Take-Two sees Illusion
Take-Two Interactive Software said Tuesday that it has acquired Illusion Softworks, a Central European-based game development studio. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Illusion Softworks has about 200 employees and will join Take-Two’s 2K Games publishing label as its newest studio, 2K Czech. Established in 1997, Illusion is the creator and owner of such video game franchises as “Mafia,” “Hidden & Dangerous” and “Vietcong.”
SPT deal good for Divx
Shares of Divx soared 9.1% Tuesday to $14.01 after the video technology company announced a distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Television. Sony said the deal was part of its attempt to find legitimate ways of distributing its content online. JPMorgan analyst Paul Coster said the deal was a major endorsement of Divx and the first by a top-level content provider. He said Divx should benefit from viral distribution of its download system by other users.
Q4 up at Six Flags
Six Flags expects to slightly exceed its previous financial forecasts after reporting Tuesday that fourth-quarter revenue rose 7%, aided by a 4% increase in attendance. Six Flags, run by CEO Mark Shapiro, a former top executive at ESPN, said revenue climbed from $104 million last year to about $111 million, and attendance rose from 2.7 million to 2.8 million. Analysts expected revenue of $109 million, according to Thomson Financial.
