Mattel, Infogrames and Hasbro linked with GT buyout

With Driver and TA: Kingdoms at number one in the PlayStation and PC charts respectively, everything should be fine and dandy at GT Interactive. Except that they're up for sale. Giant toy manufacturers Mattel are the latest to be linked with the buyout, as are Hasbro.

Meanwhile, Infogrames are always on the lookout for some deal or other and they may be tempted to put in a bid (it's getting like pre-season football transfers, eh? 'Want-away striker GT is in talks with French giants Infogrames. Subject to personal terms, a deal could be concluded next week. GT is undergoing a medical.')

Infogrames' boss Bruno Bonnell told CTW: "They're (GT) definitely an interesting company, but we need to investigate a little more. We always say that there are a number of criteria for us to acquire a company. The management has to fit with our style, there has to be leverage with our European operation and the price has to be right. We do like the management, though."

Let's hope a deal is sorted as soon as possible. After all, someone's got to sort out 'the odd bug' which appears in Driver.