We knew that talks were taking place between Codemasters and Take-Two, but now it looks like the acquisition will be going through. According to a VGC report, the DIRT 5 developer has reached an agreement with the 2K Games parent, and will be acquired early next year in a deal valued at around £750 million ($980 million).
Both companies have indicated to investors their intent, and the buyout will be completed pending the approval of shareholders in an upcoming general meeting. Once finalised, Codemasters will operate within the 2K label under its existing leadership. In a statement, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick said that Codemasters’ racing games will fit well with its own roster of sports games.
That means you should probably expect F1 2K22 and WRC 2K22 next year, although we imagine franchises like DIRT will survive the transition unchanged. 2K Sports has been improving its overall portfolio gradually, with PGA Tour 2K21 launching this year and the publisher revealing plans for a new arcade-themed NFL title in the near future.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 25
It’s just plain sad. Another UK company joins the ranks of being owned by a foreign multinational. So much for our thriving games industry.
You see what i wouldn't mind is if codemasters worked on car driving physics in gta 6
Wow almost $1B for a developer with not much meaningful IPs. Guess take two really wants to add a racing sim to its library of games.
Well that’s horrible.
@Jayslow Companies aren’t just IPs. These are some of the most talented veteran devs in the business.
@Jayslow They have the F1 and WRC licenses, though!
Welp F1's about to be monetized to hell and back
Love Codies games but I don't see this as good news at all. All these acquisitions in a couple years it's going to be like 4 or 5 companies that literally own everything much like Disney, Google, Apple etc.
@nessisonett yeah obviously they aren't. But insomniac sold for peanuts compared to this. That's mainly because Sony already owns the ratchet and clank, spiderman, and resistance IPs. Obviously you are also purchasing the foundation of an already successful studio that can churn out annualized racing games to add to take two's sports portfolio.
Hope they don’t mess the WRC UP as since WRC 8 & 9 the games have been very good and such an improvement!
@get2sammyb F1 2K22 just rolls off the tongue😀
My prediction take 2 will shut down slightly mad studios and project cars franchise
@redd214 Yup, very much so. I've been very negative about recent big acquisitions like Bethesda by Microsoft, and have been called a fanboy because of it ten times over. However I really don't care which company buys what, I'm no investor. I care about the fact that this is happening at all...
Welp get ready for 2ks version of ultimate team in F1. Spend money for 0.001% chance of unlocking Micheal Schumacher.
Hopefully they don't interfere with the actual driving as Codemasters are just fine the way they are in that department
At least it's not M$ buying them...
This hurts the industry i dont like it that companies buy up everything we need thirdparties it no good if Sony, MS, Nintendo, 2K, EA or whatever company buy up everything. Look i know Sony buys up some companies but its not like they are companies they buy out of the blue. They are companies where they work with years or even generations.
@nessisonett Its a pity that big money buys up everything we need thirdparties too keep a diverse landscape for all platforms.
Expect loot boxes and MTs in every game now the TT CEO has stated that he would like to have that in every game, can't believe the UK government would allow it but then again it's the Tories they would rather watch everything go in the UK since they are likly to get a few million from the deal
Gaming is going to be crap when it's just Sony, Microsoft, UbiSoft, Activision, EA, Epic, Tencent, Take Two, THQ Nordic and a few more
Thank god I has the best era of gaming from the late 80s to PS3 because it sucks now
@jess3a3 Slightly Mad and Project Cars are under Bandai Namco, so they're safe.
New tires, two bucks
New paint job, two bucks
New exhaust, two bucks
Take-Two bucks
@Orpheus79V codemasters owns sms. Bandai is distributor
@jess3a3 oh I missed that news. Damn.
I remember the days of Micro Machines Turbo Tournament on the Sega MD where you could build your own track. Totally unplayable now, really, but DiRT 5 is probably the next game I'm gonna get so I'll hurry and do it before the big guys take over.
Can't wait for all the ***** micro transactions in the next Dirt...
... I was there at the beginning... Loved Codemasters since my C64 days.. looks like Dirt 5 will be my last Codemasters game.. like many have said.. expect future titles to be filled with heinous MTXs... Similar to NBA.. sad times... It kind of rings the final death knell for racers in general.. a dying game genre.. 2020 .. the year the just keeps giving..
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