The topic of this column shocked me the first time I laid my eyes on this bit of news. In mid-August, Hasbro Inc. agreed to acquire MicroProse. Shocking, isn't it? Innocent Hasbro has just recently entered the computer gaming industry in 1995. Previously it consisted mainly of a childrens' line of toys, including "...Playskool, Kenner, Tonka, OddzOn, Super Soaker, Milton Bradley, and Parker Brothers...." The majority of their computer games are ports of their classic board games, such as Monopoly and Battleship. This child's company agreed to pay $6 per common share of MicroProse, totaling approximately $70 million, which will make MicroProse a wholly owned subsidiary of Hasbro. While Hasbro isn't the biggest name in computer games, MicroProse is one of the best known publishers in the industry. According to a MicroProse press release:
"MicroProse has more games in the Computer Gaming World's Hall of Fame than any other publisher. The company has 10 Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame honors including awards for the legendary Civilization series; the Falcon flight simulation franchise; X-Com, the best-selling science fiction computer game line; and Gunship, Master of Orion, and Master of Magic. Other key brand franchises include the multi-million unit selling MechWarrior line, Magic the Gathering, Star Trek: Next Generation the series, Top Gun, the Grand Prix racing line, F-15 Strike Eagle, and Worms. MicroProse has technologies that are critical to PC entertainment software development, including 3-D simulation, artificial game intelligence, and networked game-play capabilities."
To think that this juggernaut has been bought out boggles the mind. However, it wasn't a surprise to anyone around Hasbro. Hasbro had just recently purchased Avalon Hill, a game developer, for about $6 million, and they weren't stopping there. They have plans to grow outwards. With their forward progression and MicroProse's reported financial troubles, everything just fell into place. Tom Dusenberry, president of Hasbro Interactive Inc. said of the transaction, "The acquisition of MicroProse will significantly enhance Hasbro Interactive in three key strategic growth areas: brands and content, R&D assets, and European distribution." With the purchase Hasbro will now be able to compete in pretty much every computer game category out there. The deal is expected to close sometime in September.
Hasbro Interactive Inc.'s web site can be found at http://www.hasbro.com.
MicroProse's web site can be found at http://www.microprose.com
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