No car theft until 2008 – GTA IV pushed out to Q2 2008

Mike Bantick
Friday, 03 August 2007 06:53

Your IT - Entertainment

The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV has been delayed Publisher Take-Two has disappointed salivating fans of the grand Theft Auto franchise by announcing the delay of GTA IV from the original October target.

Looks like it will slip until the second quarter of 2008.

Not only fans will be disappointed, but also console manufactures Microsoft and Sony, GTA IV was to be a flagship title going into the crucial holiday period.  A number of Xbox 360 and PS3 sales would have already been tucked away as sold along with GTA IV.

Microsoft in particular is banking heavily on exclusive GTA IV conten t for the Xbox 360 as a way of differentiating itself from the Sony console.

Taking to Gamasutra Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick pegged the delay on its multi-platform release, saying, "Certain elements of development proved to be more time-intensive than expected, especially given the commitment for a simultaneous release on two very different platforms.”

Zelnick added that “perfecting the game is vital” and that the company is working to “make sure that Grand Theft Auto IV is a groundbreaking gaming experience that takes maximum advantage of next generation technology.”

Take-Two CEO Ben Feder also told Gamasutra, the company was "very disappointed" that the company's fiscal 2007 guidance would have to be reduced after previous reaffirmation, but said that "other than a matter of timing, the movement of Grand Theft Auto IV does not compromise Take-Two in any way."