Analyst: GTA IV to outsell Halo 3

Is there any game out there that can match Halo 3‘s copy-for-copy selling power? According to industry analyst Mice Hickey, there’s one good bet: Rockstar Games’ upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3). Hickey says that in addition to going cross-platform, GTA IV has the advantage in marketing strategy. Find out more in the full article.

Is there any video game release in the near future that can topple industry juggernaut Halo 3 from its pedestal? According to Janco partners analyst Mike Hickey, it’s almost a foregone conclusion. His bet? Rockstar Games’ controversial and highly-anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3).

“Maybe the first week GTA IV sales won’t do what Halo 3 did, but I can almost guarantee they’ll probably outsell Halo 3 in the first year,” said the analyst.

It can be recalled that Bungie and Microsoft made gaming history last September when Halo #@%!4
5#@%! racked up an astounding US$ 300 million in its first week out. Attributed as vital parts of its success were the advertising and merchandising campaigns that accompanied it.

However, Hickey says that Rockstar’s alternate hype method may work better. The more discreet teasing, he says, may prove more effective than Halo 3‘s in-your-face ways that even included a boy band music video titled “Halo Nights”. Throw in the fact that this chapter of the series is going multiplatform, and Hickey could very well be spot on.

Grand Theft Auto Iv‘s main character Niko Bellic is already in icon status months before the game’s actual launch. Screenshots and videos of the game have helped showcase fans what they’ll get with their impending purchase.

Controversy has always been the selling point of the Grand Theft Auto franchise and its next-gen installment seeks to take notoriety to new heights. In addition to car-jacking and gang-related activities, players can patronize strip clubs, go on dates, meet people online, and do pretty much whatever they want.

Buy: [Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3)]

Via Canadian Press