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Developer: Rockstar North Publisher: Rockstar Release Date: Apr 29th 2008 Genre: Action Sub Genre: Third Person
Grand Theft Auto IV
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Analyst: GTA IV delayed due to PS3 complications

Posted on August 3rd, 2007 at 15:46 EDT

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has commented on the recent delay of Grand Theft Auto IV, stating that he believes the reason it was pushed back is due to developer Rockstar experiencing complications in developing the PlayStation 3 iteration of the title.

“We think it is likely that the Rockstar team had difficulty in building an exceptionally complicated game for the PS3, and failed to recognise how far away from completion the game truly was until recently," offered Pachter.

Pachter also said he believes this acted as a precursor to delaying the Xbox 360 version, due publishers Take-Two having to maintain contractual arrangements with Sony which would deny them launching the game first on a rival machine. “We think it is also likely that Take-Two had a contractual commitment to Sony that it would not favour competitor Microsoft by launching the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV prior to launching the PS3 version, and believe that any delay of the PS3 version necessitated a delay of the Xbox 360 version," he said.

Furthermore, the analyst feels the publisher’s failure to recognise such development road blocks could potentially damage investor’s confidence in the firm:

“Take-Two management stumbled badly for the first time during their tenure”, added Pachter.

"While the delay of GTA IV was clearly not the fault of new management, we believe that it should have been better understood several months ago, and should have been communicated to investors much earlier than today. The company has begun an initiative to improve the green light process for new projects, but given the delays of Manhunt and GTA, its process for monitoring projects under development appears to be a failure," he concluded.

Sony Computer Entertainment and Take-Two declined to comment on any speculation.

PSU Says...
It’s somewhat fitting that the ubiquitous Pachter – who himself earlier in the year actually predicted the delay of GTA IV – should feel obliged to comment on the reasons behind Rockstar’s decision to postpone what used to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year. While it’s conceivable that the PS3’s architecture may have presented some challenges, we feel more inclined to go with Pachters earlier predictions that lead us to believe Rockstar would rather have played it safe and spent a little more time on the game to ensure it’s inevitable quality. Indeed, this seems to be the case as far as the company itself is concerned. But remember folks – a Pachter prophecy isn’t always something to turn your nose at.

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What are your thoughts?
posted 3:50pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
1

I think it's delayed becuz of the 360s hardware.

posted 3:50pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
2
"we think" "I believe" etc. Why should I believe this guy?
posted 3:51pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
3
Well I think R* can't fit it on a DVD-9. Do you believe me?
posted 4:03pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
4

KRIEG1986, you said it before me.  All he says are "think" and "believe", while there might be truth to it, it might also be the complete opposite and be 360's fault.

posted 4:04pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
5

I bet it is delayed because of the fact that the 360 is using a DVD format for storage

posted 4:05pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
6

lol its as if it is hard for u lot to comprehend that the ps3 could do anything bad

posted 4:10pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
7

I like Michael Pachter from several interviews I have seen but I don’t agree with him this time, I think R* just wasn’t ready to relies it.

posted 4:17pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
8

Its very new in terms of time to get used to program for it ......we think.

posted 4:27pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
9

I got a game comming out tomorrow for both consoles, we just finished the Ps3 version and as I speak we about to finish the 360 version.....this just in the 360 can only fit the intro and half of the first mission on their dvd-9...we will delay this game till 08 so we can have time to compress data onto dvd-9 ...till then Party like a ROCKSTAR!!!

posted 4:58pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
10

I agree with Ryoma, the PS3 is not infallible as you all seem to believe. Rockstar themselves said that the PS3 version was a few weeks behind in development, and as they get further in development they could encounter new problems. Dont be so quick to write this off, I love my PS3, but Im not so ignorant to think it is perfect.

posted 5:08pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
11

I believe its more to this, then whats being put out. I agree with'' playing beyond today''; Rockstar is realizing that when you make a game with that much output you need more space to hold it ...hence m$ only has 9gb...I think they are stalling for time to compress..and sony would take the fall for it as usual. And wouldnt it look real bad if the game released on ps3 on time and not xbox360..since rockstar is on M$ pay roll

posted 5:09pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
12

I think that its because of xbox dvd storage im wondering if they are going to have to cut the ps3 version and now have to go back and change storie for both of them. But the quickets thing to do is blame ps3 because its newer and developer hasant wroked with software much. But truly I belive its storage on dvd for xbox not enough room.

posted 5:25pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
13

Thank you The GreatCity and Ryoma, you guys are the only one's who are making scence. My PS3 is great and would take it over a 360 any day but it's not perfect. It could have problems too, and who cares since 360 still isnt gettin it before us. Some of you fanboys are so ignorant and dont want to face the true facts.

posted 5:26pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
14

psn id: gingo.... i usually agree with what pachter says but i think this is a load of bull

posted 5:32pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
15

the thing is it actuly says nothing about if the 360 or ps3 delayed it didnt r* say the 360 version was givin them problems ages ago

posted 5:38pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
16

KRIEG1986. of course they can't fit it on a DVD 9

 

posted 5:38pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
17

CMON ROCKSTAR, FIRST MANHUNT AND NOW THIS?

posted 6:21pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
18

I love my ps3 and I used to have an xbox I other systems too but this game looks real good and I think they are just going to delay both of them because they  might need more time to compress for dvd9s.

posted 6:21pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
19
I would like to congragulate this "analyst" on inciting hate. Way to go. Now we're going to have a bunch of stupid Xbots running around calling for the PS3's demise. Does it really matter why the game is delayed? This guy is probably just trying to stir up controversy or trouble.
posted 6:31pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
20

Hiya first post on hear, be gentle. Personally I think Patcher is an awful analyst and if I was an investor I'd steer well clear of his advice column. The reality is I don't think Rockstar have any agreements with Sony about releasing the PS3 version around the same time as the Xbox 360 version. They have said as much in statements saying they only have contractual obligations to Microsoft after the $50m they paid for exclusive downloadable content. If I was Microsoft I wouldn't be allowing the PS3 version to delay the launch of a game that was key to my holiday season line up. No way!!! If there was a deal between Rockstar and Sony over joint release date then I'd be shouting from the roof tops that Sony and its "awkward" PS3 were to blame. Microsoft aren't doing that. Rockstar have said they actually quite like the PS3 but that its complex and is taking some time to get used to. As for the real reason? No of us will ever truly know unless Rockstar actually tell us. As for me, the demo being shown recently was apparently glitchy, and this was apparently due to the game being compressed, to fit onto DVD9. Thing is I bet they're optimising GTAIV so that its a requires HDD game so they can download uncompressed content to a HDD to solve load times and these graphics glitches. Thats my guess. B Bye.

posted 6:42pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
21

its good case 360 games come out and the same game gets dealayed for the ps3 not fair but look a dmc4 thanks to the 360 ps3 has to wait

posted 6:56pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
22

well i belive dat guy should shut the fuk up!

posted 7:33pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
23

I like how the analyst tries so hard to make it the PS3's fault and then he tried to spin it further so it wasnt abad thing for the 360. The guy's a tool. It's MORE likely that developers are having a harder time with fitting things on to DVD9 disks so that it can be the same for both systems.

posted 9:31pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
24

I'm not going to stand here and say the PS3 is perfect. All I'm going to say is devs need to stop whining. Do some f**k*ng work. I'm about sick and tired of these devs making it sound like everything is supposed to be "easy". So that haven't had enough time to work on PS3 hardware, fine. But maybe put more time and effort into it?? Anyway I don't think I'm getting GTAIV, especially if it's anything like San Andreas.

posted 9:47pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
25

ye shut the fuk up.................

posted 10:34pm EDT - August 3rd, 2007
26

@Muzikguy, no one was whining, but thats exactly it. If the PS3 takes more work to develop for, then its going to take more time for the game to be completed.

posted 12:55am EDT - August 4th, 2007
27

I hate to burst Pachter's bubble (not really), but the fact is that the PS3 version of GTAIV has been in development over a year longer than the 360 version. It's highly doubtful that they would have finished a 360 port of the PS3 title without the PS3 game being finished first.

They likely did this for marketing reasons (especially with all the blockbusters coming this fall), as well as the hardware limitations they were attempting tow work around on the 360.

posted 1:19am EDT - August 4th, 2007
28

KUDOS   2   R*                      I can only commend rockstar for staying true to their vision. Taking a leaf out of Polyphony Digitals' book by keeping it in development until it's what they (NOT TakeTwos' shareholders) wish to release to the consuming public. Too many developers are subject to market pressures to simply prepare titles for release asap rather than ensure optimal final build quality. So, I say again. KUDOS 2 R*

posted 1:58am EDT - August 4th, 2007
29
I honestly think that people are being stupid and ignorant by trying to pin this on one problem. It could be that the PS3 is complicated to optimize, it's hard to fit the game on a DVD, or maybe it's all of the above and then some. Trying to pin it on one console or problem is stupid. This game probably wasn't ready for either platform. The 360 version was having some major bugs and issues. That's the most we know about the technical problems. The PS3 version is a few weeks behind so i'm sure it isn't doing much better. I'm actually a little happy that they are taking their time. This should be the best GTA yet given the time it will take.
posted 5:38am EDT - August 4th, 2007
30

this could be true, its probably cause they just assumed that they could just port it over to PS3 like so many other devs. and found it to be more difficult than ust porting. I hope this is not true, because this makes me think that GTAIV will be of less quality, ie: frame rate down, colors jacked, poor 6axis usage- things like that...anyway when does "2 days 2 vegas" come out?

posted 5:57am EDT - August 4th, 2007
31

@bluesuedeshoes: I totally agree with you. If it's the PS3s fault Microsoft should have BIG posters and megaphones announcing how bad the PS3 is. I think that this guy is really stupid and a truly idiot speculating in stuff like this.

Is he trying to start a flame war or what? Just accept the delay and if Rockstar wants us to know the reason they will tell you. If not, they just forget about it (but we all know that the reason is DVD9) :P

posted 6:02am EDT - August 4th, 2007
32

While what he says may or may not be true, the fact is that this is all speculation. The guy has absolutely no evidence either way, that either console is in itself causing the delay. Hence his entire "analysis" (if you can call it that) is irrelevant, and a waste of time and space.

posted 6:08am EDT - August 4th, 2007
33
Look at all the fanboys defending there console as soon as anything bad is said about it. So what if there having problems with the PS3, atleast the xbox fanyboys won't be getting it before us. Also it may not just be the PS3 but both versions there having trouble with.
posted 6:59am EDT - August 4th, 2007
34
i totally agree
posted 6:59am EDT - August 4th, 2007
35

Okay if it is the PS3's fault,then how come all the glitches and bugs were presented in the 360 version.

posted 8:34am EDT - August 4th, 2007
36

We all know that from earlier news, they were having trouble fitting the whole game into the miniscule DVDs that the 360 uses. That is probably a major issue. Trying to shrink and compress the game so it fits on a 360.

posted 9:37pm EDT - August 5th, 2007
37

It was beacuase of dvd, PSU again anti-Sony mmmm

posted 1:31am EDT - August 21st, 2007
38

galaxyman14
 Saying that people on here are acting stupid and ignorant, is wrong to the point that its already been proven with Oblivion thats its all about the amount of data that can be put on to a DVD and thats the Main reason why Oblivion for the PS3 had more detail in  also help from the Cellprocesser and the the Blu-Ray DVD they said them self that the DVD that the Xbox uses could hold that much data. Now If Rockstar really want this to be the best looking with as much content they can fit in to the game they know they can do that with the Blu Ray DVD cause they got all the space they need but only problem is the DVD's the Xbox uses can't unless they really want to use to DVD.

posted 9:05am EDT - September 23rd, 2007
39

The 360 is "most likely" the cause for delay.  I have both the 360 and PS3, and i've already had to send my 360 in twice because of hardware issues.  The graphics are just not as clean and they pushed it out too fast just to be ahead of the PS3.  Even just playing movies, the 360 seems to be lacking.  It could be that the PS3 is "too complicated" but in the end, the ps3 is more capable than the 360 and the fact that you purchase a ps3, and your set.  You don't need to buy external hard drives, or external HDD drives.  I like both systems, but the 360 has been very troublesome.  No real evidence to truley suggest either system or the developer are to blame.  Just hearsay and opinions.

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