Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello has said that Rockstar is the publisher’s “primary interest” in its bid to acquire Take Two.

EA’s buyout of Take Two became a much stronger possibility yesterday – as the US mega-publisher went ‘hostile’ by approaching individual shareholders with a tender offer of $26 per share.

Analysts and Wall Street observers have both predicted that Take Two stakeholders will find the offer very tempting, despite the company’s Board urging its investors to ‘take no action’ over the interest.

Many have speculated that EA’s interest had much to do with the chance to win the rights and personnel behind 2K’s Sports games, but Riccitiello called that benefit a “secondary consideration”.

Speaking to BBC News, Riccitiello said:

"The big headline here is that our primary interest is in Rockstar and the intellectual properties around Rockstar… Sports games are secondary consideration here.

He added: “In case of Rockstar I would point out that the leaders are young, vibrant, they're talented and committed… And what we have got right now is a corporate issue that has nothing to do with the people who build these games.

"I believe the company is fully justified in calling themselves Rockstar because that's what they are in this industry."