Ubisoft Countering EA's 'Hostile' Act

[Segaman]

The French government and Ubisoft's founders are reportedly positioned to keep the company out of EA's hands...

Two weeks ago, on the 20th of December, Electronic Arts acquired a 19.9 % stake in rival publisher Ubisoft. France based Ubisoft has not taken this news laying down, characterizing the move as "hostile" and expressing disappointment in EA's lack of communication before this purchase. The most recent twist in this story, as reported by La Tribune, is that the French government may intervene to prevent Electronic Arts from taking over Ubisoft. Ubisoft is already considering increasing the holding of the Guillemot family, which founded the company in 1986, whom already have 17.5 % of shares and 26.6 % of voting rights.

The end of the year was a busy time for Electronic Arts' acquisitions department. Along with the purchase of 19.9 % of rival Ubisoft's stocks, the company has also secured an exclusive deal with the NFL, guaranteeing the rights to use the likenesses and names of NFL players, teams and stadiums for EA and EA alone. EA is reportedly close to purchasing Digital Illusions CE (developers of the successful Battlefield series), and they are also reportedly attempting to secure an exclusive license for both the NBA and MLB as well.

[Adam Anarchist]

what complete crap.

NFL, NCAA, NBA, MLB, prob NHL and then FIFpro (license for soccer players names), they are sure hell bent on destroying the competition. ESPN football will go, won't be too long before PES is anniliated.

i guess this is the beginning of sports games that are purely totally graphics orientated and super cheat.

if bill gates aint allowed a monopoly, then nor should EA.

but EA, like mcdonalds, and unlike microsoft, are bumchums of bush and co and can get away with anything.

[Segaman]

Heh this whole EA thing is interesting...

Infogrames could help Ubisoft fight EA takeover - Bonnell

The head of Europe's largest publisher Infogrames, Bruno Bonnell, has said that his firm could be ready to help French rival Ubisoft to fight any takeover bid by industry leader Electronic Arts.

Speaking to news agency Reuters, Bonnell expressed his hope that Ubisoft will remain independent - and rubbished EA's claim that its recent purchase of almost 20 per cent of the firm's stock was merely an investment.

"Electronic Arts certainly did not enter Ubi Soft's capital to just stay at that level," commented the Infogrames CEO, who is also creative director of the company's Atari subsidiary. "I hope Ubi Soft will find ways to defend itself so that Infogrames does not become the last bastion in the European video games industry."

"It would be a pity to see great European creations end up in a relatively hegemonic U.S. conglomerate," he continued.

Bonnell said that Infogrames could be ready to assist Ubisoft in fighting off any hostile takeover attempt by Electronic Arts, but he did not go into any detail about what the company might be able to do - saying only that "when Ubi Soft has defined the limits within which it is prepared to work, they know we are ready to listen."

His pledge comes after newspaper reports suggested that the French government is also watching the situation carefully, and may step in to help Ubisoft if a hostile takeover bid materialises.

From: www.gamesindustry.biz/news.php?aid=6117