Ben-DutkaTake-Two Interactive had a good year despite the lack of a new Grand Theft Auto . But of course, GTA remains the publisher's bread and butter.
And provided the company keeps its priorities straight, GTAV could become the biggest video game in history. So says analyst Michael Pachter , who first spoke about the estimated release window for the new GTA installment, which he pegs at "no later than early 2012."
The reason for that is because the three key players in the game's development (Les Benzies, Sam and Dan Houser) see their contracts expire in January 2012. And unsurprisingly, Pachter and Co. believe it would be very beneficial for the trio to deliver the new GTA before their contract comes up for renegotiation… As for a status update:
""We are highly confident that a next version is well into its development, especially given that the prior version was ready on the Xbox 360 in August 2007, and its release was delayed until April 2008 only because of technical problems with the PS3 version (and a contractual obligation not to release on one platform before the other). We estimate that over 200 people work full-time on the game, and estimate that fewer than 30 were required to continue working on the prior version past August 2007. To their credit, Mr. Benzies and both Mr. Housers have a reputation for being workaholics, and for expecting the same from their employees. We find it unfathomable that work on the next Grand Theft Auto began any later than September 2007, so the game will have been under development for four years by the middle of Take-Two’s FY:12. We understand that the team is using the same game engine (the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine, or RAGE), and although we expect the next game to be the biggest and deepest ever, we don’t think it is likely that the team will take more than four years to deliver it."
But there is one small caveat: as the publisher attempts to branch out and focus on other potentially big projects, Pachter says those new titles "distract the key members of the Grand Theft AutoM team." And though they expect both L.A. Noire and Max Payne 3 to be big, they don't expect either to sell more than 5 million units, while the next GTA might be capable of 20 million+.
The number of people who own consoles in early 2012 will be very high, and GTAV will be available to many, many millions around the world. But we're certainly interested in those other projects, too…
what about la noir or the third red dead, i would only assume one of those should take current priority. especially la noir, because if they want to make a lasting franchise they need to give it everything they have
Who says L.A. Noire is franchise material
I say so even from the little we've seen.
You KNOW all that expensive new mocap tech isn't going to go into a single game.
L.A. Noire is the beginning of great things. Whether it expands into new places, or L.A. of different time frames is anyone's guess.
So they are making a new one!
This is good news for me.
I'm sorry but after your last article about Pachter hes even more irrelevant now than he ever was before. LOL!
All I care about is Agent at this point. eeeh…and I guess I care a little about L.A. Noir.
God, I forgot about Agent…clearly a mistake on my part b/c that game looks good
I don't think we will even hear about Agent for another two years.
Don't bother Wreckless, there is almost no information at all except it is an exclusive in development.
Yes I want to know how Agent is doing already! Any little info, please! Atleast if it even is still in development.
Its a sandbox game about espionage during the cold war. That's enough to keep me interested. 🙂
It seems to me that anything Rockstar develops is pure gaming gold. Hopefully the devs they're publishing for are capable of some good games too but it'll be a wait and see situation with those.
Weren't we supposed to be getting this guy some help?
I pretty much know what to expect from GTA V, and as good as it will be, I'd like to see something new more. I guess what I'm saying is I'm looking forward to L.A. Noir and Agent more because I don't know what to expect.
Try Agentthegame.com
I too am looking more forward to LA Noire, and also Max Payne 3 more than GTAV. I'll for sure get GTA at some point, but the formula has grown tiresome and a used purchase will do.
Have to admit world… LA Noire is another one to add… its too much 🙁
Why can't games be a little cheaper, they would sell many more of them…
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Does that mean Rock* is working on a new Red Dead game. Remember a while back in like June(the month after RDR release) rock* said they started working on a new game. Some said GTA V. THis here says they started working on GTA V on Sept of 2007, which I figured because I knew how big of a title GTA is. So… Rock* is working on a new RD installment. What else could it be?
Isn't 2012 a little late, even late 2011 is. Does any body else know how often a new GTA comes out? It seems that it's no more then a year or two. It will be tree years in April that we haven't seen a true, new GTA. Right? they did come out with something but it wasn't a new title like GTA IV was.
Always have time for Rockstar, they're one of the few companies that actually make worthwhile DLC & their games (GTAIV & Red Dead Redemption) in particular, are pure class.
Any small drops & drips of info be it official or unofficial regarding GTAV, i am all ears.
WTF for!?
they have Agent, LA Noire and max payne 3 for next year i think thats more than enough to keep them afloat!
GTAV for 2012, maybe 2013 but all i can say is if its anything like GTAIV please R*, PLEASE dont release it!
GTAIV was already enough of a heartbreak, i dont think i can take another.
lol@wannabe analyst.
Take Two should do whatever they want to do. Who's this guy to tell them what their priority should be?
God I can't stand people like this guy who view it all entirely from a business perspective. Out of touch.
The top priority of R* perhaps, but Take-Two should be focussing more on Bioshock Infinite I think.
That being said, R* has nine different development studios. Two of which are basically QA. Still, it seems ridiculous to say that their games can be affecting each other with that number of developers. What's their officially announced line-up?
L.A. Noire, developed by Team Bondi, a third party studio.
Max Payne 3, which is being done by the Vancouver studio.
Agent, the developer of which is R* North.
We can guess that they have another portable game in the works, which is probably developed by Leeds. Potentially a new Midnight Club, and Red Dead, both of which have been developed by San Diego. I think that the MC franchise will be handed off to the London studio. Which leaves two studios. New England, which I have no idea about. And Toronto.
Now, R* North has typically handled GTA, but considering that they are reportedly working on Agent, it makes sense that the next GTA has been handed over to Toronto. Why would I say this? It was that studio that handled the PS3 port of the Episodes, so they have some background.
Perhaps Agent didn't start development until shortly before its announcement? This could mean that North worked on it for over a year before giving it to Toronto, and so it could be a good way along in development by now. I would be very surprised if the nect GTA doesn't come out before mid-2012. It just isn't likely.
But of course, this is all conjecture based on history and guesswork, so I could be, and probably am, way off the mark.
Peace.
I Just want my Bioshock!!!!
I may be remembering incorrectly, but didn't this guy also say that rockstar/take two absolutely HAD to announce GTAV at e3 this year or their ship would sink?
I could'a swore I read something from him along those lines.
Guys don't forget to buy Yakuza 4 in march 2011!Yakuza 4 has so much to do than in any gta game and its a ps3 exclusive so even graphics are a plus and mainly the story and the characters are awesome!
Stuff to do in-game: Yakuza 3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Red Dead Redemption. Who cares about bigger real estate when there's nothing to do in it? Very excited for Yakuza 4.
Yakuza is indeed a great series.
If people were captivated by Shenmue, and love Asian/Japanese flicks this is a great game to get.
Heck the storyline alone brings the game together very well, solid series.
A great new story, new locations, and cleaned up tight new graphics is all GT5 needs in order to become the greatest game ever.
I just want no bad ports. GTA 4 was worst by far on the ps3 version. The online was bad, I couldn't connect and get invites it was annoying. Also the framerate and screen teraing is just terrible forthe ps3 version. Rockstar I hope you don't make the same mistake again!!!
GTAV will be a great game to add to our consoles during the time where word about the next gen systems come into play.
GTA spin offs, GTAV will only make it in 2014.
And no, with the way Activision advertise CoD, no way GTA can surpass CoD now.
The "There's a soldier in us" commercial was well done.
Not to mention CoD comes every year and will be twice a year eventually.
COD is a joke and so is everybody who buys it.
Although I desperately want another GTA since I'm a HUGE Rockstar fan, Take-Two(from a business stand-point) are doing fine. GTAV shouldn't be rushed nor does it need all this pressure.
GTA V : The Final Frontier…lol
GTA V: Tijuana
xD
I hope they add some of the stuff they had in San Andreas & put it in GTAV like being able to make your character lift weights, riding bikes and such in my opinion GTAIV was still a good game but aside from the graphics it almost felt like a step backwards.
Last edited by GuyverLT on 12/21/2010 6:40:21 PM
It's going to be interesting to see where R* takes this game. Vice City was my favorite. San Andreas was not too great… and IV was cool and the online part was fun for a while… but it somehow seemed like it was getting old.
We need a deep story and hopefully more interactivity with the environment. Better online features with maps specifically made for the online portion of the game. Not sure where else it can improve… Definitely can't wait to see what they have in store for us
Bring Niko Back! 😀