Take-Two Swings for the Fences

Take-Two Interactive Software Awarded Long-Term, Third-Party Exclusives with Major League Baseball Properties, Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball Advanced Media to Publish Interactive MLB Video Games follows-up on the news of Take-Two Interactive's exclusive deal with the Major League Baseball Players Association (story), with the announcement of other deals that will help sew up Major League Baseball exclusivity. Meanwhile, Take-Two bulks up on baseball; adds MLBP, MLBAM to partner lineup on GameSpot is a Q&A with Take-Two president Paul Eibeler on the topic. Here's the deal on the new deals:
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2005-- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO - News) announced today long-term, third-party exclusive licensing relationships with Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) which provide Take-Two with sweeping video game rights. Under these exclusives, Take-Two will develop, publish and distribute a broad portfolio of interactive, officially licensed video games that are expected to drive the MLB video game business to new heights.

Additionally, Take-Two announced that Derek Jeter, New York Yankees All-Star shortstop and 2004 Gold Glove recipient, has agreed to a multi-year contract to be spokesperson and cover athlete for the licensed 2K Sports baseball simulation series. "I'm excited to be partnering with an industry leader like Take-Two and I look forward to working together to take the video game experience to the next level for baseball fans," said Derek Jeter.

Take-Two's exclusive, long-term deals, which begin in Spring 2006, enable Take-Two to publish officially licensed Major League Baseball video games on console, PC and handheld platforms. The exclusives include rights to the marks of all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs, MLB players, Major League ballparks and Minor League Baseball Clubs, as well as MLB.com online content, for use in Take-Two's baseball games. Take-Two plans to offer multiple titles based on traditional baseball simulation, arcade and manager-style games, including innovative and specially-timed releases throughout the baseball and holiday seasons. Take-Two's Visual Concepts and Kush Games development studios are creating the baseball titles under Take-Two's recently established 2K Sports publishing label.
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Re: The Evil Empire
Jan 31, 2005, 12:45
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Re: The Evil Empire Jan 31, 2005, 12:45
Jan 31, 2005, 12:45
 
Because, like the Yankees thinking they can win with their wallets, they'll find out that they're not going to be the big winners this year, either. My prediction? Sony has the best selling baseball game on any platform.

Take-Two plans to offer multiple titles based on traditional baseball simulation, arcade and manager-style games, including innovative and specially-timed releases throughout the baseball and holiday seasons.

Hooray! It's FIFA circa 1996. Does "What do you mean I have to buy a seperate game to play the World Cup?" sound familiar? I hope they don't seriously think they'll be able to sell an "All Star Weekend Baseball" and "Hot Stove Manager Baseball" in addition to a MLB title - the baseball video game market is not that big.

Then again, it's Take Two. They'll probably end up with a monthly subscription plan.


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