Take Two Acquires Illusion Softworks

This -press release announces Take Two Interactive has acquired developer Illusion Softworks, who are currently at work on a sequel to Mafia, their organized crime game. Word is they are renaming the studio 2K Czech:
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today announced the acquisition of Illusion Softworks, a premier Central European-based game development studio with operations in Brno and Prague, the Czech Republic. Illusion Softworks has approximately 200 employees and will join Take-Two's 2K Games publishing label as its newest studio, 2K Czech.

Established in 1997, Illusion Softworks is the creator and owner of several hit video game franchises, including Mafia, Hidden & Dangerous and Vietcong. The studio is currently working with 2K Games on Mafia II, the sequel to the original Mafia, which helped establish the gangster genre and sold more than two million units.

"The acquisition of Illusion Softworks reflects our strategic focus on owning high-value intellectual property as we continue to expand our portfolio of triple-A titles," said Ben Feder, Chief Executive Officer of Take-Two.

Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K, said, "Adding 2K Czech to our network of development studios demonstrates our strong commitment to creating great franchises and building world-class creative teams. The 2K Czech team is responsible for several very innovative and highly-regarded franchises and we look forward to continuing to develop new and existing IP together."

"We have an excellent working relationship with 2K Games and the utmost respect for them," said Petr Vochozka, CEO of 2K Czech. "We are pleased to become a 2K studio and are confident that this new partnership will strengthen our current and future projects."
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Re: No subject
Jan 8, 2008, 19:13
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Re: No subject Jan 8, 2008, 19:13
Jan 8, 2008, 19:13
 
H&D3 would rock, esp if they finally get what made H&D1 so damn fun- Four player co-op of the game's storyline over a LAN.
The expansion pack for H&D2 (Sabre Squadron) supports co-op play, and I believe it can be done over a LAN. It would be nice for the sequel to support co-op out of the box though, instead of having to wait for an expansion.

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Re: No subject
Jan 8, 2008, 18:57
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Re: No subject Jan 8, 2008, 18:57
Jan 8, 2008, 18:57
 
The same company owning both the GTA series and Mafia (soon to be series) feels a little weird.

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Re: No subject
Jan 8, 2008, 18:50
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Re: No subject Jan 8, 2008, 18:50
Jan 8, 2008, 18:50
 
H&D games are awesome.

Avatar 13955
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No subject
Jan 8, 2008, 18:43
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No subject Jan 8, 2008, 18:43
Jan 8, 2008, 18:43
 
H&D3 would rock, esp if they finally get what made H&D1 so damn fun- Four player co-op of the game's storyline over a LAN.


This comment was edited on Jan 8, 18:45.
"I like to play female characters in MMORPGs to trick men into homosexual chat." - space captain, June 18th, 2009.
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Re: Trend
Jan 8, 2008, 17:11
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Re: Trend Jan 8, 2008, 17:11
Jan 8, 2008, 17:11
 
#vote for H&D 3!

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Re: Trend
Jan 8, 2008, 13:50
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Re: Trend Jan 8, 2008, 13:50
Jan 8, 2008, 13:50
 
You mean besides the patch for Bioshock taking 4 months?
Irrational has never been known for churning out patches, although I think this is probably the longest they've ever taken. Also, I don't think we know enough about the situation to say with certainty what caused it to take so long. I know it's popular to blame the publisher for everything, but they don't necessarily deserve 100% of the blame this time.

It's been a handful of months since the announcement. Usually takes a couple of years before rumblings start about layoffs and closures.
Yes, but Irrational has made 2K a tidy profit with Bioshock. 2K hasn't shown itself to be like EA in terms of meddling with successful studios.

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No subject
Jan 8, 2008, 13:14
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No subject Jan 8, 2008, 13:14
Jan 8, 2008, 13:14
 
Dear mister 2K Cz, I want Vietcong Online for Christmas 2008.

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Re: Trend
Jan 8, 2008, 12:08
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Re: Trend Jan 8, 2008, 12:08
Jan 8, 2008, 12:08
 
Being acquired by 2K doesn't seem to have negatively affected Irrational Games

You mean besides the patch for Bioshock taking 4 months?

It's been a handful of months since the announcement. Usually takes a couple of years before rumblings start about layoffs and closures.

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Trend
Jan 8, 2008, 11:37
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Trend Jan 8, 2008, 11:37
Jan 8, 2008, 11:37
 
Being acquired by 2K doesn't seem to have negatively affected Irrational Games, so as long as this doesn't impair the development of Mafia 2, I'm not upset by this. I just hope they make a new Hidden and Dangerous game at some point.

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