‘Grand Theft Auto V’ Delay Fuels Next Generation Rumors

Is Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V headed to the Xbox 720 and Playstation 4?

The recent delay of the highly-anticipated open world adventure has caused many folks to wonder if the game is being delayed for the next generation of consoles. Both Microsoft and Sony are reportedly set to debut the new machines before the end of this year.

According to the Computer and Video Games, a recent statement released by Cowen & Company analyst Doug Creutz theorizes that Rockstar could be prepping GTA V for the new wave of consoles that are just around the corner.

Creutz wrote in the research note:

“In and of itself, the delay of the game from FQ1 to FQ2 would not normally mean any significant change to expected FY14 financial results.

“However there is an issue in that we expect the next generation of Xbox and/or PlayStation consoles to launch in the December quarter. We think the closer proximity of ‘GTA V’ to the next cycle could, at the margin, impact lifetime sales of the title, though we believe that a title of ‘GTA’s’ stature will still be a major seller regardless.

“We think there also could be some impact on the legs of likely ‘GTA V’ downloadable content as the next-gen installed base increases through 2014. However, we suspect Take-Two may have plans to eventually publish ‘GTA V’ on the next set of consoles in some form to offset this.”

Enstars reports that Rockstar hasn’t completely ruled out releasing Grand Theft Auto V for the PC and the Wii U. This has led some folks to wonder if the company is using this delay to put together ports of the title for other platforms. Until Rockstar says one way or the other, it’s best to take this information with a grain of salt.

Although the game was originally slated to arrive this spring, Grand Theft Auto V is now scheduled to hit retail on September 17. Are you disappointed about the game’s delay?