Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2007 Financial Results

NEW YORK--September 10, 2007--Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today announced financial results for its third quarter and nine months ended July 31, 2007, which were in line with the Company's previously issued guidance.

Net revenue for the third quarter was $206.4 million, compared to $241.2 million for the same period of fiscal 2006. Leading third quarter sales this year were The Darkness, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The BIGS and All-Pro Football 2K8, all of which were new titles released this quarter. The decrease in net revenue year over year primarily reflects the strong prior year sales of titles from the Company's Grand Theft Auto franchise, led by Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, which was released in June 2006.

Net loss for the third quarter was $58.5 million or $0.81 per share, compared to a net loss of $91.4 million or $1.29 per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. As compared with the year-ago period, the 2007 third quarter results reflected a decrease in product costs, software development costs, royalties and operating expenses.

The third quarter 2007 loss includes pre-tax expenses totaling $12.4 million for business reorganization and related costs due to Take-Two's management changes, restructuring expenses from the Company's cost savings initiatives, legal expenses and other professional fees associated with the stock options investigation, responses to the New York County District Attorney's subpoenas, and other legal matters, as well as stock-based compensation expenses. Results for the third quarter 2006 included pre-tax expenses totaling $20.5 million for asset write-offs, severance and other expenses primarily related to studio closures, legal expenses and other professional fees associated with the stock options investigation, responses to the New York County District Attorney's subpoenas, and other legal matters, and stock-based compensation expenses. Third quarter 2006 results also reflected a non-cash charge of $59.5 million to record a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Non-GAAP net loss, excluding the expense items noted above, was $46.1 million or $0.64 per share in the third quarter of 2007, versus $19.4 million or $0.27 per share in the third quarter of 2006. (Please refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures and reconciliation information included later in this release.)

Business Highlights

Among the significant recent business developments, the Company noted the following:

Management Comments

Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two, stated, "Today we are establishing guidance for fiscal 2008 - the first full year to reflect the contributions of our new management team. Our outlook reflects a strong product pipeline, the benefits of a comprehensive restructuring and cost-efficiency program, including the sale of our non-core Joytech accessories division, and the expected profitability of our sports business. We also are announcing a new publishing label - 2K Play - focused on the expanding casual gamer market. We are proud of what this Company's management team has accomplished in a short time, and confident that our efforts will build the value of Take-Two in the future."

Ben Feder, Chief Executive Officer of Take-Two, added, "Take-Two is well-positioned to capitalize on the growth of the video game market as next generation consoles gain traction. Our creative teams are delivering a strong and increasingly diverse product portfolio, including our successful new BioShock franchise. We are looking forward to our 2007 holiday line up, as well as our solid 2008 slate, which includes the release of Grand Theft Auto IV in our fiscal 2008 second quarter."

Year-to-Date Results

For the nine months ended July 31, 2007, net revenues were $689.2 million, compared to $771.3 million for the same period a year ago. Net loss for the first nine months of 2007 was $131.3 million or $1.83 per share, compared to $170.9 million or $2.41 for the 2006 period. Results for the first nine months of 2007 reflect pre-tax expenses totaling approximately $44.7 million for items similar to those incurred in this year's third quarter. Results for the first nine months of 2006 included pre-tax expenses totaling $45.7 million for items similar to those incurred in last year's third quarter, as well as a non-cash charge of $59.5 million to record a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Non-GAAP net loss was $86.6 million or $1.21 per share in the first nine months of 2007, versus $83.0 million or $1.17 per share in the comparable period of 2006. (Please refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures and reconciliation information included later in this release.)

Financial Guidance

The Company is reiterating its previous guidance for the fourth quarter ending October 31, 2007, and providing initial guidance for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2008 as follows:

Business

reorganization

and other

unusual Stock-based

Non-GAAP charges per compensation

Revenue* EPS share (a) per share GAAP EPS

-----------------------------------------------------------

Fourth

quarter

ending $275 to $(0.05) to $(0.20) to

10/31/2007 $300 $(0.10) $(0.08) $(0.08) $(0.25)

Fiscal

year

ending

10/31/2007 $950 to $(1.30) to $(2.05) to

(b) $1,000 $(1.35) $(0.61) $(0.25) $(2.10)

Fiscal

year

ending

10/31/2008 $1,100 to $1.30 to $0.80 to

® $1,400 $1.50 $(0.05) $(0.45)(d) $1.00

(b) 2007 fiscal year EPS estimates reflect no tax benefit for losses. ® 2008 fiscal year EPS estimates reflect tax expense on international operations only.

(d) Includes estimated stock-based compensation expense for approximately 2 million stock options that are subject to variable accounting. Actual expense to be recorded in connection with these options is dependent upon several factors, including future changes in the Company's stock price.

Key assumptions and dependencies underlying the Company's guidance include continued consumer acceptance of the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii home video game system from Nintendo; the ability to develop and publish products that capture market share for these next generation systems while continuing to leverage opportunities on legacy platforms; as well as the timely delivery of the titles detailed in this release.

Product Pipeline

The following titles are planned for release in the remainder of fiscal 2007:

Title Platform

Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis Wii

Elder Scrolls IV®: Oblivion

Game of the Year Edition (GotY) Xbox 360, PC

NHL® 2K8 Xbox 360, PS3, PS2

NBA® 2K8 Xbox 360, PS3, PS2

MLB® Power Pros Wii, PS2

Manhunt 2 Wii, PS2, PSP

Take-Two's line up announced to date for fiscal 2008 includes the following titles:

Title Platform

Bully: Scholarship Edition Xbox 360, Wii

College Hoops 2K8 Xbox 360, PS3, PS2

Dora the Explorer DS and consoles

Go, Diego, Go! DS and consoles

Midnight Club: Los Angeles Xbox 360, PS3

Major League Baseball® 2K8 Multiple platforms

Top Spin Tennis Wii

Sid Meier's Civilization® Revolution Xbox 360, PS3, DS, Wii

Grand Theft Auto IV Xbox 360, PS3

Top Spin 3 Xbox 360, PS3

Grand Theft Auto IV episodic content Xbox 360

NBA® 2K9 Multiple platforms

NHL® 2K9 Multiple platforms

Borderlands Xbox 360, PS3, Games for Windows®

Conference Call

Take-Two will host a conference call today at 5:00 pm Eastern Time to review these results and discuss other topics. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-0984 or (201) 689-8577. A live listen-only webcast of the call will be available by visiting http://ir.take2games.com and a replay will be available following the call at the same location.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Take-Two also uses non-GAAP measures of financial performance that exclude certain non-recurring or non-cash items. Non-GAAP gross profit, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share are measures that exclude certain non-recurring or non-cash items and should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and are not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The non-GAAP measures exclude the following items from the Company's statements of operations:

In addition, the Company may consider whether other significant non-recurring items that arise in the future should also be excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures it uses.

The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in gaining an understanding of the Company's ongoing business. These non-GAAP financial measures also provide for comparative results from period to period. In addition, the Company believes it is appropriate to exclude certain items as follows:

Business reorganization and related restructuring expenses

In March 2007, the Company's stockholders elected a new slate of members to Take-Two's Board of Directors, who immediately removed the Company's former President and Chief Executive Officer. Subsequently, the Company's former Chief Financial Officer resigned. As a result of these actions and the implementation of a business reorganization plan, the Company incurred significant costs in the three and nine months ended July 31, 2007 to reduce headcount, relocate employees and consolidate sales and operational functions. In addition, certain intellectual property was impaired and written off in the nine months ended July 31, 2007, based on a determination made by the newly appointed management team.

The Company expects that additional restructuring costs will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007 and into the 2008 fiscal year. Such costs are expected to relate to further headcount reduction, asset write-offs and associated professional fees. The Company does not engage in reorganization and restructuring activities on a regular basis and therefore believes it is appropriate to exclude business reorganization and related restructuring expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures.

Stock-based compensation

Take-Two does not consider stock-based compensation charges when evaluating business performance and management does not contemplate stock-based compensation expense in their short and long-term operating plans. Furthermore, executive and management incentive compensation plans are generally based on measures that exclude the impact of stock-based compensation. The Company places greater emphasis on shareholder dilution than accounting charges when assessing the impact of stock-based equity awards.

Professional fees and expenses associated with the Company's stock options investigation and certain other unusual regulatory and legal matters

The Company incurred significant legal and other professional fees associated with both the investigation of stock option grants and the Company's responses to the New York County District Attorney's subpoenas. One of management's primary objectives is to bring conclusion to its regulatory matters. The Company continues to incur substantial expenses for professional fees and has accrued for legal settlements that are outside its ordinary course of business. As a result, the Company has excluded such expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures.

Non-cash charges related to asset write-offs

In 2006, impairment charges were recorded in connection with studio closings to write-off software development costs related to several titles in development. The impairment charges were based on an assessment of the future recoverability of capitalized software balances related to these titles and the determination that these titles were unlikely to recover capitalized costs given a change in sales expectations as a result of weaker market conditions, the closure and anticipated closure of development studios, uncertainty involved in the console transition and historical performance of the titles. This charge was recorded as a component of cost of goods sold.

In addition, impairment charges were incurred related to the write-off of certain trademarks, acquired intangibles, goodwill and other assets based on management's assessment of the future value of these assets including future business prospects and estimated cash flows to be derived from them. These charges were recorded in depreciation and amortization expense and impairment of long lived assets.

The Company believes these charges were each based on a unique set of business objectives and circumstances, and therefore believes it is appropriate to exclude these non-cash charges related to asset write-offs from its non-GAAP financial measures.

Severance, relocation and other

In connection with certain studio closures in 2006, the Company incurred severance and other costs. The Company also relocated its European headquarters to Geneva. The Company does not regularly close development studios and does not plan to move its European headquarters, and therefore believes it is appropriate to exclude these expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures. These costs were recorded in research and development and general and administrative expenses.

Charge for Tax Valuation Allowance

In July 2006, the Company recorded income tax expense for a valuation allowance, to reflect the uncertain utilization of deferred tax assets relating to net operating losses carried forward from prior periods and deductible temporary differences. This charge represents the income tax impact of the Company's aggregate net operating losses and temporary differences existing at the beginning of the period.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is a financial measure not calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Management uses EBITDA adjusted for business reorganization and related expenses ("Adjusted EBITDA"), among other measures, in evaluating the performance of the Company's business units. Adjusted EBITDA is also a significant component of the Company's incentive compensation plans. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income/(loss) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, Wii, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS and Game Boy® Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play; and distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo may be required (sold separately).

, ®, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. ® 2006 Nintendo.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 199X: This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them. The Company has no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary significantly from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of factors. These risks and uncertainties include the matters relating to the Special Committee's investigation of the Company's stock option grants and the restatement of our consolidated financial statements. The investigation and conclusions of the Special Committee may result in claims and proceedings relating to such matters, including previously disclosed shareholder and derivative litigation and actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or other governmental agencies and negative tax or other implications for the Company resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors. Other important factors are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006, and in the Company's Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended April 30, 2007 in the section entitled "Risk Factors."