Microsoft happy with GTA IV delay?
Let’s put a few things into perspective, shall we?
1.) Grand Theft Auto IV was slated to be one of the biggest sellers of the 2007 Holiday Season.
2.) Microsoft, in an effort to draw people away from the PS3, inked an exclusive deal with Rockstar to develop content exclusively for the 360. This wound up costing the big MS a cool $50 Million.
3.) Take-Two announced quite publically that GTA IV had been delayed until sometime in early 2008.
Now, with the $50 Million thrown down for MS to get the exclusive content, you would think they would be pretty darn ticked that GTA IV was delayed, right? Hell, I know I would.
Alas, it seems that Microsoft has taken the delay in strike, and according to a new posting on William Vitka’s New York Post blog Microsoft seems downright happy with the delay.
So, I asked.
“Excuse me, but - the money Microsoft paid to Rockstar was quite a hefty chunk. Now I’m not saying this was a bad business move, but it was clearly designed to pull GTA-Sony loyalists to your side. So are you saying that the millions you guys paid out of pocket to get gamers into Microsoft hands for the holiday rush wasn’t wasted in any way?”
The Xbox rep grinned uneasily, “I never said we gave Rockstar money. I don’t think we ever -”
“I’m not asking if you said it, I’m suggesting that your plan was blown out of the water a bit because now there isn’t as much of a draw for ‘converts’.”
And then there was a brief, awkward silence and more assurances that, really — hey, for serious — Microsoft is totally happy about GTA IV being delayed.
After careful thought and painstaking reasoning, Xbox 360 Rally has come up with two possible solutions:
1.) Microsoft is indeed happy for the delay because it will allow gamers to experience the other great titles this holiday season.
2.) Those responsible are already dead.
Microsoft, Xbox 360, Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto IV
