Grand Theft Auto V will still see the light of day in Take-Two’s upcoming FY2013 despite being a busy release period for the firm, predicts industry analysts.
The comments come following the publishing giant’s decision to postpone the launch of eagerly-anticipated actioner Max Payne 3 until May 2012. As a result of the delay, the game will now launch in the first quarter of FY2013.
Of course, the 12 months starting April 1, 2012 are already jam-packed with major releases as it is, including BioShock: Infinite, Borderlands 2, Spec Ops: The Line, and XOCOM. Analysts however, feel GTA V will still make it out the door before the next financial year wraps, albeit significantly later than anticipated.
Said Mike Hickey of National Alliance Capital Markets: "It seems unlikely that Rockstar Games would launch both Max Payne 3 and GTA 5 in the month on May. Therefore, we have shifted our original expectation for GTA V to launch in May 2012, into the Company’s 2013 fiscal second-half operating period.”
"We remain confident GTA V will ship in calendar year ’12, based on an assumption that Rockstar is using a sub 12 month marketing window for GTA V and the company’s fiscal 2013 performance guidance, which would suggest the game’s release."
EEDAR’s Jesse Divnich also believes the crime sequel will turn up by the end of March 2013. "[Take-Two] are still saying they will achieve $2.00 earnings per share in fiscal 2013, so Grand Theft Auto V has to come out by March 2013,” he commented.
"Although GTA V may still launch in FY:13, predicting the actual release date is difficult due to a crowded pipeline,” offered Wedbush Morgan’s Michael Pachter.
"I don’t know if [Max Payne’s delay] means a full year gap, but very likely six months. Too bad, as I think Grand Theft Auto V would benefit from giving Call of Duty some breathing room."