Will GTA IV Be The Biggest Game Ever?

[Chili327]

Move over, Master Chief. There's a new blockbuster on the block, one that's armed, dangerous and ready to steal the spotlight once and for all.

 

According to industry insiders, Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV is poised to make Microsoft's Halo 3 look like a small-time crook when it hits stores on April 29th. Analysts expect the free-roaming crime drama to generate over $400 million in its opening week alone.

 

How big is that exactly? When it comes to video games, it's unrivaled, about a hundred million more than Halo 3 and closing in on the top film opening ever, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. The Johnny Depp swashbuckler pulled in $401 million in its opening six-day salvo.

 

And just like Jack Sparrow, retailers are bracing for the storm. Game stores like Gamestop and EB Games as well as major electronics chains Wal-Mart and Best Buy will be holding midnight madness events to cash in on the buzz,. For the truly dedicated, Game Crazy stores are hosting the Extreme GTA IV Experience at 10 locations nationwide. Show up and you might walk off with an exclusive GTA IV Xbox 360 faceplate, so keep the car running for a safe getaway.

 

The U.S. isn't the only country going gaga for GTA. Massive pre-sell orders have already pushed retailers in the UK to stop taking any more for fear of running out of product before launch day -- but interestingly, that might be Microsoft's fault. To ensure that consumers will opt for the Xbox 360 version over the PS3 version, the hardware manufacturer has stated that their marketing support for GTA IV will be just as big as the epic blitz for Halo 3.

 

Rockstar, meanwhile, considers this kind of hype old hat. The last Grand Theft Auto game, GTA: San Andreas, is still the best-selling video game in the United States, with over eight and a half million copies sold stateside and over 21 million worldwide.

 

However, the embattled company has recently had its hands full turning back a takeover bid from competing software giant Electronic Arts, who have aggressively pursued Rockstar's parent company, Take 2 Interactive. Following disappointing sales for their last few releases (including controversial action game Manhunt 2), the company is effectively pinning its future on the success of GTA IV.

 

[BigMoneyNacku]

Manhunt 2 is out? Damnit, now I gotta go buy another game.

[Xx-CHURCHY-xX]

...don't do it.

[BigMoneyNacku]

Everyone hated the first one, but I loved it. Total stupid gay slasher flick style nonsense. I loved it! ;D

[Xx-CHURCHY-xX]

Oh, no I loved part 1, but part 2 turned into total crap once they had to remove content to get down from "AO" rating