Codemasters Hints At Buyout Plans

A new interview with Codemasters CEO Rob Cousens suggests that the veteran independent UK publisher and developer may be seeking a buyer, with Cousens describing the company as “unrivaled” in its attractiveness to any interested “media giants”. Speaking to UK trade paper MCV, Cousens indicates that the company’s future plans involve either a stock market flotation - for which plans are proceeding - or an acquisition by a larger company. “If I’m a media company, I’m looking at that situation and I’m looking at games," he said. “And Codemasters is uniquely placed in terms of its premium. We’re the fastest growing company in the fastest growing entertainment sector. Add to that our strength online and technology such as EGO and, as a privately-owned company, we’re unrivaled.” Although no hint beyond the phrase “media giant” was given concerning currently interested parties, Codemasters has been working closely with Warner Bros. since December 2006, via a North American distribution deal. However, Cousens indicates that here has been no approach from a company outside the games market, with only one serious approach from an existing major publisher. This company has never been named and according to Cousens “nothing has come of it so far”.