Analysts expect PS3 to benefit most from GTA IV

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Apr 25th 2008 at 3:59PM }

Oh, great, another Grand Theft Auto IV story. This one's about some analysts who believe the PlayStation 3 stands to gain the most following the release of Rockstar's go-anywhere, shoot-anybody romp. Though both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are certain to experience a surge in sales upon the game's April 29 release, Michael Pachter tells Reuters that Sony's system will be the winner in this battle.

He's joined by Edward Williams, from BMO Capital Markets, who suspects fans will want to keep their crime shenanigans in the family. "So many people who owned the PS2 went into PlayStation family because of 'GTA', he explains. "The release of 'GTA4' could expedite their decision to upgrade." That isn't to say that brand loyalty will overpower Microsoft's hand, as the manufacturer can still count on the Xbox 360's exclusive downloadable content and bigger install base.

IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon (who's no longer unstuck in time, it seems) notes, "Online is such a strong part of the game and Microsoft has done such a great job of developing the online community, so for people who own multiple consoles, they will buy it for the 360." So, Microsoft wins the software struggle, Sony overcomes its hardware hardships and Rockstar has a rollicking good laugh to the bank. Oh, and we get to play Grand Theft Auto IV. We're all winners here!

[Pictured: Europe's Grand Theft Auto IV PS3 bundle.]

Tags: Analysts, Grand-Theft-Auto, Grand-Theft-Auto-IV, GTA-4, GTA-IV, Rockstar

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 4:04PM

My bet is still going on... Already at $60 dlls.

Who is in? Just one more...

=p

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 4:06PM

Anf it may benefit the PS3 a little bit in hardware because the bundles...

But software, 360 version will sell more.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 25th 2008 4:11PM

I'll.....

no, no I won't join your bet. I will be buying GTAIV on PS3 though. Also, I'll be snagging my third import PS3 game in Battle Fantasia come May 29th. Gotta love region free....

This thread has been derailed by sheppy.

NATO_Duke @ Apr 25th 2008 4:14PM

Saw this and it made me think of you Fernando - http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1729/gtagqa4.jpg

el serpiente @ Apr 25th 2008 4:42PM

Hai. Itz me, Fernandoes. I can haz bets?

brandon_r87 : Brawl : 4897-5857-5091 @ Apr 25th 2008 4:46PM

I think the PS3 is definitely going to be the top winner here, though 360 is definitely going to be benefiting too. Joystiq had a poll a while ago that showed that 360 was getting the most buys. But this is a site where hardcore gamers are, so many probably knew the 360 would have the exclusive DLC. I think the casual gamer, who I think GTA appeals to (based on some friends who are casual gamers and GTA fans), will associate GTA with the PlayStation brand and pick up a PS3 to play it. That being said, they'd have to be pretty well-off casual gamers to get a PS3 for a single game, because most casual gamers I know are happy enough with simple, usually free PC games.

Micheal82 @ Apr 25th 2008 4:49PM

You are wrong Fernando it will sell the best on the Atari 2600.

Cal @ Apr 25th 2008 5:24PM

NATO it's missing the EA logo, and I wouldn't put it past EA to do that...

I wonder how you jack a trike in that, do you waggle?

GLC @ Apr 25th 2008 4:07PM

I think you meant Pilgrim (not Pidgeon).

Lonecow @ Apr 25th 2008 4:16PM

ah beat me to it. Would have been a cool reference if he had gotten it right.

brandon_r87 : Brawl : 4897-5857-5091 @ Apr 25th 2008 4:39PM

Yeah, you're right, but still everytime I see Billy Pidgeon I think the same thing, so I still enjoyed it.

Ludwig Kietzmann @ Apr 25th 2008 5:45PM

I can't change the man's name just for the joke! Also, you've gotta click the link for it to make sense. :)

mietha CAG @ Apr 25th 2008 4:07PM

Honestly, I considered buying this on the Ps3, even though I have over 100 360 titles and a grand total of 5 PS3 ones. It is one of the few games that controls better with the dualshock over the 360 controller. The only reason I didn't is SO many multiplatform games have had severe problems on the PS3 that they didn't have on the 360, and I didn't want to wait until the reviews came out to get it. Probably should have taken the chance and went ahead with the PS3 version, but oh well.

Markez @ Apr 25th 2008 4:11PM

Holy 360 inve$tment batman

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 4:15PM

Better controls?

The 360 triggers are way better and the analog placement and shape is better too.

Plus, rumble, without buying another controller.

cc123 @ Apr 25th 2008 4:23PM

"Plus, rumble, without buying another controller."

Why do you bring this up all the fucking time?

Didn't you JUST tell us in the Mario Kart thread that you would be using the Wavebird! Is your Wii some super duper special edition that came with the Wavebird in the box?

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 4:26PM

cc123

I have 4 Wavebirds since like 5 years ago.

Cesaria (SSBB: 3136-6466-5083) @ Apr 25th 2008 4:27PM

I really hate the placement of the left analog stick on all PS controllers. It feels so...unnatural.

cc123 @ Apr 25th 2008 4:28PM

Regardless it didn't come with the system.

To control Mario Kart in the best way possible you have to use a controller that doesn't come with the system itself.

So shut the fuck up you hypocrite.

Trev @ Apr 25th 2008 4:34PM

"To control Mario Kart in the best way possible you have to use a controller that doesn't come with the system itself."

A controller that doesn't come with the system AND doesn't have rumble.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 4:35PM

cc123

The best controls for Mario Kart Wii are the Remote + Nunchuck. Even Joystiq made a report.

Why is the best control? Because it gives you all the analog stick of the Gamecube controller, plus, it has digital button for powerslides instead of analog triggers on the Gamecube. And most important, with the Gamecube you need to press the d-pad to do the air tricks, with the remote + nunchuck you just waggle the remote in the air.

I will use the Gamecube controller because my friends and wife are going to use the Wii Wheel... but like I said before, I will use the Wheel until I master it.

el serpiente @ Apr 25th 2008 4:44PM

Fernando, this is a thread about grown-up games. The thread about your kiddie racer is a few doors down. Please take your sippy cup and go there.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 4:46PM

el serpiente

Oh yes, I forgot... grown ups only play M games.

Bellerophon @ Apr 25th 2008 4:47PM

I tried mastering the Wii Wheel, until my daughter said I looked silly. So then I asked my wife... she said I looked like a twat.

So now the wheel is under my other wheel, my car wheel that is.

cc123 @ Apr 25th 2008 4:48PM

Yeah, Joystiq also pulled the best lap times using the GCN controller for karts.

So again the best controller for the game doesn't come in the box and you're here complaining about "rumble out of the box".

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 25th 2008 4:49PM

Yeah Fernando, this thread is for 13 year-olds who play GTA to look tough and grown up!

P.S. 3:15 on the playground, I'm gonna beat you up!

P.P.S. My daddy can beat up your daddy.

el serpiente @ Apr 25th 2008 5:00PM

You too, junior. Scram!

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:05PM

NA UH my big brother lets me play GTA, so you can't call me junior no more.

Go play Mario Kart you cry baby pee pee pants!

NATO_Duke @ Apr 25th 2008 5:39PM

Beyond the fighting, he had said that this game controls better with the DS controller rather than the 360 one - he didn't say the DS was a better controler.

There is a difference (one that if noticed would have skipped all the bs commentary).

Brucie B @ Apr 25th 2008 7:41PM

LOL @ Bellerophon

mietha CAG, How is the PS3 controller better Or How does it control better? /Fail
(D-Pad does not matter in this game)

Sorry but 360 is FAR Superior to the ps3 controller.

catfish24 @ Apr 25th 2008 10:28PM

lol at Brucie B turning his own opinions into facts. The bottom line is that the guy prefers the DS 3 better than the 360 controller in this situation. I myself prefer the DS 3 design when compared to the 360 controller. It's just a personal preference. Saying one is better than the other and passing it off as a fact is just an idiotic thing to do.

Ted @ Apr 26th 2008 6:11AM

Token PC gamer says: mouse and keyboard ftw!

Brucie B @ Apr 26th 2008 8:29AM

catfish24, Sorry Bud it's all facts here!
Anyway all I do on any game with the PS3 controller is Hi Five my thumbs. If they'd offset the anolog it could be a Great controller,(maybe) Or redesign that Ancient thing. Either way till then the 360 controller will remain the WINNER!!!

Fact - Real Gamers perfer a 360 controller
www.getyourfactsstraight.com

rebirthofcaos @ Apr 25th 2008 4:11PM

I think that the ps3 will benefit more than the x-360. And also I think that the X-360 will benefit from the rrod........... XD

NATO_Duke @ Apr 25th 2008 4:16PM

Oh har di har har!

Get some new material.

Mystic @ Apr 25th 2008 4:08PM

Benefit from getting a good dusting I assume? Too bad mine will have to wait to get dusted off because I'm getting GTAIV for the 360. Maybe MGS4 will get you clean PS3.

driven2sin @ Apr 25th 2008 4:09PM

so this article says all these sony fanboys have been hiding out... laying low and now is the time to strike? on an non-exclusive? the one without DLC?

Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 25th 2008 4:17PM

They're not exactly hiding. They're the ones still buying PS2s in droves.

born2kill @ Apr 25th 2008 4:09PM

i love the PS brand however the downloadable content is definitely going to make this even, if not give the advantage to the 360.

Zoesch @ Apr 25th 2008 4:40PM

You realize that the majority of the buying public doesn't know/doesn't care about DLC?

Ordeith @ Apr 25th 2008 4:55PM

Just look at how much the GT5 demo sold.

Sony has stupid all sewn up.

born2kill @ Apr 25th 2008 5:09PM

I'm not saying that people are dying for DLC, but given an otherwise identical game, the consumer with half a brain is going to choose the product that has more value; which in this case appears to be the 360 version because it has the potential for a longer, deeper experience.

Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:27PM

"Sony has stupid all sewn up."

Hah... you wish. When games like Mario Party 8 and Carnival Games top the software charts it's pretty clear that Nintendo has more than their own share of stupid in their own camp.

Markez @ Apr 25th 2008 8:16PM

Hah you wish. Hilarious. I didn't know it was a point of ridicule that a company can push a ridiculous amount of a single software title. HOW PATHETIC OF THEM. Sorry that not all best selling games are the ones you dbags buy. Vidikron, 'value' is a subjective term, and we're talking about a 'sales' chart.

"Heh schweet, so high technical, only games that allow me to pretend to be a space marine or a super agent killing aliens are games that deserve to be respected or mentioned on a sales chart, heh, schweet, because I am a hardcore gamer, schweet"

If Sony sold a GT5 demo well, then hell, kudos to them, who cares? Good job for a company to put out Carnival Games and reap the profits for it. Golly gee, darn this isn't a game that directly appeals to me. Oh well. Please don't bring up any stupid 'ruining the industry' argument, anybody, please.