EA, Activision to benefit from GTA delay

Electronic Arts and Activision are the two publishers set to benefit the most from Grand Theft Auto IV's no-show this Christmas retail season.

With Rockstar's latest title originally due for release in October but now delayed until Q2 2008, analyst firm Nollenberger Capital Partners believes that as much as USD 500 million in consumer spend could now be available for other blockbuster releases.

"We believe the lack of GTA IV this holiday season is a clear positive for Take-Two's competitors, namely EA and Activision,â said analyst Todd Greenwald.

"We estimate that roughly USD 400 to USD 500 million in consumers wallets will be freed up to spend on other hardcore games."

The company singled out forthcoming titles Call of Duty 4, Medal of Honor: Airbourne, Crysis, Need for Speed: ProStreet , Microsoft's Halo 3, Assassin's Creed and Haze from Ubisoft and Midway's Stranglehold as games likely to receive a sales boost this year.

"It will also allow retailers more shelf space to heavily promote these titles," added Greenwald.