lot less certain.

L.A. Noire to be featured at Tribeca Film Fest

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Chris Morris

Rockstar Games has been edging towards a Hollywood model for quite some time now, but the film community is finally taking notice.

The Tribeca Film Festival will present a one-hour gameplay session of “L.A. Noire” at this year’s event, followed by a question and answer session. Scheduled to take place April 25, this is the first time the festival has recognized a video game.

Time For a Second Look at Take-Two?

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Chris Morris

Take-Two didn’t just surpass analyst’s expectations for its fiscal fourth quarter yesterday; it crushed them. And in the process, it did something observers and investors have been hoping it could pull off for a decade: It turned an annual profit in a year with no new “Grand Theft Auto” in its catalog.

t’s a monumental achievement for a company that has been accused for years of being a one-trick pony. And it has investors wondering if the time has come to reconsider investing in Take-Two.

‘CIV’ studio lays off 20

Posted on July 9, 2010 by Chris Morris

Firaxis Studios, the home of video game legend Sid Meier and the developer of the forthcoming title “Civilization V,” is the latest game maker to face significant staff cuts.

The studio on Wednesday laid off 20 developers as part of what parent company Take Two Interactive Software calls a “realignment of development resources at the studio.”

How big is Red Dead Redemption?

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Chris Morris

The jokes were pretty easy when “Red Dead Redemption” was announced… “Grand Theft Horse” cynics called it. “Yet Another Doomed Western” was another popular phrase.

Today, we can wipe those snarky asides away and call it something else: A bonafied hit. Take Two Interactive Software reports that it has shipped 5 million copies of the game so far – and it’s so bullish on the title that it’s raising its fiscal forecast for the year.

Chris Morris: Journalist

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