Pachter: GTA 4 will sell more PS3s than it will Xbox 360s
By Dave Parrack
Grand Theft Auto IV is a game with the potential to shift hardware, and force people who have so far stayed in the last generation and been happy playing their PS2 or Xbox, to finally jump ship. But which console will they jump ship to on the strength of GTA IV?
The game is due out next Tuesday, and those who already own an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 will snap it up quickly. Not only does GTA 4 look amazing, the franchise has a virtually unrivalled track record that means people know what they’ll be getting, both in terms of quality and gameplay.
It will also likely spur gamers who have so far been reluctant to spend the money needed to go next gen, finally do it, and force them to make a choice over which console to go with.
Reuters reports various industry analysts have had their say on the matter, and most come down in favour of the PS3.
Retailers just hope the game helps sell consoles full stop, with Bob McKenzie, senior vice president of merchandising for GameStop saying:
“This is one game that has the potential to move some hardware. The anticipation is that it will sell both systems.”
Michael Pachter, who last week totally messed up his April hardware sales predictions thinks the PS3 will whup the Xbox 360s ass in terms of GTA 4 generated sales, saying:
“I think PS3 ‘wins’ this battle. The game will directly spur sales of 2 million additional PS3s in 2008, versus 1 million Xbox 360s”.
Edward Williams, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets agreed because of people being loyal to the the Playstation brand:
“So many people who owned the PS2 went into PlayStation family because of ‘GTA’. The release of ‘GTA4′ could expedite their decision to upgrade.”
But IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon plumps for the Xbox 360, purely because of the quality of it’s online service:
“Online is such a strong part of the game and Microsoft has done such a great job of developing the online community, so for people who own multiple consoles, they will buy it for the 360,”
There’s no doubt in my mind that Grand Theft Auto IV will not only sell in huge quantities, but help shift consoles too. But if even the analysts can’t agree on which console will profit the most, then what hope is there for us on the sidelines?
We’ll know in six months time which analyst was right, and which console has been given a shot in the arm by Rockstar’s latest release. In the mean time, let’s just get it on the streets and play the damn thing.
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Tips N4G
April 25th, 2008
why are you still quoting this idiot. he was JUST proved wrong (AGAIN) a week ago. he forgot the many ps2 owners are now 360 owners. also, it’s no long a ps franchice. too distant too long.
April 25th, 2008
My only question to these analysts is if the game is so great it can move 3 million unts why wouldn’t those people want the 360 version because it will get the exclusive episodic content? Wouldn’t you want to keep playing it if it was great and it takes them this long to make one. I have no interest in the game whatsoever but I know if one of my favorites was coming out I would buy the console that would update content in 6 months or so. But then again I am just a gamer an not an analyst.
April 25th, 2008
i meant “no longer”..heh, heh..
April 25th, 2008
Isn’t this the exact same guy who, three weeks or so ago, said GTA4 would sell twice as many copies on the 360 than the PS3? Kevin was right behind him then, that’s for sure.
I’m beginning to think that this guy just makes crap up as he goes.
-Arvis
April 25th, 2008
someone shut this Pachter guy up… his “accurate” assumptions is giving 360 fanboys more canon fodder and runing the image of PS3…
Ohh well… I hope the game is not a total letdown…
April 25th, 2008
kevin, are you seriously being paid by microsoft. You always big up m$ like its gods own brand of computer hardware/gaming. you have a lot to say about nothing.
April 25th, 2008
arvis - again…either you’re lying, knowingly, or you have a bad memory. i said that article was b.s. since the 360 had waaay more users that it’s simply a matter of numbers. it’s like saying it would have sold twice as many on the ps2 than the xbox… no kidding…really?
April 25th, 2008
most ps2 owners are still ps2 owners big kev…
April 25th, 2008
pfreak - you have no idea. sony never came clean with how many replacements they forced people to buy. there is no way to know how many separate ps2 owners there are. if you’re right tho; that’s not good for sony who’s depending on the ps2’s userbase to drive the ps3…which is reeeeeallly NOT happening as the ps3 falls farther in last place. the point is; many sony gamers from last gen are no longer sony gamers.
April 25th, 2008
Kevin,
I’m not sure I understand your post. Michael Pachter, a little while ago, predicted that GTA4 would sell 6 million on the 360 and 3 million on the PS3. My claim that you were “right behind him” on that was more of a friendly jab in your direction, as I don’t recall you having any kind of official stance on the prediction.
Also, most of the data I’ve seen suggests that the PS3 is gaining ground on the 360, so your statement that it is “falling farther in last place” could be construed as a lie, don’t you think?
-Arvis
April 25th, 2008
arvis - “right behind him” on that was more of a friendly jab in your direction, as I don’t recall you having any kind of official stance on the prediction ” - wth? so you can say WHATEVER you want, with NO basis in truth, then fall back on the “i was only kidding” defense? most of the data you’ve read, i’m almost certain, surrounding the ps3 comes from ps3 fanboy sites. the 360 is back to outselling the ps3 (pachter proven wrong again) as it’s done for the last year… so i guess you know a different math than anyone else. dude, seriously; how credible are we suppsed to take you when you didn’t even know the 360 was a tricore console?
April 25th, 2008
Kevin,
Chill.
I did know it was a tricore console. I just never thought about the fact that that had never been done before in the console realm. I also know what the 360’s motherboard looks like (pretty hilarious), that the Elite uses HDMI 1.2 (also hilarious), and that the RRoD is mostly caused by a combination of terribly inefficient heatsink architecture and weak/cheap solder joints holding everything on the funny funny motherboard.
I know you like to assume everyone but you and other 360 owners are idiots, but (SURPRISE!) I am a reasonable, intelligent person just like you and my opinion is just as valid.
And I wasn’t “kidding.” I still think that you were supporting that particular Pachter prediction, because you support all things Microsoft. The operative word here being “think” as I would have no way of knowing your actual opinion on the issue.
And the 360 barely outsold the PS3 in the latest numbers in the States. Worldwide is a different story. The 360’s success does not hinge on your belief in its success, Kevin. Don’t be afraid to look at things objectively every once in a while. And PLEASE try to read what I write instead reading what you think I mean.
-Arvis
April 25th, 2008
ARVIS - you’re only as reasonable as your posts. I think most can agree, many have been unreasonable predictions and little more. So, post up the worldwide numbers if you have proof. Otherwise, don’t post as you asked for numbers from me. i don’t know where you got the idea i supported his prediction when i CLEARLY wrote it was b.s. article. i wrote about it in the first article they posted about the predictions the 360 version will outsell the ps3 by 2 to 1. you tell ME to read? c’mon… if you think the 360’s hardware is funny, while it’s outperforming the ps3’s, you must think the ps3’s is HILARIOUS… lmao…
April 25th, 2008
Kevin,
No no, the 360’s performance is remarkable. It’s the architecture I find funny, especially when compared to the PS3’s.
Here: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=593905
Peruse at your leisure.
And since I am typing this post on a Mac that is running OS 9.2, the internet doesn’t work too well, so for now I’ll give you this link…
http://www.vgchartz.com/
…and let you look up the numbers yourself.
-Arvis
April 25th, 2008
kevin,
It looks like you’ve been in the coma for last five moths. Go to VGchartz and wake up. Your lover-X360 is selling badly.
What an xboy. “8″
April 25th, 2008
VGChartz is as accurate as a guy in a dark room making a guess. The only figures I believe are the NPD figures.
And I agree with everyone who claims that Patcher is an idiot. The guy is an idiot. But at least DAVE PARRACK has learnt his lesson and has put Patcher’s name in the heading.
How about we wait and see what happens? Kevin and I already know what is going to happen, but you PS3 fanboys have a few more days of gloating left.
April 25th, 2008
Kevin and you have NO idea what is going to happen, you both live and breath 360 blind favourtism spew verbal diarrhoea every time you write a comment on this site.
I do admit though, you two do give me a good laugh with the fancifull crap you guys write….
“Oh kevin, I agree with you yet again.. Oh winner, I agree with you too, now lets go on a double date with our 360’s”
April 25th, 2008
There’s no need to shout my name Winner. I know I’m good, but I’m not that good that you have to capitalise my whole name in your comments. But thanks anyway
April 26th, 2008
@ winner
ofcourse you would believe NPD figures… they only show the statistics within the US… and as I see it the US market is much more important than the WHOLE world isnt it???
How can we trust NPS figures??? are they 100% accurate?? is ANYTHING 100% accurate??
April 26th, 2008
@ kevin
Its funny that you 360 fanboys get mad over stupid things. Everything has to go your way. The PS3 will sell more than the 360 despite the 360 having downloadable content. Who cares about downloadable content. More than half of 360 users dont even have highspeed or a LIVE acount. Rockstar has also stated that the PS3 version looks better than the 360 version and the PS3 version loads faster even if you do the optional install on the 360. And most PS2 users have gone to PS3 because they want to play the exclusive sequels and there PS2 games.
April 26th, 2008
Chad,
In order to stave off having Kevin rant at you about citing your sources, and then rambling on about how stupid you are for preferring the PS3, let me go ahead and tell you this:
…
Um, cite your sources. Find a link that says half of 360 users don’t have high speed or LIVE. If you do, it will insure that Kevin won’t even bother posting a reply. He gets real quiet when he’s wrong, which is alot cooler than most fanboys who like to insist they’re really right, in spite of the facts.
-Arvis
April 26th, 2008
IGN just gave GTA4 a perfect 10 and said that, graphics-wise, the edge goes to the PS3 for better anti-aliasing and far less pop-in.
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/869/869381p5.html
Kevin, anything you feel like saying?
-Arvis
April 26th, 2008
Ah he probably doesn’t believe that source, they usually don’t when it doesn’t go thier way….lol
Goes alot for when they say “360 has far superior graphics etc, etc. Wow, the developers must have done a crap job with 360 then if it’s not the hardware’s fault ??
April 26th, 2008
Something tells me he’ll believe IGN.
April 27th, 2008
Nah he wouldnt believe Ign. I agree with Spideydog.
Kevin wud probably open up his own website, write a review of Gta IV saying the 360 version looks better, rather than saying “Well, i guess the Ps3’s “Powah” is finally showing”. Cuz he wud NEVER say it.
April 27th, 2008
HAHAHAHHAHAH!!!!
What now kevin??? I would REALLY like to know what you think about this review???
I told you that the 360 version is going to be good.. they have DLC… that is a reason to buy the 360 version… but no.. you had to create some retarded facts yourself…
Just because the 360 has more RAM and a GPU doesnt mean it will have better graphics… the PS3 has a better processor….
And by the way… the 360 graphics board is made by ATI and the PS3 one is made by Nvidia… I wonder which company makes better graphics card… hmm
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/869/869381p5.html (incase you forgot to read the one Arvis placed)
and these are direct quotes…
” Sure, there are framerate hitches here and there and (particularly on 360) there is some texture pop-in, but it actually runs better than I expected.”
PARTICULARLY on the 360… I wont be act like an idiot fanboy like you and look too much into it….
“For those wanting to know which version looks better, the edge goes to the PS3. The textures
and framerate are comparable, but the PS3 has far less pop-in. The 360 has richer colors, but the PS3 has better anti-aliasing making it look a little cleaner. Because GTA IV can preload onto the PS3 hard drive, the in-game loads are faster. Don’t worry Xbox owners, the load times are rarely more than 30 seconds and don’t occur very often. The slight visual edge goes to PS3, but the 360 is no slouch. Either version will do you proud.”
So……………….. what do YOU think….
April 27th, 2008
I agree, either version will look great, no matter the MINOR difference which ever way it goes. Just enjoy the game and know that it looks fantastic on both.
April 27th, 2008
The 360 version will still have the DLC come August, so it’s not like we can all scream “OMG PS3 IS TEH WINNEST!”
I just hope we can stop talking about which version looks better and trying to invent reasons WHY.
-Arvis
April 27th, 2008
hey I didnt want to argue.. I gave reasons WHY… and they were just speculations based on previous games…
I cant help myself I see some idiot trying to glorify his console with no basis on fact…
April 28th, 2008
Hey…! GTA IV is truly massive in size right? and they have had to cramn quite a lot into each consol’s game disc… therefore do you realize that the xbox 360 can only store a mere one-sixth to one-fith of what the PS3 game (blu-ray) disc can store… what will be lost on the xbox 360 GTA IV disc or what effect will any serious compression have on it, or will it have to span more than one disc. I own both xbox 360 and the PS3 and am torn between which format to get it on but I think I’ll go PS3! Enjoy whatever format you all go for.
April 28th, 2008
Even if GTA IV helps sell more PS3s, you have to consider the fact that a majority of the people who want to own a 360 already do.
April 29th, 2008
Hey…! GTA IV is truly massive in size right? and they have had to cramn quite a lot into each consol’s game disc… therefore do you realize that the xbox 360 can only store a mere one-sixth to one-fith of what the PS3 game (blu-ray) disc can store… what will be lost on the xbox 360 GTA IV disc or what effect will any serious compression have on it, or will it have to span more than one disc. I own both xbox 360 and the PS3 and am torn between which format to get it on but I think I’ll go PS3! Enjoy whatever format you all go for.
April 29th, 2008
darkwhite - this is what i think, the developers suck.
http://www.dbtechno.com/gaming/2008/04/29/gamers-report-problems-with-gta-iv-on-ps3-xbox-360/