"Microsoft Buying Take-Two" The New "Microsoft Buying Sega"

Oh, you knew this was going to happen: as soon as Take Two announces that they're pondering the sale of the company, the rumors start to circulate that they'll get bought out by Microsoft:

Today word has reached us through the grapevine by means of an inside source at Rockstar Vancouver, that "the buzz" in the hallways is that
Microsoft might have put in a bid or expressed interest in purchasing the ailing publisher/developer. While this is a mere rumor, albeit from a reliable source, it is to be taken with a grain of salt. Just imagine the ramifications...

My thoughts? Remember back when Microsoft was going to throw all their money around and buy up every Japanese developer from Sega to Square Enix? It didn't happen then, and that was when they were in full-on Throw Money Down A Hole mode.

These days, they're in a much better situation. Xbox 360 is getting Grand Theft Auto IV day and date with PS3. Are the rewards for exclusivity worth the billions of dollars they'd have to pay for Take Two -- not to mention the aggravation of restructuring the company, dealing with the stock issues, and fighting Congress and Jack Thompson in court?

Microsoft Interested in Buying Take Two? [Worth Playing]