The gaming community was recently rocked with now-debunked rumours that Sony was in the final stages of acquiring Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games and 2K.
People immediately flew into a panic, as such a move could potentially make some serious waves when it comes to PlayStation exclusive titles. If any future Red Dead or GTA game was a Sony exclusive, there’d definitely be a lot of furore for Xbox players.
This would be insane if future GTA and Red Dead Redemption would be PS exclusive https://t.co/9fkRoCFCaV
— Jay (@TrueGamer1111) March 13, 2019
However, as quickly as the rumours sprang up, they were disputed…so, what happened?
Well, the ‘news’ first came via a MarketWatch report, which said: “Take-Two Interactive Software stock climbed 4.7% on rumors that Sony Corp. ‘is in advanced board level discussions to acquire Take-Two Interactive in a mostly cash deal,’ that would value the company at $130 share, according to Joel Kulina, head of technology and media trading at Wedbush Securities.”
GamesIndustry reached out to Kulina about the rumour, and revealed he was “confused at the sudden attention,” and branded the information as “purely unconfirmed market speculation that is making the rounds.”
Kulina also dismissed his involvement in the information, stating: “I am not the source of this story in any regard. And not sure who quoted me as I didn’t speak with anyone over the phone (unless someone saw a trading note that I wrote).”
Sue Chang and Chris Matthews, who wrote the MarketWatch piece, also went on to confirm to GamesIndustry that “Kulina’s note was the only place they had heard that rumor.”
2019 is a wild year for rumors pic.twitter.com/xLdEosEhHi
— Nibel (@Nibellion) March 13, 2019
Us galaxy brains knew from the very beginning that Sony couldn’t even afford Take Two because of Death Stranding’s production costs https://t.co/nSW1SVWo6V
— Nibel (@Nibellion) March 13, 2019
So, Xbox players can officially breathe a sigh of relief. For now. Although this rumour turned out to be false, it doesn’t mean such a takeover couldn’t happen in the future…
Featured Image Credit: Sony