Ken Levine, the creative force behind the Sci-Fi adventure game, Bioshock, is in talks with Take Two, the publisher of the title, for a new contract.
Inside sources indicate that the talks are in a "delicate" stage but that the deal, if taken by Levine, will allow him more creative control over his projects as well as allowing him to start new game lines.
Will the new contract mean big bucks for Levine? Most likely, but other sources say it won’t be in the same pay stratosphere as the creators of Grand Theft Auto IV.
"Levine delivered a big hit for Take-Two and they want to give him a good deal going forward. But ‘BioShock’ isn’t ‘Grand Theft Auto.’ It’s not even in the same universe," said an unnamed source.
Keeping Levine on the Take Two team will not only assure the quality of the next BioShock game, but will also serve as a bargaining chip in making the company more attractive to the ever stalking EA. Electronic Arts has been actively jockeying for position in order to take over T2 through several bids but has failed to come up with a figure that the Take Two Board of Directors is satisfied with.
With Levine onboard, he enhances the perception of value of Take Two and possibly increases the chances of a higher price from EA. Evan Wilson of Pacific Crest Securities commented, "Having certifiable hit makers on staff is rare. If Take-Two tried to sell without development talent, then what would EA really be buying?"
EA is currently extending its offer to buyout Take Two till July 18. This is the fourth extension that Electronic Arts has made.
[via NYPost]
