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View Full Version : Elevation Considering Take-Two Buyout?


fitbabits
02-06-2006, 10:11 AM
Looks like earlier rumors of a Take-Two buyout may have a tiny bit of truth to them. Thanks to Next Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz) for the news (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2200&Itemid=2).

Elevation Partners, a private-equity firm co-founded by former EA COO John Riccitiello, is rumored to be toying with the idea of a Take-Two buyout, according to the New York Post.

According to the article, Elevation has partnered up with venture capital investor Pequot Capital, which incidentally owns "a large chunk" of Take-Two shares.

Citigroup's Elizabeth Osur recently said while Take-Two wasn't necessarily a good buy for a public suitor, "a private buyer could find the assets appealing."

In November of last year, Riccitiello's Elevation merged star-developers Bioware and Pandemic in a deal estimated at $300 million. The firm also attempted to buy Eidos last year for $180 million, but failed to do so. According to the Post, a Take-Two buyout could be valued at $1 billion, including debt.
Now this would be an interesting aquisition for Elevation.

Magnanimous Gnome
02-06-2006, 12:00 PM
Elevation = EA 2.0?

fitbabits
02-06-2006, 12:01 PM
Elevation = EA 2.0?
Not with Bono on the board, surely?

inmostlight
02-06-2006, 04:00 PM
Elevation = EA 2.0?

I don't know, I thought that Bioware and Pandemic have both more freedom and more stake than the various development houses EA buys up. Maybe something more like another attempt at Gathering of Developers?

bjornbarspingvinen
02-07-2006, 12:03 AM
Aslong as they chersih rockstar and 2ksports IŽll be happy.

Stormwatcher
02-07-2006, 03:56 AM
Well, with Bono in it, probably they're gonna make veggie games with recycled african linen and use the revenue to help poor kids around the world.... Sounds goo to me :)