SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 2, 2008 (AFP) - Fresh from fending off a two billion dollar takeover bid, Take-Two Interactive said Thursday it will go it alone in the booming global videogame market.

US video game giant Electronic Arts in September ended a bitter seven-month battle to acquire the New York City-based game maker behind popular titles including 'Grand Theft Auto' and 'Bioshock.'

Take-Two began discussing potential tie-ups with other firms while keeping EA at bay but says a 'review of strategic alternatives' has concluded they can do better as an independent game maker.

'We are strongly positioned creatively, financially and competitively to benefit from the opportunities we see in the fastest growing segment of the entertainment industry,' Take-Two board chairman Strauss Zelnick said.

Since Take-Two first rejected EA's offer in February, the takeover target has released hot-selling 'Grand Theft Auto IV' and announced a deal to make a film based on its popular 'Bioshock' videogame.

Take-Two has been touting new titles slated for release in the coming year.

'Take-Two's recent performance demonstrates our potential to create value for the long term,' said the firm's chief executive, Ben Feder.

EA let pass an August 18 deadline on an offer to buy Take-Two stock at a price of 25.74 dollars per share, and the firms entered into 'confidential' discussions in which Take-Two is to argue that it is worth more money.

EA had been trying to get its hands on Grand Theft Auto, one of the most popular computer games on the market, but also among the most controversial because of its violent nature in which players score points with acts such as carjacking and killing prostitutes or police officers.