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TTWO
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

5/18/2013, 6:33 AM ET
Quote & Headlines Market Currents StockTalk Description

We are a global publisher, developer and distributor of interactive entertainment software and hardware. Our publishing business consists of our wholly-owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. We develop, market and publish software titles for the leading gaming and entertainment hardware platforms including: Sony's PlayStation®3 ("PS3") and PlayStation®2 ("PS2") computer entertainment systems; Sony's PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) ("PSP") system; Microsoft's Xbox 360® ("Xbox 360") video game and entertainment system; Nintendo's Wii™ ("Wii") and DS™ ("DS") systems; and for the PC and Games for Windows®. We also selectively develop and publish titles for digital distribution via Sony's PlayStation®Network ("PSN") and Microsoft's Xbox LIVE® Marketplace ("Xbox LIVE") and Xbox LIVE® Arcade ("XBLA"), as well as digitally offer our PC titles through online download stores and services such as Steam.

We have also begun to develop and publish titles for the iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The global installed base for the prior generation of platforms, including PS2 and DS ("prior generation platforms") is substantial. The release of the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii platforms ("current generation platforms") has further expanded the video game software market. We are continuing to increase the number of titles released on the current generation platforms while also developing titles for certain prior generation platforms such as PS2 and DS given their significant installed base, as long as it is economically attractive to do so. Our distribution business, which consists of our Jack of All Games subsidiary, distributes our products as well as software, hardware and accessories produced by others to retail outlets in North America.

The demographics of the interactive entertainment industry audience have broadened significantly over the past few years, with video games becoming an increasingly popular form of mainstream entertainment. According to the Entertainment Software Association, more than two-thirds of all American households play PC or video games, with an estimated 68% of heads of households now playing games. The average game player is 35 years old and has been actively playing for 12 years. Despite the widening of this audience, the video game industry has not been immune to the ongoing challenges of the economic environment. The "Global Video Game Market Update" published by International Development Group ("IDG") in November 2009 forecasts that the annual sales of video game software in North America, Europe, and Japan will decline from $27.7 billion in 2008 to an estimated $16.7 billion in 2013. In addition, IDG forecasts that the number of video game software units sold annually will also decline from 645.5 million in 2008 to an estimated 462.6 million in 2013.

Our distribution business, which consists of our Jack of All Games subsidiary, distributes our products as well as software, hardware, and accessories produced by others to retail outlets in North America. Revenue in our distribution business is derived from the sale of third party software titles, accessories and hardware in North America. Operating margins in our distribution business depend in large part on the mix of software and hardware sales, with software sales generally yielding higher margins than hardware. In September 2008, we agreed to outsource the pick, pack, ship and warehousing functions for our publishing and distribution businesses to a third party logistics management solutions provider. Additionally, we adopted a plan to reduce the number of units held in inventory in order to focus on higher margin titles and improve the operating efficiency of the business. We also sold certain assets of our U.S. based distribution business to the third party logistics management solutions provider.

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1993 and are headquartered in New York, New York with 2,263 employees globally. Our telephone number is (646) 536-2842 and our website address is www.take2games.com. We make all of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") available free of charge on our website under the caption "Corporate—Corporate Overview—SEC Filings." Included in these filings are our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, which are available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.