VIDEO GAME NEWS LINES

FTC approves EA's proposed bid for Take-Two (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. antitrust authorities would approve a combination of Electronic Arts Inc with rival video game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software, according to letters from the Federal Trade Commission posted on the agency's web site.

Reuters - Video games publisher Electronic Arts set a launch date of February 20, 2009 for the latest installment of its biggest-selling franchise, the Sims, on Wednesday.

USATODAY.com - The Nintendo Wii remains the hottest selling next generation video game system, outpacing competing consoles for the 10th straight month.

AP - I'm a sucker for big, juicy games with flashy graphics, block-rockin' audio and tons of things to do. This summer has been unusually rich in such ambitious productions, with high-profile releases like "Metal Gear Solid 4," "Ninja Gaiden II" and "Grid."

AP - Video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. is retracting its hostile bid for smaller rival Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., but a deal — and a friendly one at that — is likelier than ever.

NewsFactor - The Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive Software acquisition drama continues as the mammoth video-game publisher said it won't extend a Monday deadline for its $2 billion offer to buy Take-Two, maker of the Grand Theft Auto franchise series.

Reuters - Microsoft Corp's Xbox 360 beat Sony Corp's (6758.T) PlayStation 3 in Japan weekly sales for the first time two weeks ago, riding robust demand for a recent Xbox 360 title produced by Namco Bandai Holdings (7832.T), a magazine publisher said.

AFP - Playing video games improves manual dexterity among surgeons, making them faster and less likely to make mistakes, US researchers have said.

Reuters - Sony Corp (6758.T) does not plan to announce price cuts to its flagship PlayStation 3 games console at Europe's biggest video games fair in Leipzig, Germany next week, a company spokesman said on Friday.

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