SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

SCHEDULE 14D-9

 

 

SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(d)(4)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. 10)

 

TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.

(Name of Subject Company)

 

TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.

(Name of Person Filing Statement)

 

COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

874054109

(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

 

Ben Feder
Chief Executive Officer
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
622 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(646) 536-2842

(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive
notices and communications on behalf of the person filing statement)

 

Copies to:

 

Seth D. Krauss, Esq.
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
622 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(646) 536-2842

 

Ori Solomon, Esq.
Proskauer Rose, LLP
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036-8299
(212) 969-3000

 

 

o  Check the box if the filing relates to preliminary communications made before the
commencement date of a tender offer.

 

 



 

This Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 14D-9 amends and supplements the Schedule 14D-9, originally filed by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 26, 2008, as amended by Amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 thereto (the “Schedule 14D-9”), relating to the tender offer commenced by EA08 Acquisition Corp. (“Purchaser”), a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EA”), to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Shares”) at a purchase price of $26.00 net per Share in cash without interest, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated March 13, 2008 and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Offer to Purchase and any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer”) contained in the Schedule TO filed by Purchaser with the SEC on March 13, 2008.   On April 18, 2008, Purchaser adjusted the purchase price to $25.74 per Share and the Offer was extended to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, May 16, 2008.   On May 19, 2008, the Offer was extended to 11:59 p.m., New York City time on Monday, June 16, 2008.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Schedule 14D-9.

 

ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION

 

Item 4(b) is hereby amended by adding thereto the following information.

 

On May 19, 2008, the Company issued a press release and sent an email to its employees in response to EA’s third extension of the Offer.

 

A copy of the press release and the email are filed as exhibits hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 9. EXHIBITS

 

Item 9 is hereby amended and supplemented by adding the following thereto:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

(a)(15)

 

Press Release entitled “Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Responds to Electronic Arts’ Extension of Tender Offer” issued May 19, 2008 by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

 

(a)(16)

 

Email from the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Employees dated May 19, 2008

 

 

2



 

SIGNATURE

 

After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

 

TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Daniel P. Emerson

 

 

Daniel P. Emerson

 

 

Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

Dated:  May 19, 2008

 

3



 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

(a)(15)

 

Press Release entitled “Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Responds to Electronic Arts’ Extension of Tender Offer” issued May 19, 2008 by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

 

(a)(16)

 

Email from the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Employees dated May 19, 2008

 

 

4


Exhibit (a)(15)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT

 

Meg Maise (Corporate Press/Investor Relations)

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

(646) 536-2932

meg.maise@take2games.com

 

Brunswick Group

Steve Lipin/Nina Devlin

(212) 333-3810

taketwo@brunswickgroup.com

 

TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE, INC. RESPONDS TO ELECTRONIC ARTS’
EXTENSION OF TENDER OFFER

 

New York, NY— May 19, 2008 — Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today responded to Electronic Arts Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ERTS) announcement that it is extending for a third time its unsolicited conditional tender offer to acquire all of Take-Two’s outstanding shares.

 

As reported by EA, only 6,210,261 of Take-Two’s outstanding shares, or approximately 8.0% of the total, tendered into EA’s offer as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 16, 2008.

 

Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of the Board of Take-Two, commented, “This is the same highly conditional proposal that EA offered Take-Two stockholders on March 13, 2008, which our Board of Directors thoroughly reviewed and unanimously determined to be inadequate and contrary to the best interests of Take-Two’s stockholders.  As such, the recommendation of our Board of Directors that stockholders not tender their shares to EA remains unchanged. The Board is committed to maximizing stockholder value and is exploring all strategic alternatives to do so. We said we were willing to begin formal discussions with interested parties on April 30, following the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV, and we have in fact begun that process. We are confident in the significant growth potential of Take-Two and in the unique value of our business given our strong position in this growing and dynamic industry.”

 

Ben Feder, Take-Two’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “EA’s highly conditional offer fails to compensate our stockholders for our exceptional portfolio of intellectual property, world-class creative resources, and our successful revitalization initiatives. In the last several weeks, our strategy and Take-Two’s value have been vividly demonstrated by two notable events. The record-breaking sales performance of Grand Theft Auto IV in its first week of release confirmed its status as the most successful video game launch of all time and as a blockbuster on par with any entertainment product ever released. We have also just announced an agreement with Universal Pictures to make BioShock, the universally acclaimed hit video game, into a feature film, demonstrating how Take-Two is delivering value from our powerful and wholly-owned intellectual property.  The small number of shares tendered into EA’s offer to date demonstrates that our stockholders agree with what our Board has maintained from the beginning: EA’s proposal undervalues our Company.”

 

For more information, please visit www.taketwovalue.com.

 

About Take-Two Interactive Software

 



 

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC,  PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® and Xbox® video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™ and Game Boy® Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play, and distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

 

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

 

Important Legal Information

 

In connection with the tender offer commenced by Electronic Arts Inc., the Company has filed with the Securities Exchange Commission a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. The Company’s stockholders should read carefully the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (including any amendments or supplements thereto) prior to making any decisions with respect to Electronic Arts’ tender offer because it contains important information. Free copies of the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 and the related amendments or supplements thereto that the Company has filed with the SEC are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or invitation to purchase any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to Electronic Arts’ tender offer or otherwise.

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them. The Company has no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary significantly from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of factors. These risks and uncertainties include the matters relating to the Special Committee’s investigation of the Company’s stock option grants and the restatement of our consolidated financial statements. The investigation and conclusions of the Special Committee may result in claims and proceedings relating to such matters, including previously disclosed shareholder and derivative litigation and actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or other governmental agencies and negative tax or other implications for the Company resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors. Further risks and uncertainties associated with Electronic Arts’ tender offer to acquire the Company’s outstanding shares are as follows: the risk that key employees may pursue other employment opportunities due to concerns as to their employment security with the Company; the risk that the acquisition proposal will make it more difficult for the Company to execute its strategic plan and pursue other strategic opportunities; the risk that the future trading price of our common stock is likely to be volatile and could be subject to wide price fluctuations; and the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with Electronic Arts’ tender offer, or otherwise, may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability. Other important factors are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” as updated in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008, in the section entitled “Risk Factors.” All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date they are made.

 

# # #

 


 

Exhibit (a)(16)

 

Dear Team,

 

As you may know, this morning EA extended its unsolicited conditional tender offer for our Company until June 16 at the same price of $25.74 per share.  Only 8.0% of Take-Two stockholders tendered into the offer, which we view as a vote of confidence in our management and further evidence that EA’s offer still fails to adequately compensate stockholders for the value of our Company.

 

That value was clearly reflected by the outstanding performance of Grand Theft Auto IV and our agreement with Universal Pictures to make BioShock into a feature film.  Both of these developments demonstrate how Take-Two is delivering value from our powerful, wholly-owned intellectual property.

 

As we have said before, we are committed to exploring all alternatives to maximize stockholder value, which may include a business combination with other third parties or remaining independent. With that in mind, we are moving forward with a process to review these strategic alternatives.

 

The smash success of GTA IV and the superior value being created by Take-Two are the direct result of the time and effort we have all invested.  Continuing our strong momentum, our product pipeline for 2008 and 2009 is the broadest and most exciting in our history. We appreciate your tremendous efforts to bring these new titles to life.

 

Our achievements are the direct result of the time and effort we have all invested and we are grateful for your ongoing support.

 

Sincerely,

 

Strauss and Ben

 

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or invitation to purchase any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, pursuant to Electronic Arts’ tender offer or otherwise, nor does this communication constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval.