Take-Two Interactive

Lore & Background

The company owns three major publishing labels: Rockstar Games, 2K and Zynga, which operate internal game development studios. Take-Two created the Private Division label to support publishing from independent developers, though it sold the label in 2024 to private equity. The company also oversaw the formation of Ghost Story Games from the remains of Irrational Games under 2K Games. The company acquired the developers Socialpoint, Playdots and Nordeus to establish itself in the mobile game market. The company also owns 50% of professional esports organization NBA 2K League through NBA Take-Two Media. Take-Two's combined portfolio includes franchises such as BioShock, Borderlands, Civilization, Grand Theft Auto, Mafia, NBA 2K, WWE 2K, and Red Dead among others.

Reader's Guide

Take-Two Interactive was founded by Ryan Ashley Brant and Mark E. Seremet. Brant had attended the Hotchkiss School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in May 1992. He began his career in May 1991, working for his father as the chief operating officer of Stewart, Tabori & Chang until August 1993. Take-Two was incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law on September 30, 1993, with Brant as CEO and Seremet as president.

The company initially acquired MicroProse's development team in Greensburg and became its development center. By June 1994, the company had acquired and absorbed InterOptica. Starting with Star Crusader in September 1994, Take-Two found its first major success with games that included full motion video with well-known live actors. The company had its initial public offering on April 15, 1997, listed under the ticker symbol TTWO on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

In March 1998, Take-Two acquired all assets of BMG Interactive, gaining the Grand Theft Auto property, and contacted Sam and Dan Houser, Terry Donovan, and Jamie King to found a new label called Rockstar Games. In 1999, Take-Two acquired DMA Design (ultimately renamed Rockstar North). In February 2001, Brant stepped down as CEO to serve as its chairman, replaced by Kelly Sumner.

Did You Know?

• Take-Two's first major success came from games with full motion video featuring well-known live actors, such as Hell: A Cyberpunk Thriller (1994) which sold over 300,000 copies.
• The company acquired BMG Interactive in 1998 for approximately $1.85 million in stock, gaining the Grand Theft Auto property.
• Take-Two's IPO on April 15, 1997, opened above the expected price and rose on its first day.