Take-Two agrees senior Rockstar deals
The Housers and several others now hooked into agreements until 2012
Take-Two has announced that it has signed new long-term employment contracts with senior team members at Rockstar, including Sam and Dan Houser.
The new contracts will initially run to January 31, 2012, and have also been handed to Leslie Benzies as well as "several other key members of the creative team".
The publisher has also agreed to fund the production of new IP from a new company which will be controlled by key Rockstar team members, although no specific details on what that will be have been announced.
"We're delighted with the extension and expansion of Take-Two's relationship with the Rockstar team," said Strauss Zelnick, chairman of Take-Two. "The talent and creativity at Rockstar are unparalleled in our industry.
"Their dedication to making extraordinary games has captured the enthusiasm of millions of fans around the world and has contributed enormously to establishing Take-Two as a force in the global video game marketplace and advancing our goal to become the most creative and most innovative company in the industry. In addition, this new chapter in our successful relationship further aligns the interests of our creative teams with those of our shareholders."
And Sam Houser, founder and executive producer at Rockstar, added: "The entire Rockstar team has always been dedicated to making groundbreaking games with unprecedented production values, style and depth. We are excited to continue our partnership with the new management team at Take-Two, who have helped us to protect the unique atmosphere that fosters creativity and innovation."
Take-Two's share price remained flat at USD 12.07 yesterday, although after-hours trading saw it fall by 19 per cent to under USD 10.