Grand Theft Auto IV

Just found this interesting that GTAIV cost about US$100 million to make as claimed on several game news websites. Just as a comparison all 3 Lord of the Rings movies cost US$300 million for production + US$130M for prints and advertising (total of $430 million). Assuming Rockstar are going to make the normal 3 GTA games this generation with a similar budget making very close to a blockbuster movie showing that the gaming industry has really grown up, making games a serious entertainment medium.

Only if the Australian government stopped thinking it is only for kids (MA15+ is our maximum rating) and not a serious entertainment medium like film is (30% tax break for film companies but not for game companies).

the normal 3 GTA games

What about Liberty and Vice City Stories?

Since they have done the stories series once, manly for the PSP, I am not sure if they are going to do it again.

$500 million in the first week. Five hundred. Million.

Granted, comparisons to film (like this beating out every film's opening week) aren't quite fair, considering the price is higher, audience lower, and this is a final purchase (you aren't going to "go back and see it again" like you would to a movie, aren't going to buy the DVD later), but still, damn. Costs officially justified.

That's a huge accomplishment for Rockstar. They deserve every cent of it too. Too bad this might actually be the last great GTA if the Electronic Arts merge goes ahead.

If EA was smart they will just let Rockstar carry on doing what they have been doing as they have proved that they can make very profitable games.

Why do that then they could throttle the competition in its sleep like they did with Origin, Westwood, etc?

Ex falso quodlibet

:)