It’s unclear when next-generation consoles from Microsoft and Sony will arrive, but speculation suggests that 2013 will see the release of either the Xbox 720, PS4 or possibly both. If they do launch in 2013, they’ll do so on the heels of some major game releases leading into the fall. Namely Rockstar’s GTA 5, which was recently announced for a September release date.
What does this mean for Rockstar’s open-world title? Industry analysts have begun guessing as to what types of impact this will make on GTA 5, and it could affect the game’s downloadable content schedule as install bases for the new hardware grows.
Doug Creutz of Cowen and Company recently gave his thoughts on GTA 5 and how the Xbox 720 and PS4 could have an impact on the game.
“We think the closer proximity of GTA V to the next cycle could, at the margin, impact lifetime sales of the title, though we believe that a title of GTA’s stature will still be a major seller regardless,” Creutz said in a recent interview.
“We think there also could be some impact on the legs of likely GTA V downloadable content as the next-gen installed base increases through 2014. However, we suspect Take-Two may have plans to eventually publish GTA V on the next set of consoles in some form to offset this.”
Would you buy a next gen GTA 5 after purchasing it for either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3? If Cruetz is right, Take Two might be banking on the fact that you will. Let us know in the comments section below.
