Epic's Rein makes light of MS buyout rumors

by Dustin Burg { Feb 19th 2008 at 12:00PM }

Last night the rumor mill was given a rather hefty spin when speculation hit the internets that Microsoft will be buying Epic Games (the fellas behind Gears of War and Unreal Tournament) for a cool $1 billion by Summer's end. And even though Epic Games hasn't officially responded to the rumor, Epic VP Mark Rein has never been one to back down from discussing rumors.

In an email response to Develop Mag, Mark Rein addresses and actually makes light of the buyout rumor, saying "I have not seen the actual GamePro article but if they're going to make predictions about us selling Epic we would prefer if they started at $2 billion." Hmm, $2 billion. Why $2 billion Mr. Rein? "Because we don't want anyone thinking that we're cheap. :)" Ahh, we get it. Har, har! And nice use of an emoticon. Classic stuff.

So, even though Mr. Rein responded to the MS buyout rumor, we don't really get any new insight to whether it's legit or total bologna. Because Rein cranked up the charm and joked around. Darnit Mark, this is serious stuff and all you do is laugh it off. We need answers and all give us is the fact that you think your company is worth $2 billion and inject smiley emoticons all over the place. The nerve of it all!

Tags: epic, epic-games, gdc08, gdc08fanboy, mark-rein, microsoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dadidito @ Feb 19th 2008 12:18PM

Wow. I didn't see a denial. Interesting....... I expected a whole reaction based on the ridiculous of the proposal. But what he said doesn't in any way say no.

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 19th 2008 12:19PM

How old is Marc Rein anyway, he has that 40year old Virgin look about him. =P

Goofy ass smile.....

Get ur ass back to Gears 2

machrc @ Feb 19th 2008 12:25PM

Im very pleased about the unreal engine all over again on Lost Odyssey .. If MS owns this engine for the next slew of titles for the 360.. I think its a great move..

and guarntee alot of "exclusive exclusive"(gots2say it twice these dayz)

can you just dream...

about a dark gritty halo 4 on a modified next gen unreal engine...blasphemy.

Adam @ Feb 19th 2008 12:28PM

Just like i said the price was off.And the fact he didn't say no says it all.If they weren't selling he would have made that clear.There selling and ms is buying plain and simple.

Deck @ Feb 19th 2008 12:31PM

Way to reply! That was good. Har!

Though without any denial, this may very well be true...

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 19th 2008 12:34PM

"about a dark gritty halo 4 on a modified next gen unreal engine"

They should have used it for Halo3 so all the graphics whores can STFU about it not looking next gen. I still enjoyed it but yea if it were on unreal it would look so much better.

Adam @ Feb 19th 2008 12:36PM

This and the fact that ms is gonna allow netflix "nbc.com" this is huge and they didnt even throw the ps3 into the netflix comments as well.

Adam @ Feb 19th 2008 12:37PM

Knight i gotta disagree unreal engine is a washed out engine lol.I mean every games coor from that engine i have seen is washed out the color in halo is outstanding and so are the graphics you must not be playing it on a hdtv.

SadisticHam @ Feb 19th 2008 12:51PM

Why is everyone starting to think cause he didn't say no it means their selling?

Seems to me he just found the whole idea of it amusing figured everyone would be smart enough to figure it out for themselves and laughed it off thinking he didn't need to directly confirm it's false.

But hey, maybe that's just me.

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 19th 2008 1:05PM

Wow, your silly. I AM playing on HD. I have 2 in fact one for my 360 in my media room and one for the PS3 in my Family room.

Both Samsung, both 50' 720p and 1080p.

I agree the color is very nice but there are alot of jaggies and some stages dont look as good as others. When I popped it in and started on that first stage with the waterfall, water effects, HDR lighting, and foliage I was AMAZED and still am. But then you get to some other areas that are just so so. I have UT3 on PS3 and it looks beautiful and the color is definately not washed out whatsoever. Gears on the other hand is SUPPOSED to look gritty and toned down in color on purpose. next time check your facts before you go mouthin off.

Adam @ Feb 19th 2008 3:36PM

Dude you insulting me over me saying halo3 looks good.I doubt you even have a xbox360 and your so called samsung tv due to the fact that you speak of jaggies?

I have seen no jaggies in the single player game play on halo3 everything runs smoother than a mutha fuka.And the fact that you stated unreal tournament on ps3 looks better you need your fucking eyes checked i played unreal it doesnt impress one bit just a old rehash like it was 1998 all over again i was on my dreamcast.

NukeAssault @ Feb 19th 2008 1:22PM

I think the correct term is "laugh it up fuzzball". =D

Any who, kinda wouldn't be surprised if MS scooped them up.

LOLADAM @ Feb 19th 2008 4:45PM

LOL ADAM at it again! xD. I seriously doubt you played Unreal for the PS3 before because obviously...you don't have one LOL. You call Unreal rehash then what is Halo 3? It hasn't changed since the FIRST game. You fight the same enemies in similar environments using the same fag with the same weapons. If you say so otherwise, then LOL. Actually, please do so I can get some laughs from you again!

Adam @ Feb 19th 2008 4:58PM

Fag charecter?I didnt know fags were in such high demand.Just becuase i dont own a ps3 doesnt mean i dont know an idiot who does or did for that matter.My friend owned a ps3 and returned it after a week of realising it sucked and nobody wanted to game at his house.My friends and i all have played unreal and it looks like SHIT.

Same old?

well the same old seems to be working just fine for halo as far as unreal goes its utter shit period.The charecters have no depth or story based around them its justa run around shooter no vehicles weak maps.

IT PLAIN SUCKS

Seriously you need to evaluate your comments before you post you stink of utter psshit fanboyism go troll somewhere else this is 360 fanboy we wont be taking to the likes of you for long.