Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (TTWO), Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI): Can “Grand Theft Auto V” Save the Video-Game Industry?

“I can’t clarify exactly what the impact on the comp is of Grand Theft Auto V, but obviously, it’s going to be a huge title,” GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME)’s CFO noted in Thursday morning’s earnings call, also pointing out that it will be the only U.S. retailer that will be selling a $150 collectors’ edition.

Surely there’s some irony in shelling out $150 for a collectible version of a game about living a life of crime.

There will be less drama surrounding Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) itself than there was when Grand Theft Auto IV was released in April 2008. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) made several offers to buy out Take-Two in the months preceding and following that game’s release, and shareholders rebuffed EA’s advances every time. There doesn’t appear to be a repeat performance out of EA this time around.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) continues to trade well below EA’s original offer to cash out investors at $26 a pop, but you won’t find too many newer shareholders complaining about a stock that opened at a new high on Friday morning, 89% ahead of where it was a year earlier.

The game’s afoot, and that foot just happens to be on the accelerator.

The article Can “Grand Theft Auto V” Save the Video-Game Industry? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Activision Blizzard and Take-Two Interactive and owns shares of Activision Blizzard and GameStop. 

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