Analysts: GTAIV was not a console seller
by Dustin Burg 
{ Jun 9th 2008 at 12:00PM }
In a preview of May's NPD sales, the analytical crew over at Lazard Capital Markets and Wedbush Morgan securities are reporting that GTAIV's tremendous software sales in May did not result in a "meaningful increase" for either the Xbox 360 or PS3 as was previously expected. "We do not believe the recent release of GTA IV has generated meaningful incremental demand for the Xbox 360 or PS3 platforms" commented Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets, suggesting that an actual hardware price cut would generate a more noticeable increase in demand.
Sounds to us like GTAIV wasn't the big console seller that Microsoft wanted to be, which is too bad. Though, we have a hunch Rockstar is more than happy with the truckloads of cash GTAIV has dumped on their lap.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
OrionnoirO @ Jun 9th 2008 12:08PM
I love analysts... They even know better than the numbers!
Procris @ Jun 9th 2008 12:12PM
So what is a "console" seller then? Either way you look at it, GTA4 sold a lot of hardware for both companies. If the game had of been exclusive you can bet your ass it would have sold more hardware.
emirabal @ Jun 9th 2008 12:20PM
Yeah, sounds like it was a bust.
Big Filth @ Jun 9th 2008 12:24PM
gta4 came our already??
Trekster_Gamer @ Jun 9th 2008 12:26PM
I am pleased that a trashy game is not the reason to buy a console
OrionnoirO @ Jun 9th 2008 12:41PM
No, instead we get to look forward to playing with people such as yourself online... oh the joy...
Big Bird @ Jun 9th 2008 2:26PM
Go back to drinking your koolaide
asurroca @ Jun 9th 2008 11:30PM
Jack Thompson, is that you?
Trogdor @ Jun 9th 2008 12:42PM
Man I could so be an analyst, you just have to state the obvious - "a price decrease will increase demand for consoles."
At least they paid attnetion in economics 101.
kyle @ Jun 9th 2008 12:48PM
idc either way...gta iv still is a great game
Cal @ Jun 13th 2008 12:12PM
If you can play it... Once/if you are unlucky and have the crashing problems which make it unplayable you start seeing it more negatively
FuzzyLabRat @ Jun 9th 2008 1:02PM
I purchased my XBOX360 as a GTAIV bundle from BB right when it came out.
Albeit it was more timing coincidence since I was ready to purchase around GTA release date.... bundles just make the deal sweeter.
Vcize @ Jun 9th 2008 1:29PM
GTA4 + price cut at the same time would have been massive.
Paul @ Jun 9th 2008 1:34PM
"the ever knowledgeable video game industry analysts"
....hahahahaha i love it!
DBoyFlex @ Jun 9th 2008 1:38PM
Everybody I know that wanted GTA had either a ps3 or xbox (majority) therefore, it was a game selling game rather than a console selling game. Duhh.
Rick @ Jun 9th 2008 3:30PM
That's pretty funny, because I just bought a 360 about 3 weeks ago just for GTA IV, so it was a console seller for me...
Brawnstar @ Jun 9th 2008 8:12PM
GTA4 was a console seller for me, I got my 360 the saturday before it came out.
cowpiebingo @ Jun 9th 2008 10:08PM
I bought my Xbox for GTA4 & the downloadable exclusives. In fact, I sold my PS3 for it.
Hak @ Jun 9th 2008 11:37PM
I call this article bull, if it wasn't selling as forecasted, it definitely increased the interest to buy a console, like I hear people talking about getting one to play, it still certainly helped!!! A really interesting DLC plus xbox price slashes will still sell this game and the console
Joe H @ Jun 10th 2008 12:14AM
To add to the growing chorus, I bought my 360 because of GTA4 as well.
VoiceofHarold @ Jun 13th 2008 5:13AM
I bought my 360 because of GTA4 as well: Three years ago when I heard it wasn't a PS3 exclusive.