192w ago - Today a rumor has been making its rounds on the Internet that Electronic Arts, among several other companies, may be considering a takeover of THQ.

According to a THQ stockholder on Minyanville.com (linked above), he looks favorably on the potential acquisition.

To quote: "I usually ignore takeover rumors because 99.9% of the time, they're 100% false. However, I'm giving some credence to today's gossip - that video-game software publisher THQ (THQI) is being looked at as a target for media companies, including Electronic Arts (ERTS), Time Warner (TWX), and News Corp. (NWS). The stock is up sharply on heavy volume, and options-traders are busy scooping up calls.

As a THQ shareholder, I'm obviously biased in favor of a deal. But just take an objective look at the video-game industry landscape, and you'll see that the rumor-mongers just might be on the money, with EA playing the part of buyer."

246w ago - Back before Square Enix rescinded its friendly Tecmo takeover bid, we first broke the news that RPG maker was baffled. Tecmo rejected its offer in favor of merging with Dynasty Warriors company Koei. Most curious. Square Enix had three questions for Tecmo:

1. Please confirm that the decision on the start of discussions with KOEI toward integration of management is the reason for rejection of the Proposal.

2. If that is the case, please clarify concretely that major terms of integration of management with KOEI (form of the integration, stock prices assumption, integration ratio and so forth) are favorable for TECMO's shareholders than the Proposal.

3. If not, please clarify that TECMO has an alternative plan, which is favorable for TECMO's shareholders than the Proposal.

Tecmo didn't answer these questions until today. We've translated that, after the jump.

1. "The reason why the Tecmo board members did not accept this offer is because of the decision to begin merger talks with Koei."

2. "Supposing this is the case, then the plan to merge with Koei (form of the integration, stock prices assumption, integration ratio and so forth) is concretely beneficial to Tecmo shareholders."

3. "Supposing this isn't...

246w ago - Facing tough competition from a red-hot console market, developers are looking online in a bid to keep computer-based gaming alive.

There was a time when personal computers were the tools of choice for hard-core gamers. But four years ago, on the brink of the release of the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360, analysts were proclaiming the death of PC gaming.

These new consoles - well, Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox - were more powerful than the computers at the time, and were integrating with home entertainment systems to provide high definition experiences beyond just gaming. Nintendo, meanwhile, offered a completely new approach to gaming with its Wiimote controllers.

And this year, Electronic Arts decided to kill the PC versions of many of its popular sports titles, including Madden NFL 09, Tiger Woods PGA Tour and NBA Live. LucasArts is releasing The Force Unleashed, its new Star Wars title, on every platform except PC.

Even developers who built their companies by producing games for computers are now turning to console development.

Crytek's Stan Huebler has indicated that his company, which stunned the industry with its PC-processing intensive Crysis, won't be making any more PC exclusive titles, and id Software's John Carmack told Tom's Hardware Guide that...

268w ago - Internet search engine Yahoo says it is "not opposed" to Microsoft's takeover bid, but wants a better price.

The letter from Yahoo's board was a swift response to a deadline issued at the weekend by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for Yahoo to agree to the deal.

Microsoft warned if the deal was not accepted by 26 April, it would mount a hostile takeover at a lower price.

The software giant made an unsolicited $44.6bn (£22.3bn) takeover offer for Yahoo on 31 January.

But Yahoo rejected the deal, saying it substantially underrated the company's value and prospects.

'Counterproductive'

"We have continued to make clear that we are not opposed to a transaction with Microsoft if it is in the best interests of our stockholders," the letter said.

"Our position is simply that any transaction must be at a value that fully reflects the value of Yahoo, including any strategic benefits to Microsoft, and on terms that provide certainty to our stockholders."

In the letter, Yahoo said the threat to begin a hostile takeover was "counter-productive".

Yahoo has been seeking links with other media and internet firms that would help it retain its independence.

However, most companies with the financial clout to rescue...