PS3 News: Grand Theft Auto Won't Become An Annual Tradition - PS3 News

Members Login: Register | Why sign up? | Forgot Password?

Grand Theft Auto Won't Become An Annual Tradition

You may not have noticed, but some of the biggest franchises in the world are now releasing on an annual basis. EA's Madden and Activision's Call of Duty are a few examples, but Take-Two won't be taking that approach with Grand Theft Auto.

As he said yesterday during an investor call, Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick reminds us that it takes a lot of time to make "triple-A" games, and they don't plan on annualizing GTA any time soon. He did say he likes the idea of "testing new formats and platforms" (referring to the DLC expansions for the Xbox 360 and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the DS and PSP), but as far as GTA is concerned, we will have to continue to wait patiently. In fact, Zelnick spoke about the need for consumer "appetite;" i.e., how long should they wait in order to put that appetite through the roof? Perhaps the reason he was asked about making GTA a yearly thing is because Take-Two's latest financial update says they won't be meeting their goal for 2010...and oh yeah, this was a "GTA-less" year. They cite more losses from their 2K baseball franchise and let's not forget that several titles were pushed out of 2010. But even so, they ain't rushing GTA. Not ever.

Zelnick also mentioned "the resiliency of the franchise," in that people will always know and remember the name, regardless of development length. That's certainly true, of course, but these publishers that are doing annual launches of massive franchises are just swimming in cash. Tough to ignore that from a business standpoint.

12/4/2009 10:47:56 AM Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google Share on MySpace Share on Delicious Share on Digg Share on Google Buzz Share via E-Mail Share via Tumblr Share via Posterous

Comments (34 posts)

Highlander
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:04:50 AM
Reply

So, they're saying 'No!' to Grand Theft Hero 5?

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 1:20:13 PM

And Grand Theft DJ

Agree with this comment 1 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

Alienange
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 5:54:22 PM

You guys made me lol.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Gone
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 9:06:48 PM

Don't forget Grand Theft Rock Band: Rolling Stones.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 2 down Disagree with this comment

556pineapple
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:15:52 AM
Reply

It's good not to over-saturate. If they released a new main GTA game every year, I'd be pretty sick of them by now.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

JPBooch
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:29:49 AM
Reply

"As he said yesterday during an investor call, Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick reminds us that it takes a lot of time to make "triple-A" games"

In the immortal words of Drake "Thanks alot Captain Obvious"

Yes, even Call of Duty takes two years for each developer.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Zorigo
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:42:40 AM

what a quote

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:57:11 AM

Off topic I know, but you mentioned Drake and a quote, and I thought of this...

One of the better lines in any Uncharted game came from Flynn.

There's a guy above you! There's a guy above you!...pause...There's a guy below you! There's a guy below you!

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

laxpro2001
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 12:24:03 PM

That quote in this heist with Flynn was one of my favorites as well... so many comical moment in that game!

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

I_defenestrate
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 2:49:09 PM

Too right, that game made me laugh out loud many a time. I don't know if anyone else does this, but when I'm by myself, I generally don't laugh out loud unless it really tickles my funny bone. When something does, and that game did quite a few times, it's a good sign.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

www
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 5:02:42 PM

Lol Uncharted 2 is just an instant classic. Playing it on Crushing now, this time as Flynn or Elena.

Yea Ben we know its off topic, allow us, I know you wish to join the convo too ;)

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Alienange
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 5:58:10 PM

Oh hot damn! I didn't recognize you there TheHighlander. That line was hilarious. In fact I found all of Drake and Flynn's interactions were just fantastic and made me laugh several times.
"oh look, a statue of your mother." LOL

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:29:34 PM

@Alienage

Yep, it's me. Taking a break from Kosmos for the equally fabulous Mizuho Kazami. Though I must find a more 'KOS_MOS' like image of her...

U2 is laugh out loud funny a lot of the time, I think it's one of the things that build the game to the heights that it reaches.

On topic, games that release annually very quickly get tired and annoying, especially to repeat buyers who are fed up buying the same game again and again. That said, a sequel every two years or so would work nicely. So, hopefully Uncharted 3 will make it's way to us during 2011. Though I bet we'll still be replaying the first two even then.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Highlander
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:27:35 AM

Oh well, it's Mizuho, but she's got more of a Shion vibe than a KOS-MOS one.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bridgera
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:57:53 AM
Reply

The best games aren't the ones with sequeled releases every year, and anyone that buys every single Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, or Dynasty Warriors iteration is a fool (or knows and just doesn't care that they are getting the exact same game).

I like that they take some time between releases. Personally, I find expansions via DLC or a 2nd disc more interesting than a meaningless sequel.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

BTNwarrior
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 12:02:17 PM

well I'm a sucker for the Call of Duty games, I have to admit I stopped buying music games after Rock Band came out, the DLC was just so great I thought why would I need to buy another music game again

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Fane1024
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 6:07:19 PM

BTN

RB2 improves a lot of small things. If you can get it where you live, you really should. And all your DLC will still work.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bOnEs
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 12:04:19 PM
Reply

it's nice to see that R* doesn't take shortcuts when it comes to their games... the only bad game i can remember from DMA/R* was "state of emergency"... for the most part i've played great games from them, they take can as long as they need to put out a title...

i thought when take-two became their parent company that they would force R* to pump GTA's out every year... the houser's sure know how to take control of their own company...

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 1:22:04 PM

State of emergency was actually kind of fun if not full of depth and meaning.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bOnEs
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 3:50:12 PM

it was fun for the first 10 minutes until i realized i was doing the same thing every 5 minutes...

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

laxpro2001
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 12:20:01 PM
Reply

Good... take some time to make this next one not the most overrated piece of garbage.

Loved every entry until IV :(
Last edited by laxpro2001 on 12/4/2009 12:20:15 PM

Agree with this comment 6 up, 3 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 1:23:51 PM
Reply

Nice to hear, I was afraid they would go the way of CoD and just reskin. It's bad enough it didn't go exclusive for the cell+blu ray win. Give me Agent and LA Noire and they can take all the time they want with GTA5.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

bigrailer19
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 2:06:07 PM
Reply

im kind of over Grand Theft Auto. Now let me explain myself lol cus that sounds bad. What i mean is im glad they dont want to make it annually because its really the same formula. i most certainly will buy GTA V, and i like 4 it was ok i had my fun with it. but Vice City was my favorite.

What im trying to get at in short is its the same theory over and over, and if it was annually i would begin to get bored! Good Decision on their part!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/4/2009 2:07:09 PM

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 3:44:00 PM

I know what you mean, the shock and awe of the concept is over with. GTA is more of a party game for me where it is best played with a bunch of people and a bunch of beer with everyone doing their best to outdo eachother in the crazy criminal rampage and police chases than anything else. I'll still get GTAV too, but they should try to get that old feeling back somehow that GTA3 and it's spinoffs gave us.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

tlpn99
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 2:31:04 PM
Reply

I agree it is good that is not annually. Plus imagine how mediocre would the game be. I would rather wait and it be good than for it to be rubbish and rushed.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

I_defenestrate
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 2:55:02 PM
Reply

It's sad when a company does something a little different that strays from the norm and get reemed for it by fans. GTA IV is a gem. You guys say you don't want cookie cutter games and yet you hate this one for not being a cookie cutter GTA. They changed it up a bit. Give them some credit. Imagine what they'll do with the next one..

Agree with this comment 5 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bOnEs
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 3:57:28 PM

that's what i've been preaching to all the haters over the last couple of years... GTAIV was built from scratch, whereas vice city and SA were built off the III engine...

just wait and see how good the next couple of GTA's will look and feel... i am sure they will blow you away just like the other ones did... i mean, just look at the DLC's for 360... those add-ons added some really cool game features that i've been waiting to play...

R* has the template now (GTAIV), give them a chance to build upon it before you start bashing it...

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Hezzron
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 5:04:27 PM

Amen brothers, amen!

There are a few but rather vocal individuals here that love to put down great epic games like GTAIV and MW2. It must be like a little support group for them here, because it's rare to find that kind of hate elsewhere.

I chalk it up to a handful of narrow minded RPGites or juice-drinking Sony cultist extremists that refuse to like games that have chosen to lean a little more the 360's way, which those 2 games have done with DLC and an add campaign respectively. I'm just happy to be able to play those quality games on the PS3.

Anyways, don't give up on the few haters. Like Darth Vader, I believe there's still some good in them.
Last edited by Hezzron on 12/4/2009 5:14:26 PM

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Alienange
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 6:05:03 PM

Well hold on here gentlemen. I see what you're saying and I certainly don't hate any GTA (200 pigeons ftw!), but I must say one thing. Because of the success of GTAs there are many imitators out there. Those imitators have added game features (a damn car garage for one!) that GTA has never had and seems to not even consider when making the next iteration of its game. R* seems a little complacent in its releases of GTA and I think that leads to a lot of people "hating" on it as you say.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Lairfan
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 4:42:36 PM
Reply

Meh. GTA has never really been my kind of game. Its good that they're taking their time with it, but its not my cup of tea.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

www
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 5:06:25 PM
Reply

I don't think I'd be bored if it came every year, I buy FIFA every year and I love GTA better than FIFA, so I don't see it getting boring. But its a good thing they take so much time before releasing a sequel, so there's a HUGE difference between the old and new.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Alienange
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 6:11:27 PM
Reply

I'm sensing some thinly veiled BS from R* here. No, they won't release a numbered GTA every year, but there HAS been more GTA products in a year than ever before hasn't there? Two over priced expansions and two hand held games in one year. I'm thinking R* smells all kinds of money and will make it's numbered "major" releases go the full distance.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

godsman
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 9:51:54 PM
Reply

It doesn't matter if there is a GTA V or not. They will be using GTA 4 engine. They pretty much pushed the ability of a DVD to the limit already. I doubt it will benefit the PS3 gamers at all. Plus, I'm surprised at how many people actually finished that game, shooting those flying rats. There's no need for another GTA anytime soon.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

___________
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:41:30 AM
Reply

yearly tradition?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
thats hilarious!
R* could not make a game in 1 year if their life depended on it.
look at GTAIV how many times was that set back, and it still sucked.
look at max payne 3 how many times has that been set back.
look at red dead redemption how many times has that been set back.
even if they could make a GTA game in 1 year which they cant i would not want them to do so.
because, theres only so much you can do in 1 year, open world games take time.
only sucker punch can create such a good open world game, in such little time.

Agree with this comment 0 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

Leave a Comment

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Sponsor

Our Poll

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
No, but I'll get one eventually.
No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
No, I've already got one.

Previous Poll Results