Like many analysts watching the videogame sector, I am quite puzzled that Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO: sentiment, chart, options) has yet to release any sales figures from the recent release of its flagship product Grand Theft Auto IV. The silence is not all that encouraging for those who would like to see TTWO fend off the advances of Electronic Arts (ERTS: sentiment, chart, options) , as the company has pinned its hopes of independence on GTA sales. You would think that TTWO would be releasing sales figures daily following the hype surrounding the release. Such is not the case however, and some analysts are beginning to wonder what is left to keep ERTS from gobbling up TTWO.

According to Silicon Alley Insider, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter said via email: "No sales numbers yet, again baffling ... One would think Take-Two wants to brag, but apparently that's not the case." TTWO doesn't "need to see good numbers out of GTA -- it needs to see fantastic numbers," says SAI, "Or else it's going to have a very hard time defending its decision to turn down Electronic Arts' $2-billion offer."

Along those lines, Goldman Sachs' analyst Mark Wienkes was cited on SAI as saying that he expects ERTS to acquire TTWO in the $27- to $28-per-share range, up about 5% to 9% from the current offer of $25.74 per share.

For the sake of TTWO shares, let's hope the company doesn't pull a Jerry Yang.