Electronic Arts today announced that it is not going to pursue to acquisition of GTA publisher Take-Two Interactive, following months of hostile buyout offers by EA and confidential meetings and the like.

The monolithic publisher has a “high regard for Take-Two’s creative teams and products,” however, “after careful consideration, including a management presentation and review of other due diligence materials provided by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., EA has decided not to make a proposal to acquire Take-Two and has terminated discussions with Take-Two.”

This has been blamed on the imminent contract expiry of Rockstar with Take-Two, which means that EA wouldn’t get talent from the studio if they bought their publisher.

Stocks of both companies have taken a big hit.