Technology, Culture, Commentary on the Internet Revolution

Will Microsoft Bid for Take-Two?

by Mike Abundo on May 7th, 2008

I just had a crazy thought.

Microsoft now has $47.5 billion it couldn’t use to buy Yahoo. Electronic Arts bid only $2 billion for Take-Two Interactive.

Microsoft paid Take-Two $50 million — half the game’s development budget — for Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable content in Grand Theft Auto IV. GTA4 is a smash hit that will probably sell more Xbox 360s.

Microsoft bought Bungie Studios to lock a huge game franchise (Halo) into the Xbox series. Take-Two just extended a huge game franchise onto the Xbox 360 with Microsoft’s assistance, and said it would entertain suitors after the release of GTA4.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has always been frustrated and unfocused, but now he’s got $47.5 billion burning a hole in his pocket. Take-Two is making the kind of headlines that would grab Steve-O’s attention right when he’s most emotionally vulnerable.

Take-Two suddenly looks insanely sexy and ready to go. Microsoft’s suddenly got blue balls and ready cash. Microsoft just got a $50 million lap dance from Take-Two. Now sexual tension fills the air. Will Microsoft come forward with a surprise bid for Take-Two Interactive?

(Ballmer via Josh Jones, Hot Coffee via Alexander Knorr.)

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POSTED IN: Gaming, Microsoft