Take-Two Interactive announces they've added Codemasters to their shopping
cart, and are contemplating hitting the checkout button. As of now they have
until December 4th to commit to the acquisition of Codemasters, a
publisher/developer known for its racing game expertise. Here are some details
on the possible deal:
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO)
today confirmed an announcement made by the Board of Codemasters that the
Company has made a proposal to acquire the entire issued share capital of
UK-based game publisher and developer, Codemasters, at a price of 485 pence
(*approximately $6.40) per share (the "Possible Offer"), comprising 120 pence
(*approximately $1.58) per share in cash and 365 pence (*approximately $4.82)
per share payable in Take-Two stock. The Possible Offer remains conditional on,
among other things, the completion of confirmatory due diligence and the
recommendation of the Board of Codemasters. Take-Two reserves the right to waive
any of these requirements.
The Board of Codemasters confirmed that on October 14, 2020 to Take-Two and has
confirmed today that, in the event that Take-Two announces a firm intention to
make an offer pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers
(the “Code”) on the terms set out above, it is the current intention of the
Board of Codemasters to recommend unanimously that Codemasters' shareholders
accept the Possible Offer.
Take-Two believes that the combination of Take-Two and Codemasters would bring
together two world-class interactive entertainment portfolios, with a highly
complementary fit between Take-Two's 2K publishing label and Codemasters in the
racing genre. In addition, Take-Two believes that it can bring benefits to
Codemasters' performance by leveraging Take-Two's global distribution network
and 2K’s core operating expertise in publishing, including live operations,
analytics, product development, and brand and performance marketing.
In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, Take-Two is required, by not later
than 12:00 p.m. ET on December 4, 2020, either to announce a firm intention to
make an offer for Codemasters in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or
announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the
announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code
applies. This deadline can be extended with the consent of the Panel in
accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.
There can be no certainty that any offer will be made.