Pachter: EA could delay GTA IV's April 29 release

Joystiq writes: Mr. Michael Pachter – everyone's favorite clairvoyant video game analyst – has a knack for making headlines. Whether it's "Pachter snubs pal Lohan in Viper Club debacle" or "EA could delay GTA IV's April 29 release" we tend to take notice. On the latest episode of Bonus Round, Pachter told host Geoff Keighley, "I think if EA takes over Take-Two, they have an economic incentive to delay [Grand Theft Auto IV]." What economic incentive might that be? Why, to hold the release until the far more lucrative fourth quarter. As for why Take-Two isn't simply doing that itself, the Pach explains, "Take-Two, financially, has to get that game out ... they need the money. They need to get it out."

[Time Lord]

Michael Pachter is getting bit boring now.

[KidMakeshift]

Pachter's belief isn't very practical. How would releasing it in the fall be more profitable than april 29? GTA4 owns this month and next month. It would not have this kind of advantage later in the year. I think he's just pulling controversy out of his a$$

[BrianC6234]

If EA did do that I'd be calling them up and telling them I won't buy anymore of their games. No way would EA do it but since GTA4 isn't an EA game it won't happen. EA didn't just buy Take Two, did they?

[SuperTanker]

That's an empty threat. Will you not buy GTA even if it were delayed?

[IntelligentAj]

I don't think EA would do this simply because it would alienate gamers who happen to be their primary source of income and when they don't put out quality title(like they used to) they will suffer.

[RJ2000]

If EA buy 2k... this will be the last GTA game I play. Because they will all be the same once EA buys it and they will release 2 each year.

@1.4: You dont realize that EA has been doing this forever and taking their consumers for granted. They do not think logically from what I can tell half the time.

[BrianC6234]

"That's an empty threat. Will you not buy GTA even if it were delayed?"

Hopefully just telling EA my threat would be enough to make them crumble because I hope all gamers would do the same. We've waited too long already. If the game is ready release it. Hopefully it won't matter.

[whoelse]

It would happen if they want the whole world to be talking GTA just when everyone are getting out their money to buy xmas gifts.

But there isnt too long for EA to take over take-two before April 29th.

[Eromu]

Won't happen.

[Bleucrunch]

Nuff said. There really is more that needs to be said!

[Alcohog]

Will not happen.

See what I did there?

[EZCheez]

Heads will roll.

I can assure you of that.

[PS360PCROCKS]

I would say I wouldn't buy it but I would cave in because I want it so much, so I would kill someone from EA out of irritation, it was already supposed to be out like 6 months before April 29th

[TheBarExam_2]

Not cool

[ScottEFresh]

EA needs to BURN!

[jackdoe]

Well, good thing that EA in all likelihood will not be able to buy Take Two in three weeks.

[The Wood]

Pachter + EA = Ultimate Annoyance Combo

Its like they are both trying to be more important than the industry they serve

[eagle21]

Peter Moore at EA is starting to look evil.

I need Kaz to call EA, Swine! Cheer me up buddy. :)

[ICUP]

"starting"?

They're f@ckin evil.

[Eromu]

EA is the cancer that is killing gaming.

[eagle21]

lol

[Gazman]

I can only hope it does not happen or I will never buy EGAY again

[zen_fart]

i hate that specky idiot. hes getting too comfy on that dumb ass tv show. they need to fire him or make him insult islam, that will sort him out.
if ea delay this game i will kill myself.

[Maddens Raiders]

you're new, boring, and a little ignorant which are not good combos.

Please straighten up, get it together, and step lively mate. We're not amused.

Thanks in advance.

[ICUP]

If it does, my friends and i shall go Jihad on their @ss.

[crazy25000]

dont bring religious BS here...go somewhere else

[ICUP]

Go where?

this is the Open Zone ...

[BlackCountryBob]

Pachter really gets on my nerves and he talks more rubbish that actual good predictions. EA could not physically complete the takeover fast enough to make a delay work. With little more than 3 weeks to go until release it will go gold soetime within the next 7 days to get enough copies printed in time for the worldwide release.

To delay the release, EA would need to complete a full takeover this week which just aint gonna happen!

[SUP3R]

The sad part is even if they delay it I'm still going to buy it whenever it's released.
I know it won't be delayed, but that's the kind of power the Houser brothers have over me with GTA. I just can't say no to that damn game! :(

[Jim Crowslaw]

EA should delay the next Madden game

[crazy25000]

love the response =)

[RJ2000]

delay it till their contract with the NFL is up...

[Bnet343]

-_-

*grabs shotgun*

[Blitzed]

Take this for what you will. I was in EB yesterday purchasing the Dualshock3 and pre-ordered GTA IV. I was told the release date has been pushed up to the 16th of April. I told the guy he was nuts and he went to the computer and confirmed that it was pushed up to the 16th.

I am not holding my breath though since he asked me if I wanted to preorder "Metal Gear Solid 5"-(a funny story I will post later), and I would imagine we would have heard of this.

EDIT: Wasn't that the old release date?

As I said EZ, dont get too excited, I was there and I dont believe it.

[EZCheez]

Please be right. I'm going to look at their website right now.

That would be insanity because it would be releasing the same day as GT5P.

EDIT-The website still says 4/29.

[va_bank]

That's what you get for going to EB :)))

[Blitzed]

You gotta love gift cards.

[NIN64]

If this gets delayed again I WILL kill myself.

[Danja]

im gonna take that as you just being silly....moving on*

[KidMakeshift]

Pachter says you won't

[DailyAddict]

I agree that I could definitely see EA delaying the game until Fall. Whereas Take 2 needs to put it out now to make money, EA would give them the money/has the money to keep them stable until Fall.

However, I think Take 2 is purposely delaying the buyout for this very reason and also given the fact that if EA takes over Take 2 (irony?) before GTAIV is released, then EA would get a nice chunk of the money pie and I'm sure Take 2 doesn't want to give up any cash to EA that they didn't deserve.

I'm pretty sure that Take 2 will surrender to EA one way or the other, but I think it will be very shortly AFTER GTAIV is out.

[Synex]

If EA buys out Take Two the GTA series will die.

[jabberjak]

if you think about it there are two scenarios, take two releases the game and the games sells like hot cakes which therefore increases the price of the share making EA either paymore per share or the second EA backs out from buying Take two. personally i dont believe EA will be able to take over Take two before GTA4 but then again i could be wrong. just my opinion of what could happen dont know if it would make sense but meh wat u gonna do.

[Asurastrike]

I almost hope it gets delayed. That will make MGS4 even bigger when it releases. :P

[tweaker]

As much as I like MGS4, I really want GTA to come out already. I need to release some havoc inside a video game. So F you. ;)

jk

[Infernus]

...This would be an EA move for sure.

I never thought of this before. EA take over Take-Two and push back GTA4's release to ruin it for all of us. Yeah that sounds about right actually.

I like EA for Burnout and C&C3, buying out companies then screwing with releases is something I think EA have done enough of. Remember Bullfrog; Dungeon Keeper 3 is under development *Buy-out happens now* We've scrapped DK3 for the forseeable future. Yeah, thanks for that guys...

[Danja]

I just dont see this happening Take Two ...is gonna make a killing off GTA4 ..don't see why they would sell there soul to the devil

[Sarick]

No they sold $50 million in exclusive content to Microsoft.

Money money money, drools money.

[bootsielon]

I want GTA4 to be delayed, the game needs more polish, especially on 360. Besides, it would make the holiday season even better, and it would give Sony even more space to breathe and to make a price drop before GTA4 comes out in the holidays (with a big EA shield, nonetheless). After all, if Sony catches up with Microsoft it would be excellent for us gamers, since it would spark the fiercest competition of all time in the game industry, perhaps even fiercer than Genesis VS Snes.

[HelloBabe69]

i'm gunna cut my penis off if it gets delayed

[Eromu]

Make sure you take pictures.

[HelloBabe69]

sh!t i will

[Varsarus]

hmm, don't think microsoft or sony will let that happen.

[Maddens Raiders]

I hate EA, please forgive me Father.

[TurdStationPee]

PAchter is funny.

[Fat Bastard]

Turdstation Pee is a retarded noob cunt

[PimpHandHappy]

GTA4 will be the last game i buy from them

COUNT ON IT

i would say all gamers should boycot EA and crush them into dirt but it wont happen.

if they did this i would never play madden again and i would trade in the few EA games i have. CYA burnout

I might miss out on some games but i dont care...ive waited this long and if these greedy pole sitters tried to delay the game just to make more money they need to get smacked. Without the gamers EA is nothing

[RebelExtrm02]

I would cancel my preorder if they post pone this game. I refuse to wait any longer because a company is greedy.

[Ovidius]

All of us N4G members need to call EA at the same time(dunno which branch to call) and say "Don't Buy Take Two... A**Hats!" and then ramble on about how annoying and stupid and evil and monopoly-like they are...

[Sarick]

That's about like a street of mom & pop shops telling Walmart they don't want competition in their area.

Money is what drives these things and one or 100 thousand people calling and telling a company not to make money is like someone telling you to go on a hunger strike because they don't want you to eat. To survive you must eat and no matter what people want your not going to starve yourself so someone else can benefit. As a big company this is business suicide.

Unless you have something like a well organised boycott or legal action simply calling and complaining has very little effect, especially if the outcome would hurt company growth.

[Tarmgar]

Let's all burn down the EA headquarters! Them and their monopolizing!

[brothersimon]

NOO! :(

[kingOVsticks]

if this happens I am personally going 2 shove my foot so far up Patcher Scrawny ass until he has a aftertaste of timberland boot on his tongue for the next few months. He deserves it not only for the delay but for that god forsaken water tattoo he had at that e3 a while back >_<....He pisses me sooooooooo much.

[butterfinger]

This information should be pretty obvious to anyone who has been keeping up with the EA-Take Two situation. I don't understand why this guy gets paid to say things that most of us on this site could already tell you. Take Two really wants to release GTAIV without EA's name on those boxes. I find it interesting that he never considers that Take Two would possibly release the game a week or two early if they thought a hostile take over was going to ensue. I, for one, hope that the game comes out on April 29, as planned, and as polished as possible by that date. Damn EA, they are ruining all of our favorite games. How long until we see an EA logo on an MGS box or GOW box? Somebody needs to step in and protect the developers.

[Prototype]

Sounds like a publicity stunt or a way to hype the game even more.

However if they did delay the game I will cancel my pre-order (I have both the 360 and PS3 special edition versions) and boycott EA 100% even if it means missing out on some games; I refuse to support a company who wants to "hold" a game just to build even more player base to rival Halo 3. To them thats one person gone but to me thats another $120+ another company will see who actually supports their customers.

[Hydrollex]

If yes, then BS.

Microsoft is full of sh!t.

STFU Microsoft. Just STFU you already look bad

[LONEWOLF231]

They better not MESS with GTA 4s release date!!!!!

[TrevorPhillips]

oh noo u dont EA ive been waiting for this game over 4years and i wont let u delay it u bastards

[7h3ultim8p00]

AAAA FUK YOU EA!!!

[Silent]

to JUNE 12 :D

[TrevorPhillips]

ohh hell no im not waiting june 12 matter of fact they wont release it june 12 cause 2 good games come out on that date battlefield bad company and metal gear solid 4

[power of Green]

What a f@ggot ass pic some stupid ass fanboy submitted. What's Peter Moore have to do with PS3's inferior hardware?.

[harv711]

Ya I know what you mean about the PS3's hardware being inferior, I mean it's got at least what, a less than 1% failure rate? The 360 has a way better percentage, with a lot less failure rate then... err wait... thats right, its the 360 that fails all the time. I forgot, cause that's not reported almost constantly. You must of forgot too.

[power of Green]

Seems odd to show P.M. in relation to the delay after RockStar admitted the PS3 was largely to blaim before they changed their story and blaimed it on Multiplayer.

WTF are you talking about?, whats hardware that doesn't have failure issues have to do with hardware that isn't as capable as the 360 hardware?.

I thought it was strange my comment was in relation to the delay whats failure rates have to do with it?.

You do know the real reason the title was delayed right?(the truth the original statement given by RockStar).

[harv711]

"WTF are you talking about?, whats hardware that doesn't have failure issues have to do with hardware that isn't as capable as the 360 hardware?."

Ok follow me here, because it seems I need to explain my comment to you. My comment of failure rate was because you are calling the PS3's hardware inferior.

"You do know the real reason the title was delayed right?(the truth the original statement given by RockStar."

Yes I have read that, I realize that its taken more time to program for the PS3, but that doesn't correlate to it being an inferior hardware, just that its more complicated. What does make something inferior is if it is out of date or faulty. Neither system is out of date, but it's the 360 that is faulty. And where my comment does have nothing to do with this story, it does have a direct link to your comment as its in response to it.

If you wanted it to stay on topic, then you should of stayed on topic. If your going to take cheap shots, then expect to get them back.

[Varsarus]

That's got to be one of your worst comments to put in "What's Peter Moore have to do with PS3's inferior hardware" rofl.

The 360 is the inferior hardware, it's CPU "Xenon" is a p!ss poor comparision with the Cell, the RSX & Xenos are equivalent (stated by the Burnout developers) but we don't know much about the RSX & what it is capable of, The 360's RAM (700Mhz), again is a p!ss poor comparision to the ps3's XDR RAM which is blazing fast (3.2Ghz) & Blu-ray, no comment (lol).

So what were you saying?

But dude, seriously, that statement from Rockstar was like in January? it's only 21 days until release so please, give it a rest.

[kalel333]

Man I really really really hate EA !!

[jkhan]

I hate EA. Seriously they are gonna screw the franchise. They are gonna make us pay extra money just for drunk driving etc. I swear to god if EA delays the game, I will never buy another EA game ever. (Except for GTA4)

[media73]

This could happen, to make way for battlefield bad company'

[Chuk5]

It could be delayed. But it's really hard for me to believe that because of how much hype and weight they have put on the day 29/IV/08.All in all,I don't think this will happen review builds are already out. It's to late E.E.A(evil electronic arts)to get their hands on it and delay it.

[stuntman_mike]

remember what E.A did with army of two they sent out review code and then pulled the game at the last minute so i wouldnt bet against them doing it.

[BlackCountryBob]

yes but there is a difference. Firstly, no-one gave a damn about Army of Two, there had been no adverts for it and it was about to get some of the worst reviews possible for a game!

GTA4 will not be delayed, in the next couple of days it will go gold and by next Wednesday there will be 8million copies of the game printed ready to ship to stores. Simply put, Pachter is talking out of his butt. He makes a fundamental misunderstanding of business and the process of takeovers if he thinks EA can complete a 100% takeover and delay the game in 7-10 days, especially a hostile takeover.

[Cop_Boy]

awesome sh*t man harv711 ... i bet power of crap wont response quickly cos his gone to collect his xbug360 after being raped by RROD

[THE TERMINATOR]

POG your an idiot.
GTA IV is better on PS3 now go eat some horse sh!t.

[stuntman_mike]

one thing if E.A do take over Take Two you can kiss goodbye to that ps3 exclusive game that rockstar was gonna do.

[sleepbox]

Dispite what Mr Patcher believes, GTA4 will be the most lucrative title of this year by far regardless of when it is released. There is no way this title is going to be delayed again. People would completely riot at EA's headquarters if this were the case

[waldopepper]

lol at all the 'hate EA' comments - fair enough if you hate them generally, but in this case you're judging them because someone said if EA buy Take-Two and if they delay GTA IV.

Just to clear up this is one persons OPINION about what MIGHT happen if something else POTENTIALLY happens.

There is no way they would delay the most anticipated game of this generation of consoles especially now the official release date has been announced to the public.

[Surfman]

EA is a cancer for the gaming industry.

[Matpan]

Delaying a ready to release game on the first quarter to the fourth... It would make the hype die a out a little bit... not that people won´t buy it... eventually everyone that would buy it in April probably would. but it would give EA a bad name, and probably consumers would take it on them. Not a wise business practice, bad for consumer loyalty... not that EA cares to begin with... so hsahahaah

[Crazyglues]

oh they better NOT!! that's all I got to say about that!! they better NOT!!!!!

[Shortstop]

Why are there 1 or 2 disagrees for every anti-EA comment? Wonder if Pachter said this so that he could come here and disagree with everyone, and do it anonymously. You gotta admit: that's the type of thing only an EA employee would do.

[muhameds]

Hands off GTA EA!!!

[Don Ahid]

EA MESSED UP THEIR NFS AND NOW TRYING TO MESS UP GTA WHT GAME WILL THEY TARGET NEXT????

[Don Ahid]

I HATE EA FOR WHT THEY HAVE DONE TO NFS AND TRYING TO DO TO GTA

[Microshaft]

Ea should die, but im still buying BFBC and GTA if they buy T2, other than that im never buying a sports game from them again!!!!!

THE TERMINATOR. XBOX 360 DLC is all i have to say so shut ur pisstation 3 trap.

[Horny Melon]

no matter when it is released. It will do great now and it will get a good bump in the fall. It's a system seller.

[budbundystyles]

I'm going to go ahead and file this under not going to happen.

[andron]

EA would like their name on the box, but it would hurt GTA more to postpone it.

I don't see any positive in releasing GTAIV later. There is more competition in the christmas period. And I doubt they would sell any more as the hype is nearing climax now...

[Adamalicious]

That's retarded. GTAIV will be the best selling game this year no matter when it comes out.

[Rhezin]

If this is so then NOTHING will take up the time before NGII comes out. Ghey, EA wants to damn much.

[Angelitos]

EA should shove a cd up their a$$.

[phalanges]

They better know what's good for them. I see mass chaos from fans. This goes for R* as well.

[J@D]

Look like someone want to cancel my pre-order for another game instead of this... ^__^

Hopefully Take-Two won't sell the company to them on first place and keep a great balance on this gaming industry that it's going to fall if EA still buy up every single gaming company out there.

That's my personal opinions friends... but it's the truth.

^__^

[Mikey Mike]

it violates a freaking federal ethics code. EA would face a federal lawsuit.

[Xcal2k3]

One of the analyst said it would be a bad business choice if it were delayed again. They need to release on the 29th in order make profits or they will lose considerable amounts of money. On the other hand, if EA would supply the funds to hold out on R* development and its team and allowed payment to the developers to further the development, than they can do so, but i doubt EA would spend the money, its already too much in spending now and Microsoft also comes into the picture since they placed that 50million down on down loadable content which they are counting on and is to be available by fall, they could lose business partnership over this ordeal. Its too much of a hassle just to get a few more months of development to probly add in maybe 2 or 3 new pieces of game play aspects into the game. Not worth it, dont worry about this.