Don't look so surprised

UPDATE: It's now been confirmed that SEGA — or rather a part of the company called Sega Dream Corporation — has indeed bought Atlus. It's anticipated that the deal will be wrapped up by 1st November, and the following was in the press release.

The Company believes that transfer of Index's operations to Sega will create synergies, on the grounds that the deal will enable the Company to:

(1) gain access to prominent IPs in the home video game software, through which the Company can expect to achieve steady flows of revenue;
(2) expect further facilitation of revenue growth for the PC Online Game Business and Content Business for Smart Devices operated by Sega and Sega Networks Co., Ltd. by exploiting acquired prominent IPs and
(3) maximize the value of acquired IPs by effectively deploying them in the Pachislot and Pachinko Machines segment, Amusement Machine Sales and Amusement Center Operations segments.


ORIGINAL STORY

It's being reported that Sega Sammy has purchased Index — the troubled parent company of video game firm Atlus — for 14 Billion Yen (around $141 million).

Index was declared bankrupt not long ago and put up for sale following allegations of fraud, and both Sega and Nintendo were mooted as possible buyers.

According to Nikkei and Bloomberg, Index’s bankruptcy advisers are looking to finalise the deal with Sega Corp. — a unit of Sega Sammy — by early November. Around 20 other interested parties were involved in the auction.

However, the story has a twist — Sega is now apparently denying the purchase is taking place:

https://twitter.com/RyougaSaotome/statuses/380204499891015680

We'll no doubt hear more about this as the days roll by, but what do you think about Sega owning Atlus? Were you hoping that Nintendo would buy the company? Share your thoughts below.

[source nikkei.com, via api.viglink.com, gonintendo.com]