UK retailers strain under glut of GTAIV preorders

by Scott Jon Siegel { Apr 8th 2008 at 4:00PM }

UK gamers who didn't pre-order Grand Theft Auto IV might have a hard time getting their hands on the title when it's released April 29. MCV reports that major retailers across the UK are struggling to keep up with early demand for Rockstar North's upcoming game, and anticipate shortages around the time of release.

A representative from UK retailer Play.com states that GTAIV is already the best-selling title on PS3, according to their records, but hopes to have enough copies in stock on launch day to accommodate customers who didn't pre-order. GAME, meanwhile, is already anticipating shortages, with a message on their website alerting customers that pre-ordered any later than April 6 that they may not receive the title on launch day. Fearing a similar shortage, Gamestation has stopped taking pre-orders altogether. We're not entirely sure, but we think Rockstar may be on to something with this "Grand Theft Auto" business.

Tags: grand-theft-auto, grand-theft-auto-iv, gta, gtaiv, rockstar, take-two, uk

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Shagittarius @ Apr 8th 2008 4:05PM

Methinks rockstar is aware of the demand for their product. I mean they only stake their entire company on it.

bigsofty @ Apr 8th 2008 4:28PM

This has gotta be a loadacrap, EVERYONE I know is well sick of this series... ?

Bleu @ Apr 8th 2008 4:50PM

GTA4 alone will bring take two out their hump and then they will continue to drop the classics and then you will see take two rise to the top once again. Long Live Take Two.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 8th 2008 5:13PM

@bigsofty

Last time I checked, your imaginary friends don't represent the entire population.

Geist @ Apr 8th 2008 4:07PM

GTAIV is one of those games that I'd like to play, but I don't really have any overcoming urge to play it now. One of those titles that I'd consider picking up later, when I've run out of other titles to play. I like the series, but I dunno, just not pulling at the leash for it.

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 8th 2008 4:20PM

I know what you mean, I figure my money will go to Mario Kart that week and maybe a rental on GTAIV, but overall I'm not itching to play it like some other games.

NATO_Duke @ Apr 8th 2008 4:41PM

I'm with ya here. Though its a game I will play, I'm not freaking out about it.

Vcize @ Apr 8th 2008 5:16PM

That sounds exactly like my feelings for Mario Kart. Once again that damned Wii manages to leave onnnneeee more title on the horizon to keep me from selling mine, which I will inevitably put a few minutes into and get bored of.

Korova @ Apr 8th 2008 6:25PM

But when you get it later, everyone online will rock so hard, you wont be able to enjoy it. That's what happened to me with Gears and is about to happen to me with COD4.

Oh, the midcore misery.

So I think I might have to get on te GTA elevator on the ground floor to keep myself from getting skwushed [sic]

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 8th 2008 4:09PM

Remember when the first trailer was released and it killed the internetz? I do.

Remember the Internetz...

FrankTheCrank @ Apr 8th 2008 4:12PM

Will have to hold judgment till I playz teh GTA.

Sony's got to be loving this situation. They could surpass Microsoft in the UK this year. With titles like GTAIV, GT5P and MGS4, things are looking real good.

Poisoned Al @ Apr 8th 2008 4:18PM

Too bad you can not only get GTA4 on the 360, but DLC later on. Oh and if you are going to pay real money for a glorified demo, you need to have the stupid beaten out of you!

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 8th 2008 4:20PM

When do FFXIII, Lair 2, LBP, Killzone 2, Resistance 2, and Motorstorm 2 come out?

Hmm that's a mighty fine list if I do say so myself...well maybe not Lair :P

Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 8th 2008 4:26PM

MORTAL LIST WARS!!!

xFenixKnightx @ Apr 8th 2008 4:28PM

"you need to have the stupid beaten out of you!"

That was funny. =)

Max @ Apr 8th 2008 4:47PM

so, you paid for it twice? Just so you didn't have to wait?

samfish @ Apr 8th 2008 4:53PM

"When do
'FFXIII',
-2009, and on 360, too!

'Lair 2,'
-Right around the time Jesus comes back.

'LBP,'
-Fall...probably

'Killzone 2,'
-Winter

'Resistance 2,' and
-Sometime in 2009

'Motorstorm 2'
-Who cares?

come out?"

Thems be my predictions. SUCK It, Pachter!

Vcize @ Apr 8th 2008 5:25PM

What kind of game deprived fool is looking forward to Lair 2 or KZ2? Isn't that kind of like saying "hay guyz i cant waite for superman 64 2 to come out its gonna be awsum!!!"?

Take your pick of any system, and it has 100 games that will be superior to the sequels to those steaming piles. I mean, both originals were hyped up games that ended up being pieces of crap, why the hell do you expect any better out of the sequel?

When has there EVER been a hyped up game that fell flat on its face and then came back with a great sequel? I'm sure someone can dig one up somewhere, but I certainly can't think of one.

This is not meant to add any fuel to the fire in the console battle since I have all three, and this applies to hyped up sequels to hyped up games that ended up being sh*ty on any console, but these two are prime examples of it. And Motorstorm 2 and RFOM 2? C'mon, if you want to make a case how about you bring up, I dunno, freaking METAL GEAR SOLID 4 instead of four sequels to mediocre and/or P.O.S. games?

Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 8th 2008 5:55PM

@Vcize

I'm actually looking forward to both KZ2 and Motorstorm 2. No guarantee they'll be any good of course, but that's true with most games. And Motorstorm was an excellent game, if somewhat lacking in content at launch.

FrankTheCrank @ Apr 8th 2008 9:09PM

poisoned al,

What are you talking about? Dude...that first sentence you wrote made absolutely no frigging sense. And you think I need the stupid beaten out of me? There's plenty of stupid right there where your sitting.

My comments were in regard to the performance of the PS3 in the UK. They had a shitload of preorders for GT5P, the game you say is a "demo". And now their running into the same situation with GTAIV.

The 360 is going to get trounced this year in Europe. Japan has been a disaster for them and their slowly losing Europe. All they have is the US, and guess what, Nintendo just passed them. Doh, oh noz...

Poisoned Al @ Apr 9th 2008 6:47AM

GTA4 will push PS3's becuase a lot of people still think it's still a Playstation game. 360 sales will slow down becuase by now the number of people who wanted one have got one. Still, 360's will still be pushed as a cheaper way to play GTA4 and will move units.

This information went into your fuck-tard, fanboy brain and came out as "OMG! TEH PLAYSTATION WIL TROUNCGE TEH 360!!!!1111"

Oh and anyway you try to spin it, Prologue is a demo. If you buy Prologue and then get the full GT5, you'll be paying for the same shit twice. Well fucking done Einstein! You gave a huge, soulless, multinational company even more of your money! And so what if people have pre-ordered it? It'll be the same wastes of cum that buy EA sports titles every year.

FrankTheCrank @ Apr 9th 2008 9:59AM

Poisoned Al,

I won't argue with you about EA and the throngs of zombies who buy into Madden year after year. I've only bought 1 Madden in the past 10 years. And it was substantially discounted.

But being that GT5P has 6 full tracks and somewhere of 72 cars, I would call it a bit more than just a demo. I've never had a demo with so many tracks and vehicles. But if you want to compare it with GT5, which will be out next year, then yes, it's a scaled down version of that game. At a scaled down price. Only $40. Their not charging anyone full price.

Now going back to my original point, Microsoft, another multinational company, is going to have a rough year...After XMAS 2008 it will look like this; Nintendo #1, Sony #2 and Microsoft #3.

Microsoft screwed up again. They are so intent on getting the hardcore guys that they alienate the mass market. And once you sell through to the hardcore guys, that's it, your potential so sell more units has been reached. It's XBOX1 all over again.

Curtis the Claw: Brawl Code 1075-0441-3284 @ Apr 8th 2008 4:18PM

Honestly I think preordering is the dumbest thing. I remember when Halo 3 came out there was like a huge line at my local gamestop at midnight. There must have been at least 300 people in line. I went over to the walmart next door, grabbed the game, checked out and went home and started playing long before anyone past the first 10 people in the gamestop line.

I can't think of any game I've ever wanted that I haven't been able to find on launch day.

xFenixKnightx @ Apr 8th 2008 4:24PM

I usually walk into my local GameCrazy on game launch days and pick them right up. No pre-order. Some people act like if Gamestop is the ONLY place to buy videogames. Sheesh!

Noshino @ Apr 8th 2008 4:34PM

well, I do agree with you, but for example, it took me 2 weeks before I was able to get SOCOM FTB...and I looked through most stores from Miami Beach up to Deerfield Beach...first time the thought of pre-ordering being beneficial crossed my mind

I still don't know how to hell that game was out of stock tho...oh, Crush was also out of stock for a few weeks, but that was Sega's fault

Scott @ Apr 8th 2008 4:37PM

That's so true. I pre-ordered Halo 2 from EBWorld (back then) and was waiting in line for an hour (at 11pm or so) with seemingly no movement and at least 200 people ahead of me - and I had paid in full already. So, I just left and went down the street to whatever the successor is to FuncoLand and bought it with no line.

I think there are a lot of gamers who think that if you're "hardcore," you don't buy games from WalMart or other non-dedicated game stores. I think they also believe that it's cool to say they've pre-ordered something - despite the fact that there will be more than enough copies at that exact same store.

There's this whole "gamer cred" thing that all the rage with the kids.

Maxwell Ash @ Apr 8th 2008 4:49PM

Ok, I'll try again....

So you paid for it twice? So you didn't have to queue?

Mr Khan @ Apr 8th 2008 4:59PM

A good launch event is more of a social thing than anything else, whether it be this, Halo 3, the Wii, or Brawl

its as much about havin' fun with fellow fans than actually getting the game

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 8th 2008 5:08PM

I preorder when the bonus is good or when I want to get a collectors edition and don't want to be there as the store opens. I live in a college town...

BigD145 @ Apr 8th 2008 5:36PM

Preordering forces you to stick to one store. If some other store gets copies before your store does, tough luck. The company has already spent your money and the best deal you'll get is a credit, ie you're stuck with that one store. It's all about brand loyalty.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 8th 2008 5:36PM

I do it mostly for social reasons, or just to say I did.

I waited in line for 2hrs for Halo 3 and it was pretty fun. Met a lot of good people.

Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 8th 2008 5:58PM

I can't remember that last time a game launched that actually sold out in all the local stores on launch day. So I typically don't worry about it unless there's some sort of decent bonus attached to the pre-order.

Scott @ Apr 8th 2008 6:52PM

"Ok, I'll try again....

So you paid for it twice? So you didn't have to queue?"

Yes, I paid for it twice. But nearly every video game retailer in the world allows you to return unopened games for a full refund, as was the case with EBWorld back then (and Gamestop now still). So, when it was convenient for me a week later, I stopped in and "returned" my copy from EBWorld without even picking it up.

A pre-order is nothing different than a purchase - unless there was some pre-order gift. But even in those cases I hear most stores don't even care.

Stoo @ Apr 8th 2008 8:24PM

I pre-order so the game gets stuck through my letter box the day before its in the shops, it doesn't cost anything to pre-order and money is only debited when the game is shipped.
Pre-ordering in store doesn't cost anything either so on the off chance the game does sell out at least you have your copy reserved.

PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 9th 2008 10:44AM

well where i live i basically have to preorder if i want a game or console on launch day. i buy my games in a small college town. we have 2 Gamestops (1 a converted EBGames) and a GameCrazy. since the stores are so small, the game specific stores only get enough copies of the games to fill the preorders (unless its a mega huge game) and at the WalMarts and Targets and stuff, they never put the damn games up and nobody ever knows what im talking about when i ask for a new release game. so i usually just go to GameCrazy and put down $5-$10 just so i know i wont have to worry about a run around. it could just be my bad luck, but either way, preordering always seems like the best way to go for me personally.

Cluckyx @ Apr 8th 2008 4:29PM

God Dammit. I never actually got round to reserving a copy. Thank god I just imported brawl, hopefully that will keep me going until GTA it a little less in demand

tlozwarlock @ Apr 8th 2008 4:40PM

Those crazy Britons! Always preordering things. God Bless Best Buy and its penchant for overstocking.

NATO_Duke @ Apr 8th 2008 4:53PM

Oh, I think he has blessed them.

"The company reported earnings of $1.4 billion in the 53-week period [2007], an increase of 21 percent compared with earnings of $1.1 billion in fiscal 2006."

Chameleon @ Apr 9th 2008 10:04AM

just reserved the spec edition from bb, my first pre-order ever actually ....

paul @ Apr 8th 2008 4:41PM

does that include us irish people good thing i preordered mine two weeks ago

Alex @ Apr 8th 2008 4:44PM

"Play.com states that GTAIV is already the best-selling title on PS3". That should be changed that to: "Play.com states that GTAIV is the *only* selling title on PS3"

Anyway, I havn't preordered it. It's just GTA 3/VC/SA recycled with better graphics.

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 8th 2008 4:51PM

Someone needs to do some research on the game. You're making it sound like it's a nintendo franchise.

Mr Khan @ Apr 8th 2008 5:00PM

That's some high praise, tmcair

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 8th 2008 5:06PM

Where does this myth of PS3 games not selling come from? Jesus H Crispy, you a dumb bastard. I would suggest you swallow your gun but it conflicts with one of my primal ideals of "Do not arm the stupid." So instead I'd suggest you tie a leg to a helicopter propellor....

samfish @ Apr 8th 2008 5:14PM

Yeah, PS3 games sell.
...just not 3rd party games.

Ah HA! Now the rubberband's on the other claw!

Vcize @ Apr 8th 2008 5:30PM

Uncharted is 3rd party, no?

I'm actually asking here, I don't know the answer.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 8th 2008 5:33PM

*Assassin's Creed and COD4 stare at each other while collecting dust on a shelf*

COD4: Shame we ain't selling....
Assasin's Creed: Know what would be nice? If we broke 2 million sales on PS3?
COD4: Yeah, that was nice.... WOULD BE... WOULD BE.... damnit...