GTA IV delayed until 2008

PS3 News | More development time needed, says Take-Two.

Take-Two has officially announced that Grand Theft Auto IV has been delayed until 2008. Revealing the hold-up in a statement on its site, the publisher stated that developer Rockstar required more time to complete the crime epic, and added that neither the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 version would be released in the current financial year.

"Obviously, we are very disappointed," said Take-Two CEO Ben Feder. "Other than a matter of timing, the movement of Grand Theft Auto IV does not compromise Take-Two in any way. We are in sound financial condition and have a great product line up. Grand Theft Auto IV is going to be the defining next generation video game action adventure."

Meanwhile, Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick explained that the delay was needed in order for the game to be as close to perfect as possible. "We all recognise that perfecting the game is vital, and I can assure everyone it will be worth the wait," he promised. "We owe it to the game's millions of fans, to our dedicated development team, and to our shareholders to make sure that Grand Theft Auto IV is a groundbreaking gaming experience that takes maximum advantage of next generation technology."

So there we go - one of 2007's biggest games slips into the wastelands of 2008. A necessary evil if the game is to realise its potential, or a kick to the teeth of one of gaming's most loyal fanbases? Tell us what you think in the forums.

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52 Comments

Nick

4 years ago

I'm unphased by this, since I'm not a GTA fan. But I don't like hearing any game being delayed - for any reason at all.

On the plus side it looks like they're going all out for it, so there probably won't be as many "they didn't include this ___" fanboys polluting the forums when it's released.

Gtpod

4 years ago

As a big GTA fan, I'm rather glad they're gonna spend more time on development. I just hope they can squeeze everything they possibly can out of the 360 during this extra time.

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

Nick wrote

But I don't like hearing any game being delayed - for any reason at all.

Whereas I'm happy for them to delay the game when it means bugs and/or performance issues that would have been present otherwise will be fixed.

Besides, the end of the year promises enough high quality gaming already that the slipping of one or two big-name titles shouldn't be too much of a stumbling point IMO.

Crestfallen

4 years ago

F*** I hate multiplatform games. If this were an exclusive it would've been released this year.

RAMPAGE

4 years ago

This bloody sucks. I was really looking forward to this game. Allready pre orderd the special addition as well. Man i bet that company that makes saints row is cursing themselves. That game would have sold a tone if they brought it out this year as they were gonna do on ps3. All the people that would have held of for gta would pick it up for sure.

arbok

4 years ago

This is HUGE news - Rockstar usually hit their dates.

DancesInUnderwear

4 years ago

Anything that makes the game better is a good thing. It also saves me some money this Christmas, and gives me more time to play my other games.

....yes, I'm definitely looking at the bright side here.

LeonJ

4 years ago

Ha, while I don't care as I never planned to pick this up, it's still a hit for the 2007 calender for a lot of ppl. I'm sure M$ is spewing as they based a lot of their game releases around this date.

Can't say I'm surprised though. The trailers looked dodgy as and looked like it needed a lot of work. I couldn't stand the framerate in the trailer 2.

Luke

4 years ago

Oh dear, how disappointing.

tootie_kicks

4 years ago

Look at it this way: if Rockstar delay until mid-2008, then they are releasing when there are harldy anyother big names being released. Not only does this give GTAIV even more attention, but they can use the extra time to give it yet another coat of polish.

renegadesx

4 years ago

Id rather a good game next year than a crap game this year. All im going to say.

Marka

4 years ago

Based on the lack of what they have to show, can't say I didn't see this comming.

Sunrider

4 years ago

Well, Halo 3 now officially owns this Christmas - unless Nintendo can make a huge splash.

ugh the boot

4 years ago

I actually welcome delays because it means the developers are prepared to put in extra time to make sure they get it right. I don't like having to download patches and other rubbish because a dev wanted to rush it's product out the door.

Then you have games like Bioshock which to the best of my knowledge hasn't experienced any delays and looks to be one of the best games i've ever played. I think it really comes down to the goals the devs set themselves and what kinds of pressure and hype their particular product is surrounded with. Like for a game like Grand Theft Auto (which is the best selling game in the world) I bet a majority of the fans just cant wait to get their hands on it so the pressure to get it done must be one of the highest of any game imo.

ittekimasu

4 years ago

Well i'm hoping that by giving it extra time we can expect extra things, looking forward to see if by having alot more time that it will up the graphics.

LeonJ

4 years ago

I seriously think cross platfrom development (due to the PS3 most likely) is holding this back. They have a problem where they have to deliver the same GTA expereince on two platforms to make Sony and M$ happy. It's a big task.

ugh the boot

4 years ago

I'd be more inclined to believe that the 360 version is actually causing the problems because the devs have actually voiced their opinion on this. They've said the lack of HDD and Dvd9 format are presenting problems....whereas they haven't actually outlined the problems the Ps3 is causing them.

This game should've remained as a Ps3 exclusive launch and then ported to the other platforms later.....like basically every GTA game since part III. I bet the next GTA will go back to Sony as an exclusive launch, like Arbok has mentioned Rockstar are pretty much always making their target dates and almost all these games have launched on Sony consoles.

LeonJ

4 years ago

ugh the boot wrote

Why, there isn't the installer base to make it a PS3 exclusive? Why would Rockstar in their right mind do that? If anything it would be the other way around.

Whateva, the PS3 is tougher to developer for, it's a fact. Lets recall a game called Table Tennis on the...360! Yes, the framework for GTA4....running on the 360....and all the trailers.....running off the 360......

If anything the PS3 port has hampered developerment (I say port yes because I would have thought GTA4 started on the 360 well before the PS3 dev kits where out) and the lack of a HDD is not going to a major factor.

There is no way it will be a Sony exclusive ever again.

ittekimasu

4 years ago

I guess when your on a leash thats being held by M$ with money thrown in your face it would be a bit disrespectful to go and bite its hand now.

the doag

4 years ago

I suppose as a massive fan on the GTA series, i am somewhat pleased that they have decided to bite the bullet and take more time to make the title the best they can. On the other hand it is a real kick in the guts, as this is by far my most anticipated title. In the end i would much rather they release a quality title than something they rushed to meet deadlines.

ObsoletE

4 years ago

arbok wrote

This is HUGE news - Rockstar usually hit their dates.

except when, you know, they get banned.

i guess i'm more pleased that they're taking their time and not relying on patching any issues, than i am disappointed that i won't be playing this sooner.

RhysDeschain

4 years ago

I think this is good news. How can anyone complain about getting a better game than what would have been released otherwise? Everyone would have been bitching about how bad it was if it had been released early.
I was originally going to get the 360 version over the PS3 version too, but now that it's obvious they're putting a heck of a lot of effort into it (about 6 months more, if it's not going to be released this financial year) I'll definately be gettin the PS3 version. Screw M$ and their $50m, I want to play this on a console that won't scratch my disc or die when I'm halfway thru it.

ugh the boot

4 years ago

LeonJ wrote

So what? Just because they got some half-baked table tennis game running perfectly on it doesn't mean they can get a whole streaming city in HD doing the same. Honestly neither you nor I have any idea which platform is causing problems if any at all.....but looking at Rockstars history they've never had problems untill they started developing for the 360 as an exlusive/multiplatform.

Also you're dreaming if you think the 360's install base will remain higher than the Ps3's. It's only a matter of time people are able to afford Ps3's.....that's the only thing holding them back....or alternatively everyone's 360 will eventually break and they'll just opt for the Ps3 as their next console.

I'm also seriously considering getting the Ps3 version now because I remember the problems San Andreas had streaming the whole game off the disc.

Zarnoss

4 years ago

Bah! that sux

I was looking forward to GTAIV this year so much too.
I guess its good that they are going to refine the game and tidy up that horrendous framerate.Maybe they'll be working on that extra content also and then they can focus on that other IP they are being decidedly secretive about with just a few people tidying up the graphics/FPS in GTA.

Hopefully saints row 2 comes out this year to satisfy the GTA clone urge i need.(That'll be out probably next year too, i don't know)

Waaaaaaaaaahhh!

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Grand Theft Auto IV

Pre-order or buy:
PALGN recommends: www.Play-Asia.com

Australian Release Date:
  29/04/2008 (Confirmed)
Standard Retail Price:
  $119.95 AU
Publisher:
  Rockstar Games
Genre:
  Action
Year Made:
  2007

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