A lot of rumor and speculation has been flying around the announcement of the delay of Grand Theft Auto 4 to 2008. While we can’t offer any comments as to why the game was delayed, it is interesting to examine which players are affected the most by it.
Microsoft put in a lot of money, and part of the deal with Take2 was a same day release on both consoles, and that two relatively similar versions. At the time of negotiations, it seemed like a worthwhile investment to strip Sony of the exclusive of its most successful franchise on the PS2. Now it looks like Sony was the smarter one in the matter. They didn’t officially pay anything, and will still have a same day release. This is sure to frustrate Microsoft because it would have benefited a lot more from an earlier launch. Yet, Sony could have benefited just as much (as a way to boost console sales).
Sony could have used the console sales boost before Christmas, but will still enjoy a boost in the quiet period after Christmas. If timed with other high-impact game releases, it could really help drive PS3 sales.
For Take2, the game will both benefit from a larger user base, and will drive console sales on both systems massively. In the end, the delay will mostly benefit Take2. The Christmas surge will ensure a big user base coupled with reduced competition from other titles (the next three months feature games like Bioshock, Heavenly Sword, Mass Effect, Halo 3, Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty 4 to compete against). Take2 did an excellent job of playing both sides against each other, extracting as much money from the situation as possible ($50 million from Microsoft).
The main loser is of course the consumer, who will have to wait just a bit longer. At least the players can be comforted by the fact that whichever platform they choose, they will get the same experience (save for Microsoft’s exclusive extra mission packs), and the same high graphical quality.
Don’t feel obliged to make a blog post if you don’t have anything noteworthy to talk about in the future.
I think your benefit regarding Tale2 and the larger install base is insignificant amyway.
GTA games have always had a huge sale, everyone with a console would probably buy it- and those buying a console for the next 5 months will most certainly consider it as their first full priced purchase.
There isn’t much benefit except that the marketing campaign can be a bit more concentrated which has been shown to be more effective in studies.
Left by Spence on August 17th, 2007