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Grand Theft Auto IV delayed until 2008
by Nick Chester on 08.02.2007 91 comments

It seems Santa's videogame load this holiday season just got a bit lighter. In a financial update today, Take-Two has announced that the release of Grand Theft Auto IV has been pushed back until next year.

Take-Two is reducing its fiscal 2007 guidance primarily to reflect the movement of the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008, due to additional development time required to complete the title. The title is now planned for release in the Company’s second quarter of fiscal 2008.

It should be noted that while this date shuffle appears to be financially motivated, Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two, hints at development roadblocks as well. 

"With Grand Theft Auto IV, Rockstar is setting a new standard for next-generation videogames," he says. "Certain elements of development proved to be more time-intensive than expected, especially given the commitment for a simultaneous release on two very different platforms."

Grand Theft Auto IV was originally slated for a November release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.



Latest comment by Aragorn |view all 91 comments
Thanks so much for this! This is exactly what I was looking for ...





BuckF1tches's Avatar
BuckF1tches at 08/02/2007 16:24

Begin speculation: Did the PS3 or 360 cause the delay?
Deadly Cyclone's Avatar
Deadly Cyclone at 08/02/2007 16:24

Hey! I sent you guys this story via e-mail! woot.
Pedro Blandino's Avatar
Pedro Blandino at 08/02/2007 16:25

wth, i want that set in the picture o.o!
Jayeugene's Avatar
Jayeugene at 08/02/2007 16:26

I am not amused.
Ritalin Twitch's Avatar
Ritalin Twitch at 08/02/2007 16:27

im guessing sixaxis prostitute strangulation minigame took extra time to get just right. Several weeks more of field research were necessary.
Justin Villasenor's Avatar
Justin Villasenor at 08/02/2007 16:27

All I can muster right now is a disappointed "Gah".
kawitchate's Avatar
kawitchate at 08/02/2007 16:28

Game of the Year 2007 just became Game of the Year 2008.

sad panda.
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 08/02/2007 16:28

Huh... what? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
kawitchate's Avatar
kawitchate at 08/02/2007 16:29

holy shit i just looked closer - SECOND quarter 08? wtf?
908peruvian's Avatar
908peruvian at 08/02/2007 16:29

HAHAHAHA!!

JUST FREAKIN GREAT!

I CANT EVEN GET MAD ANYMORE...
I WENT FULL CIRCLE BACK TO HAPPY!!
Professor Pew's Avatar
Professor Pew at 08/02/2007 16:31

Heh, I totally missed the Q2 part as well :)
DLC in FY2009?
Hamza CTZ Aziz's Avatar
Hamza CTZ Aziz at 08/02/2007 16:32

Well at least I want have to rush through the game so I can play Halo 3 in time like I did with San Andreas to play Halo 2.
Mike Maloney's Avatar
Mike Maloney at 08/02/2007 16:32

I guess I should be mad, but there are so many damn games coming out this fall that I'm actually glad one of them is getting pushed to next year.
blackacidevil's Avatar
blackacidevil at 08/02/2007 16:33

that's fucked up. i already wasted my fucking money reserving it, now its fucking delayed.
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 08/02/2007 16:36

Thanks to everyone who sent this tip in! I was writing it up as a bunch came in!
bruceleethree's Avatar
bruceleethree at 08/02/2007 16:37

NOT BUYING IT GOODBYE
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 08/02/2007 16:39

Thanks to everyone who sent this tip in! I was writing it up as a bunch came in!
pattern's Avatar
pattern at 08/02/2007 16:40

What about us PC gamers? Wait another 2 years after the first console relase?

I remember back in the day when GTA was PC exclusive... those were the good days...
Extreme_Drunk's Avatar
Extreme_Drunk at 08/02/2007 16:42

...GG Rockstar.
JDevL's Avatar
JDevL at 08/02/2007 16:43

Makes looking back at Microsoft's E3 press conference pretty entertaining now. Resting the whole thing on the big 3 of Halo, GTA, and Madden - to get the biggest holiday season ever. Hmm, maybe we should have focused more on the future of the system and not relied so heavily on promoting just 3rd parties and Halo.

dvddesign 's Avatar
dvddesign at 08/02/2007 16:48

I just remembered. Peter Moore's tattoo just got a lot more valuable. Ebay the arm?

DarkTravesty's Avatar
DarkTravesty at 08/02/2007 16:49

I'm happy actually i've already gotten over a $500 game list for the holidays that i need to buy. :S
Xeniteone's Avatar
Xeniteone at 08/02/2007 16:51

Well, poo. I was hoping to be stomping hookers just as Santa slid down the chimney.
jerrt's Avatar
jerrt at 08/02/2007 16:53

you know, if waiting makes the game that much better, i don't mind. seriously though, if everyone would just start setting release dates further in the future, they wouldn't have to post delay's and if they manage to get it done early, they can release it early. i know it isn't as simple as that, but how many games have been delayed this week alone? this is getting ridiculous. i wasn't a console owner when the ps2 then the xbox came out, so i didn't pay too much attention to game release schedules, but when that new technology came out was there this same rampant miscalculation of development time that we have seen in this new generation of consoles? i know things are getting more difficult to program for, but you would think that all the dev teams would have realized this by now and stated stating release dates to accommodate such things.

if there is one thing technology, and specifically gaming, has taught me is that good things come to those that wait patiently. being upset because shit happens, just means a short life for you.

i'm going to end up waiting for this game, i want it, i want the special addition, and i want it for my ps3. end of line
Quest's Avatar
Quest at 08/02/2007 16:59

Ritalin Twitch says:
08/02/2007 16:27
im guessing sixaxis prostitute strangulation minigame took extra time to get just right. Several weeks more of field research were necessary.

no i think they're trying to find a way to be able this fit huge game on a simple dvd9 ... oh wait only the 360 have old dvd players to read games right :-////

next time shut up you little punk
Grapefruit Juice's Avatar
Grapefruit Juice at 08/02/2007 16:59

trying to squeeze it on to a DVD FTW!
Darkknight37's Avatar
Darkknight37 at 08/02/2007 17:00

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

But seriously, it's not all that bad. We're looking at potentially the greatest holiday season for games ever, so that's one less game I have to get. S'all good, baby.
h3lios's Avatar
h3lios at 08/02/2007 17:01

At first i was shocked and angered all at once. Then i realized that this isn't such a bad thing after all considering that this year we've got Crysis, Bioshock, Blue Dragon, Eternal Sonata ( i think), Mass Effect, Halo 3, UT 2007, Heavenly Sword, Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3,Orange Box, GoW for the PC, Rachet & Clank : Tools of Destruction and a bunch of other titles to play.

Great move on their part. Now the other games get more of my time.
Zanch's Avatar
Zanch at 08/02/2007 17:01

I'm perfectly ok with this. There's too many games coming this fall as it is, and now I'll at least have time to play them in earnest. *waits anxiously for Mass Effect*
jerrt's Avatar
jerrt at 08/02/2007 17:02

Quest: you comment makes you sound like the little punk. ritalin was just trying to be funny. [i know i would want to be told]
dr3nd4r's Avatar
dr3nd4r at 08/02/2007 17:05

You're Fuckin Kiddin me!

This was supposed to be the game of the year to me

Cocks to you, Rockstar
teknomusik's Avatar
teknomusik at 08/02/2007 17:07

Oh well... more time for Mass Effect.
tazarthayoot's Avatar
tazarthayoot at 08/02/2007 17:09

I see it as a blessing for a few reasons.

For starters, the 360 line up is already extremely convoluted with great titles in the next 4 months, and my cashflow is not endless. Being able to get this game much later, after I've had time to catch up on all the other great titles, helps me to not feel overwhelmed by all the available games.

Secondly, I have never known Rockstar to deliver a subpar GTA experience, and, as far I can remember, they've always delivered it the day they initally said they would. GTA being delayed like this just means that, on top of possible development issues being addressed, we'll get a much better, much more polished title.

I think I can wait the 6 months to get this title, especially if it means the game will be even better than it already was going to be.
Zanch's Avatar
Zanch at 08/02/2007 17:09

Hey Quest, go back to waiting for your mediocre exclusives like Lair and lighten up, ya douche.
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 08/02/2007 17:11

I was so expecting this. It was too good to be true we'd get it this year. I'm bummed
SeventhSense's Avatar
SeventhSense at 08/02/2007 17:11

From Take-Two Ceo : "We are sorry to all of our fans about the delay, but it was something that had to be done. Due to the heavy amount of complaints and political backlash GTAIV was recieving our programmers are being forced to remove all african american zombies from the game and are replacing them with average white middle-class men. We are also changing the name from Grand Theft Auto to Grand Tax Evasion as the title might suggest that the crimes being commited are condoned by an african american male. Once again sorry for the delay and we hope that you will still be looking forward to our improved product when it is released in Quarter 3 of 2009.
ian_esq's Avatar
ian_esq at 08/02/2007 17:14

BULLSHIT
SR388's Avatar
SR388 at 08/02/2007 17:15

It is nice to see then taking extra time to get the game right. None the less I am suprised to see them move it from the oh so cozy and lucrative holiday season release. There are going to be alot of upset children who wont be able shiek in delight and glee of the happiness that is GTA.
Rogue Trooper's Avatar
Rogue Trooper at 08/02/2007 17:18

sunami88 Said: "...and they said that Half Life 2's release date hadnt been announced so I could only preorder GTA IV..."

What the frell? It's been known for weeks that Episode 2 is coming out on October 9.
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 08/02/2007 17:18

I felt a great disturbance in gaming, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.
The_Psychopsilocybin's Avatar
The_Psychopsilocybin at 08/02/2007 17:25

Well that gives me time to get my 360 fixed.
dv8withn8's Avatar
dv8withn8 at 08/02/2007 17:27

Never cared for any GTA game in the first place. But wait... oh, nope, still not caring.
SLiFE's Avatar
SLiFE at 08/02/2007 17:27

About that whole "Q2 2008" thing: it's the 2nd quarter of Take-Two's fiscal year, Which begins Nov.1 of 2007.
Q1 ends Jan.31. This puts GTA IVs release date between Feb.1 and April 30.
parrothead's Avatar
parrothead at 08/02/2007 17:27

That gives me a reason to wait to get my PS3 until Christmas or later!
SLiFE's Avatar
SLiFE at 08/02/2007 17:30

And you know who's probably loving this? EB/Gamestop.
That's an extra 4-6 months your $5 deposit is making them interest.
Magesx's Avatar
Magesx at 08/02/2007 17:30

NOOOOOOOOOO
mix's Avatar
mix at 08/02/2007 17:36

I just heard that LA Noire is to be the PS3 exclusive.....

http://gamers-creed.com/?p=195.


Not sure if site is valid or not, so don't bash me...lol
SR388's Avatar
SR388 at 08/02/2007 17:39

@Slife

Actually It could go either way for EB/Gamestop. I would not be suprised to see a good number of people cancel their pre-orders or put the money towards something else. However it does give all the customers more time to forget that the game is coming out, leaving them with mountains of unclaimed pre-ordered games and 5 dollar deposits.
Grapefruit Juice's Avatar
Grapefruit Juice at 08/02/2007 17:39

Im fine with it, gives me something to play during the desolate spring/summer no release season.
jerrt's Avatar
jerrt at 08/02/2007 17:39

@slife: that is why i now shop at a story that doesn't require money down to preorder. in my case, if i'm preordering, i'm really going to buy it.
Capn Birdseye's Avatar
Capn Birdseye at 08/02/2007 17:43

Like some of the rest of you said, there are a pantload of great titles coming out on 360 this holiday season, so I don't mind waiting till next year for this. I'm sure Two Worlds, Mass Effect, Halo 3, and Bioshock will take up enough time as it is.

Who knows, at this rate, even some of the lesser hyped titles might get a look in from me - stuff like Jericho etc.
Kaikara's Avatar
Kaikara at 08/02/2007 17:50

While my initial reaction to this news was pure shock, I came to the realisation that I've got enough games this Autumn on my plate anyway that in some ways I'm pleased. I don't want to split my game time between loads of games this Winter as it dampens the impact of each of them as an individual. It also lightens the load on my wallet slightly (also with my cancellation of H3 legendary preorder ;-) ) so maybe I'll have time/money for some of the lesser noticed titles this Winter. Plus the developers can polish the game further with the additional time so when I get it Q2 '08 I can have the best time possible with it. All in all this only good news for an already jam packed Autumn (/can't wait for Mass Effect and Episode 2!)
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 08/02/2007 17:57

Man, this is somewhat depressing, but as other people have mentioned, if they’re making a better game, so be it. Also, there will still be plenty of games I’ll be wanting to spend money on in the coming months, so this actually isn’t that bad for my wallet. Let’s see...

Madden NFL 08
Warhawk
Heavenly Sword
Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Assassin’s Creed
Rock Band

Shit, that’s $500 right there...
mix's Avatar
mix at 08/02/2007 18:01

Here another one, what is LA Noire? As no one seemed to care about my 1st post regarding it as it might be a PS3 exclusive...

but as long as they are fixing GTA I can totally wait!
cryocide's Avatar
cryocide at 08/02/2007 18:01

I wonder how hard it is to cram a next-gen game onto last-gen disc media...
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 08/02/2007 18:02

LA Noire was announced as PS3 only, so it would make sense that it's coming to PS3 only. :D
Quest's Avatar
Quest at 08/02/2007 18:04

@ jerrt says:
08/02/2007 17:02
Quest: you comment makes you sound like the little punk. ritalin was just trying to be funny. [i know i would want to be told]

i was joking too you know lolll ..... not !!!

savagesaladin's Avatar
savagesaladin at 08/02/2007 18:06

Awesome. I hope they delay Halo 3 also. I love other peoples misery.
mix's Avatar
mix at 08/02/2007 18:08

Lol thanks Nick, you are a straight gunning guy who tells it like it is....I'm just slow I guess...

Whats LA Noire anyways, never heard of it.
Quest's Avatar
Quest at 08/02/2007 18:11

Zanch says:
08/02/2007 17:09
Hey Quest, go back to waiting for your mediocre exclusives like Lair and lighten up, ya douche.

i'm sure they are too big to fit on a dvd9 oh wait the 360 is built with an old dvd player right ? noob
TheBrain's Avatar
TheBrain at 08/02/2007 18:27

In other news, my purchase of a PS3 or Xbox 360 has been pushed back until Q2 2008....ok, maybe not NEEEED MASS EFFECT!
kawitchate's Avatar
kawitchate at 08/02/2007 18:29

with so many games being delayed "last minute" lately, whether it be a few weeks or a few months, i would NOT be surprised if games like Mass Effect or Assassin's Creed (November releases) got pushed back to next year.

and suddenly our uber-autumn/winter becomes just your average autumn/winter.
Promagnum's Avatar
Promagnum at 08/02/2007 18:36

*adds boo.
mandlebaum123's Avatar
mandlebaum123 at 08/02/2007 18:56

can someone define fiscal '08? 2nd quarter fiscal '08 is later than 2nd quarter '08, right?
SLiFE's Avatar
SLiFE at 08/02/2007 19:29

@mandlebaum
I covered the whole fiscal '08 thing above, but I'll repost:

About that whole "Q2 2008" thing: it's the 2nd quarter of Take-Two's fiscal year, Which begins Nov.1 of 2007.
Q1 ends Jan.31. This puts GTA IVs release date between Feb.1 and April 30.
bipolar beers's Avatar
bipolar beers at 08/02/2007 20:09

breaking news: every game everyone wants this holiday season has either been delayed to 2009 or been banned indefinately due to violent imagery or being racist.
J03yyz's Avatar
J03yyz at 08/02/2007 20:17

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us</a><br/>
kittridge at 08/02/2007 20:42

The perfect way to end a really shitty day.. thanks Rockstar. JT was right, you are the anti-christ.
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us</a><br/>
kittridge at 08/02/2007 20:47

also, lmao @ seventhsense
Kent's Avatar
Kent at 08/02/2007 20:50

This was one I was most excited about. :(
Ignus's Avatar
Ignus at 08/02/2007 21:45

Fuck.
Ignus's Avatar
Ignus at 08/02/2007 21:45

Fuck.
mandlebaum123's Avatar
mandlebaum123 at 08/02/2007 21:48

Thanks slife. That is the silver lining to this very gloomy news.
cbebop007's Avatar
cbebop007 at 08/02/2007 22:41

I don't have enough tears to effectively show my sadness.
goodgamer77's Avatar
goodgamer77 at 08/03/2007 00:05

They probably had Super-Hookers or something that the ESRB gave a big WTF to.

Stoopid Super-Hookers...
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 08/03/2007 00:12

Somehow I'll manage to live.
Morrius's Avatar
Morrius at 08/03/2007 02:41

Bahhh, sucks to be us. Oh well, still another 20-odd 360 games between now and christmas that look great. Gta4 was coming out on my birthday though. :(
NinjaX's Avatar
NinjaX at 08/03/2007 05:09

I don't mind it being delayed. It gives us more time to play the games that will come between now and Christmas, and more time to enjoy GTA4 when it comes out.