HASBRO BUYS MICROPROSE!!
(12.Aug) Yes, you read right! Hasbro is buying Microprose. We copy from UGO's GameNews-WIRE:

Hasbro announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MicroProse, Inc. The purchase price is $6.00 per common share of MicroProse, payable in cash. The total value of the transaction is approximately $70 million, including assumed debt and redeemable preferred stock. Closing is expected in September of 1998.

"This acquisition is an incredible opportunity to combine the complementary talents of Hasbro Interactive and MicroProse," said Alan G. Hassenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Hasbro, Inc. "MicroProse brings us great people, especially in research and development, and a strong international operation, which is very important to us as we continue to aggressively pursue the international marketplace."

"The acquisition of MicroProse will significantly enhance Hasbro Interactive in three key strategic growth areas: brands and content, R&D assets, and European distribution," noted Tom Dusenberry, President of Hasbro Interactive, Inc. "We will now compete in virtually all major PC game categories. We also look forward to expanding many of MicroProse's games to multiple hardware platforms."

So, what's next for Hasbro? And what does this mean for Civilization? Until we have some answers read the full press release, and news stories on CGO(our thanks to Dan Abbott) and CNNfn. We also have a photo of the deal :) as you can see above...

(13.Aug) Gamespot has a report about the deal, with more info than simply the press release.

(14.Aug) From UGO's GameNews-WIRE: Hasbro announced today that New HIAC Corp., its wholly owned subsidiary, has commenced a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of MicroProse, Inc. at a price of $6.00 per share. The offer is being made pursuant to the previously announced merger agreement among New HIAC Corp., Hasbro, Inc. and MicroProse, Inc. The offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the tender of at least 50.1 percent of the shares of common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis and the expiration or earlier termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Also Gamecenter posted a news report about the deal, with some new info.