Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008
According to a recent GameSpot news story, Grand Theft Auto IV could have the biggest opening week in video game history, raking in approximately $400 million dollars.
And if you think about it, GTA IV should have the biggest opening yet, since it'll debut on both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Most big, must-have games are system exclusives (Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, God of War, Gran Turismo, Zelda, Mario). Even the Grand Theft Auto series historically launched exclusively on PlayStation systems, whether it was the PS2 or PSP.
But that's over now, and Grand Theft Auto IV is not only launching on two platforms, but it's also one of the only games that is so notorious and mainstream that practically everyone will buy it. After this, you might even think Take 2 would be able to turn around and buy EA.
But wait, isn't there another franchise with ultra-powerful name recognition that's notorious for launching on every single video game system, and even some watches? One that's been hitting every single year since the early nineties? Oh that's right, Madden. In the time it has taken Rockstar to produce six Grand Theft Auto games, EA has released over 55 Madden titles. No wonder they're looking at the GTA publisher the way John Madden looks at a loose-meat sandwhich.
And if you think about it, GTA IV should have the biggest opening yet, since it'll debut on both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Most big, must-have games are system exclusives (Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, God of War, Gran Turismo, Zelda, Mario). Even the Grand Theft Auto series historically launched exclusively on PlayStation systems, whether it was the PS2 or PSP.
But that's over now, and Grand Theft Auto IV is not only launching on two platforms, but it's also one of the only games that is so notorious and mainstream that practically everyone will buy it. After this, you might even think Take 2 would be able to turn around and buy EA.
But wait, isn't there another franchise with ultra-powerful name recognition that's notorious for launching on every single video game system, and even some watches? One that's been hitting every single year since the early nineties? Oh that's right, Madden. In the time it has taken Rockstar to produce six Grand Theft Auto games, EA has released over 55 Madden titles. No wonder they're looking at the GTA publisher the way John Madden looks at a loose-meat sandwhich.
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Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:23 pm PT
haha, amazing use of the phrase "loose meat" 
- Yea it really does put it in perspective, that sort of money is insane, and as you said GTA is a title that will sell across the board. There are very few gamers and "regular people" with a next gen console that wont be buying it the days after its release.
- Yea it really does put it in perspective, that sort of money is insane, and as you said GTA is a title that will sell across the board. There are very few gamers and "regular people" with a next gen console that wont be buying it the days after its release.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 1:19 pm PT
I once saw a marketing presentation at this or that press event where we were informed that there are something like 8 million "hardcore" gamers in the US (hardcore in this case meaning people who regularly buy video games, you and I would call them "normal").
On the other hand, there are like 60 million casual gamers. Now, a chunk of this number is taken up by old women playing bejeweled on their Compaqs, but the rest of these folks are dudes who own Madden. In the last seven years, GTA has established itself as the "other game" these Madden men own, but don't let the belabor the fact that for over a decade, EA has had access to a demographic other companies only see on pie charts.
On the other hand, there are like 60 million casual gamers. Now, a chunk of this number is taken up by old women playing bejeweled on their Compaqs, but the rest of these folks are dudes who own Madden. In the last seven years, GTA has established itself as the "other game" these Madden men own, but don't let the belabor the fact that for over a decade, EA has had access to a demographic other companies only see on pie charts.
Posted Apr 16, 2008 2:20 pm PT
Oh geez, that scares me... Imagine 55 GTA games being released in the same time frame, unlocking hard content with real money, new editions with just minor graphical touches.
*shudder
*shudder
Posted Apr 16, 2008 2:42 pm PT
Quantity != Quality
Posted Apr 18, 2008 2:30 am PT
I can't wait for GTA4 and I'm glad they are not releasing a new GTA every year. It assures me that they are taking their time to come out with a quality title.
Posted Apr 21, 2008 6:59 am PT
Really... 55 Madden games from PS2 to date
.... Wow ...
and people keep on buying !
but the GTA series isn't doing too badly as it's racked up 9 games over it's lifespan ... personally i think that's plenty
.... Wow ...
and people keep on buying !
but the GTA series isn't doing too badly as it's racked up 9 games over it's lifespan ... personally i think that's plenty
Posted Apr 24, 2008 3:33 pm PT
The use of the term "loose-meat" sounded unusually unappetizing.
I almost feel as thought the big, must have exclusive titles gain some popularity from the way that they are exclusive, you know? Something almost tells me people who are overly "loyal" to one system (Fine... I'll say it. Fanboys. I still dislike using that word though. It almost seems juvenile.) buy these hyped-up exclusives to rub it in to the other consoles that they don't have those games. Mind you, most of these games do deserve the hype that surrounds them.
I almost feel as thought the big, must have exclusive titles gain some popularity from the way that they are exclusive, you know? Something almost tells me people who are overly "loyal" to one system (Fine... I'll say it. Fanboys. I still dislike using that word though. It almost seems juvenile.) buy these hyped-up exclusives to rub it in to the other consoles that they don't have those games. Mind you, most of these games do deserve the hype that surrounds them.
Posted Jul 16, 2008 6:05 pm PT
where are ya these days Joe? you aint blogged in a long time, nor been on camera :s busy i presume.
Posted Nov 9, 2008 6:57 pm PT
WTF? That's not true you dumbo!
Posted Apr 27, 2009 11:46 am PT
Sorry about that, but it doesn't make any sense!
Posted Apr 27, 2009 11:47 am PT
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