Take-Two/Ken Levine Contract Talks Continue

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Written by BuckGB on July 7th, 2008

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Renegotiations between Take-Two and Levine are at a delicate stage, but sources close to the talks said the deal would give Levine more creative control over his projects as well as the ability to develop new franchises.

Those concessions are meant to atone for the fact that Levine's salary and bonus won't rise to the level of the two creators of "Grand Theft Auto" at Rockstar Games.

"Levine delivered a big hit for Take-Two and they want to give him a good deal going forward," said one source. "But 'BioShock' isn't 'Grand Theft Auto.' It's not even in the same universe."

While "BioShock," which Universal Pictures plans to adapt into a movie, has sold upward of 2.2 million units, the latest installment of "GTA" has sold nearly four times that amount in less than three months.

One source said Levine's new contract could include the potential to earn points - much like actors do with movies - based on how much business the next installment of "BioShock" and any other games that he develops produce.

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