With all the merges going on in the gaming industry, is it possible that we'll see another smaller development studio make a break for independence, similar to what Bungie did? According to the often-quoted Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, it certainly is.
Specifically, Pachter believes that Rockstar Games will split off from publisher Take Two in 2009 once their contact expires in February 2009. It's not because Rockstar is dissatisfied with Take Two, but rather that they would like to test their market value. After all, with a franchise as insanely popular as GTA, why not?
[blockquote2]I don't think that this is an issue of dissatisfaction with Take-Two; rather, I think it is rational to believe that in the wake of the $850 million Pandemic/BioWare deal, high quality developers like Bungie and [Rockstar] North would look to test their market. value[/blockquote2]Not sure if I see this happening, but then again, the Bungie split was widely unexpected. Anything can happen.
Pachter: GTA Dev Rockstar North May Eventually 'Pull a Bungie,' Split from Take-Two [Shacknews]