|
3
|
|
|
|
|
User Article
73 Views
By Mayaseven on Sep 06 2008, 6:45 am
|
MyFFXI's The NM: Issue 7: Square-Enix, Tecmo, and Koei in Merger Talks Continue
Hello MyFFXI members, yes the merger talks between Square Enix and Tecmo and now Koei continue...
Spurning Square Enix's offer, the Ninja Gaiden-maker is reportedly considering a union with the Dynasty Warriors publisher.
Last week, Square Enix sent waves through the game industry byannouncing a "friendly" offer to buy Tecmo for around $200 million. Theunsolicited bid would've added the action games of the troubled latter,which includes the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series, to themassive role-playing portfolio of the former, which features the FinalFantasy and Dragon Quest series.
While Square Enix's offer put a generous 30 percent premium onTecmo's stock, it also had a firm deadline of Thursday, September 4.Today, Tecmo president Yasuharu Kakihara rejected it outright,according to the Reuters news service. Instead, the publisher announcedis in talks to merge with another Japanese game label, DynastyWarriors-maker Koei.
"Through a merger, we expect we can grow further by respecting bothcompanies' identities and having an environment in which employees canfully exhibit their skills," the two companies said in a jointstatement. Kakihara also said he would not consider another offer bySquare Enix, which is considering its next move.
Tecmo shares rose 7.5 percent to ¥937 (around $8.70) on news of themerger, with Koei's stock climbing 0.3 percent to ¥1,552 ($14.41) andSquare Enix stock sliding 1.9 percent to ¥3,550 ($32.96). Trading ofboth Tecmo and Koei shares were halted by the Tokyo Stock Exchangebefore the closing bell.
Financial details on the Tecmo-Koei merger remained unclear as ofpress time. However, even a union of the two companies would be around30 percent the size of Square Enix, with just ¥40 billion ($371million) in sales. It would also mark the latest round of consolidationin the Japanese game industry, which saw the formation of Namco Bandaiin 2005, Sega Sammy in 2004, and Square Enix in 2003.
Over all on September 4, 2008 Square Enix had withdrew their offer after Tecmo rejected the proposed takeover.
Source: IGN FFXI Vault
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
