A few days ago we wrote about possible complications in the EA/Take-Two merger, and it turns out that the rumors were right on the money. Electronic Arts abandoned its $2 billion bid to acquire Take-Two Interactive Software after seven months of trying.

Apparently, EA decided not to make a proposal and terminated discussions after “careful consideration, including a management presentation and review of other due diligence materials provided by Take-Two Interactive Software.”

Personally, I’m quite happy for this EA decision, as I had a strange feeling that if this merger took place, we’d soon see a diluted and children-friendly version of GTA where the action button would make your player politely ask the cab-driver to step out of the car. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if we ended up chasing coins instead of stealing cars. (Paranoid, aren't we? sub.ed.)

More here.