Looks like Grand Theft Auto IV will take a back seat for the moment as Take Two Interactive Software Inc. dropped a bomb, claiming that it will delay the release of that title by up to six months at worst. In conjunction with such news, the company has duly lowered its forecasts through the end of its fiscal year. This will be a big blow to the company since it would mean missing out on the frenetic holiday shopping season that has long been considered as a bastion of surefire sales for game makers.

When exactly will the game be released? No one really knows to date, but it will probably fall somewhere in the second quarter of the 2008 fiscal year. Slated for a simultaneous release on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 consoles, this is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year and such news will definitely cause a furore among gamers. Take-Two Chief Executive Ben Feder has issued a statement in order to relieve concerns about a delay leaving the company in a negative position. “Other than a matter of timing, the movement of ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ does not compromise Take-Two in any way,” he said. “We are in sound financial condition and have a great product lineup.”

I certainly don’t buy that - a franchise as hot as Grand Theft Auto might do well when released during the non-holiday season, but throw in the madness and frenzy of the latter and you are bound to see sales skyrocket through the roof. Well, one man’s gain is another man’s loss, and in this case Take Two Interactive will certainly cede some ground to rival game makers. It now remains to be seen whether they take the initiative to seize the opportunity presented on a silver platter.

Source: Market Watch

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