The Daily Radar has a story on Take Two Interactive Software gaining exclusive rights for Empire Interactive console games in North America. Talonsoft, a Take Two subsidiary, would get PC distribution rights. From the story:
The first titles under this agreement are expected in Summer 2000. We are excited to be entering into this partnership with Empire Interactive, said Jamie Leece, Take-Two Interactive's vice president of business development. This agreement adds additional depth to Take-Two's already impressive calendar 2000 schedule.
That impressive calendar, of course, includes Bungie games Oni and Halo. Take-Two is the exclusive distributor of Bungie Software games in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. According to a press release on the Take Two site, this contract covers not only Halo and Oni, but two undisclosed projects. Take Two also co-publishes Bungie games in Europe and Australia and owns a 19.9% equity stake in Bungie.