Square Enix Behind Eidos Takeover Bid

[DoctorFinger]

We've known for a while that Eidos has been on the block. We've also known for a (shorter) while that a company had made an offer on the British publisher. Now we know the name behind the bid: Square Enix.

The $121 million bid - a 258% premium over the share price on January 14, the day of the bid - has been endorsed by Eidos' board of directors, and will go to a shareholders vote early next month.

The deal would give the Japanese giant control over Eidos' robust catalogue of intellectual properties, including but not limited to: Tomb Raider, Kane & Lynch, Legacy of Kain, Just Cause and Hitman.

Source - Gamesindustry.

[Gorvi]

Legacy of Kain RPG please!

[Lithium Flower]

Aww, I wanted Ubisoft to acquire Eidos! *sigh* I am not happy!

[AgtFox]

I think the biggest surprise is that it wasn't Warner Bros. Interactive behind the wooing since they own a significant percentage of Eidos already. Square-Enix is just kind of weird, but it should be interesting.

[rein]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

Legacy of Kain RPG please!

Exactly. That, and give me my old school Legacy of Kain. I loved the original bugs and all. Make it a PSN/XBL game.

I know that Eidos had a lot of properties but that seems like a high price tag. Several of those properties has worn out their welcome.

Still, a good Legacy of Kain game would be pretty sweet.

[Nura]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

Legacy of Kain RPG please!

Yes. Now!


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[DoctorFinger]

Considering how many IPs Eidos owns, and how many of those have been or are being turned into films, $121M isn't a terribly high number.

[Telefrog]

With this news and the previous bit about Square Enix publishing Supreme Commander 2, I guess we can see they were serious about getting "more Westernized" in their games.

[Chris_D]

Square Enix desperately needs some diversification (one of the reasons they went after Koei I guess) so this doesn't seem like a bad move.

[rein]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

Considering how many IPs Eidos owns, and how many of those have been or are being turned into films, $121M isn't a terribly high number.

I suppose you're right. It it occurred to me that even though they were not happy with TR:Underworld sales it still sold well over a million units.

[Raen]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

Considering how many IPs Eidos owns, and how many of those have been or are being turned into films, $121M isn't a terribly high number.

I'd say it's actually a pretty good deal. Although Eidos complained the Underworld only sold 1.5 million copies, that's still around $90 million. Sure you have to subtract the costs, but still makes it a very good deal.

[Norse]

I've yet to play a Square-Enix game I like, so this can't be good news.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Norse

I've yet to play a Square-Enix game I like, so this can't be good news.

What exactly have you played?

[roboninja]

Originally Posted by Norse

I've yet to play a Square-Enix game I like, so this can't be good news.

I am not a huge Square fan, but to say I have never enjoyed any of their games would be disingenuous. I do find it interesting that they are acquiring what is most definitely a "Western" developer.

[Doctor Setebos]

Square Enix: the Acti-Blizzard of Japan!

[Kelegacy]

Originally Posted by Norse

I've yet to play a Square-Enix game I like, so this can't be good news.

Not even Einhander? They make more than just JRPGs, but I still like SE.

Still, Square > Enix. But even after the merger, I remain a fan.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Kelegacy

Still, Square > Enix. But even after the merger, I remain a fan.

Absolutely. Most of what people don't like about SE came about after the merger. The old Squaresoft was fantastic.

[Dukefrukem]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

Legacy of Kain RPG please!

Bahahah. I was gonna say Tomb Raider RPG.

[KSmitty]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

Absolutely. Most of what people don't like about SE came about after the merger. The old Squaresoft was fantastic.

I can still remember all the articles in gaming mags about the "huge" Squaresoft/Enix merger. I would say that I prefer Squaresoft, but I still enjoyed plenty of Enix games.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by KSmitty

I can still remember all the articles in gaming mags about the "huge" Squaresoft/Enix merger. I would say that I prefer Squaresoft, but I still enjoyed plenty of Enix games.

I liked Enix's games, but it's more with the direction the company took after the merger. That's when all the FF milking started. Now, I'm a big fan of FF, and I enjoyed the pre-merger stuff like Chocobo Racing and things like that, but post-merger most of the variety from both Squaresoft and Enix's library pretty much dried up. No more R.A.D.s, Einhanders, Tobals, Threads of Fates, Vagrant Stories, or Bouncers. Not all of those were great, but they were different, they weren't all the "safe" releases we see now from them.