Grand Theft Auto IV is practically here

And Sony has a big problem. This is (by all estimation) the game that brings the remaining millions of US gamers into the next-gen scene. This is the game that the PS2 owners out there are going to go and finally buy a next-gen console for.

So who will they choose? Some on here would like to think they'll opt for the PS3 version because they owned the game on PS2 all those times and see this game as a Playstation game. But think about this: suppose MS gets a major marketing campaign out there promoting their exclusive download content coming soon. Suppose that the price cut that's right around the corner is substantial enough to put a 360 out there at under 200 bucks.

Now these people are going to come in to the retailer and see GTA available for both consoles yet one is cheaper and has DLC. Granted, if they do their homework they'll see the value of the extra 200 bucks and realize that the arcade/core 360 is the worst option you could go for in this day and age when HDD is almost a necessity.

But that many people won't do their homework. They're going to go in, see GTA, and get the cheaper console, unless....

Unless Sony can do something big before then. The marketing campaign for MGS4 should start now IMO. Simultaneously run ads for MGS4 and GTA 4. Or, even better, get a side deal with R* going and soon to secure some sort of DLC for PS3. Phil Harrison hinted at as much before he left but I haven't heard anything on this since.

Sony, this is a big one. You have an AMAZING lineup of games set for this year but this one little game, ironically the game you helped make what it is today, is now the game that could decide who wins the next-gen console battle (Wii excluded from this).

In short, I hope you do something. I'd hate to see all those great games come out but it be too little too late.

[name]

Good post. I find it disgusting how Microsoft can just gleefully admit that they're gonna purpously use marketing to somehow morph GTA into an xbox primary game. GTA could have easily been a game that gamers of both consoles could have been excited about together.(like cod4) But noooo, Microsoft has to polarize a multiplatform game AGAIN just to keep big bad sony from gaining marketshare. However, I think the people who are gonna buy a next gen console for GTA alone are probably in their teen years or younger.

This usually means they're not getting a new console until christmas. And when it's christmas time, they'll have to pick. Gears of war's sequal, which wasn't enough for them to buy a 360 when it came out before, along with GTA4. Or Metal gear solid 4, gran turismo 5, etc and GTA4, alongside all the other franchises they bought a PS2 for?

Also, people forget that the games that made the PS1 win were..metal gear solid..and final fantasy. And guess what games are exclusive this gen?

[sonarus]

lol business is business and while you may think they are in business to make games in reality they are in business to make money. Msoft doesn't have any huge games coming after GTA4 no big exclusives for 360 till Gears of war is ready to come out. Most ps2 gamers like it or not will still consider ps3 their console of choice unless their friends have xbox 360's and they want to play with friends. GTA4 is not the only game a play station gamer values there is GT5, Gow3, final fantasy, metal gear solid. Not all those games are 2008 games but i would believe before buying a console you will at least try to find out the games that are going to be coming out on that console. I don't think GTA4 is the system seller for msoft that msoft wants it to be. I have never seen a company try to use a multiplatform game to sell their own console. regardless though i am sure sony too has worked out their own deal which will be made public in due time