Video game maker Electronic Arts Inc. said Thursday that it has launched a hostile $2 billion tender offer for rival Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the publisher of "Grand Theft Auto" and other video games.

The move takes the offer directly to Take-Two's shareholders after Take-Two rejected the offer late last month.

At the time, Take Two had said it was open to talks with Electronic Arts but wanted to wait until April 30, the day after the latest version of Grand Theft Auto hits store shelves.

The $26 per share cash tender offer from an Electronic Arts' subsidiary represents a 4 percent premium to Take-Two's closing stock price of $24.91 on Wednesday and a 64 percent premium to the company's Feb. 15 closing stock price, which was the last trading day prior to Electronic Arts' revised offer.

The tender offer, which is not contingent on financing, is set to expire at midnight on April 11, unless extended. Take-Two's annual shareholders' meeting is expected to take place on April 10.

Take-Two shares rose 53 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $25.44 in midday traduing, while Electronic Arts shares dropped 69 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $46.54.