Electronic Arts, the world's largest video-game publisher, has launched a US$2-billion takeover bid for Take-Two Interactive, publisher of the Grand Theft Auto series of games.

Both companies have a big presence in Vancouver. The Straight has previously reported that EA's subsidiary, Electronic Arts Canada, generates approximately $1 billion in sales per year of games created in Greater Vancouver.

Take-Two owns Rockstar Games, which was formerly known as Barking Dog Studios in Vancouver.

EA has offered $26 per share for Take-Two Interactive, which is about to release its fourth installment of Grand Theft Auto. It would take EA in a new direction after dominating the market for many years with its sports games and the lucrative Need for Speed franchise.

Last year, the Straight's video-game columnist, Blaine Kyllo, reported on Rockstar Games' difficulty with the British Board of Film Classification for a game called Manhunt, which featured a mad scientist who ends up in an asylum.

Late last year, two Vancouver video-game executives, Simon Andrews and Nik Palmer—both formerly with EA—told the Straight that Vancouver would lose jobs in the video-game industry to other jurisdictions if the B.C. Liberal government didn't match the incentives offered in Quebec.

In particular, they predicted that "the growth would stop". Now with EA possibly buying Take-Two Interactive, there is a chance of greater efficiencies in this sector, both locally and across North America.