The next installment of Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto" franchise is one of the most anticipated games of the year; however, is "Grand Theft Auto V" (GTA5) popular enough to affect future sales of next-gen consoles like the PS4 or Xbox One?
Analyst Lewis Ward of IDC told Ubergizmo.com GTA 5 will have a negative impact on the gaming market. Ward believes interest to release titles on next-gen is low, as far as markets such as North America are concerned, and with the release of big titles like sGTA 5 does not help with the demand.
According to Ward, "gamers will continue playing their current consoles most likely until the 2014 holiday season."
Ward added the downside of next-gen consoles is the tech bugs a new system will carry, and most gamers will wait until the kinks in the consoles are fixed before purchasing a PS4 or Xbox One.
However, is one title truly enough to reduce the demand of next-gen consoles?
Rockstar released the first gameplay trailer for GTA 5 and it is visually stunning.
The gameplay footage begins with a voiceover describing the installment, saying "the game world is beautiful, massive and diverse, a sprawling satirical re-imagining of Southern California."
The trailer shows explorable areas, and developers put thought into every little detail to make sure the game atmosphere feels real, including mountains and seaside, malls and urban areas in a city.
According to the gameplay trailer, developers paid particular attention the mechanics "to make sure every aspect of the game is as fun and fluid as it is broad".
The clip also features three characters, Franklin, Trevor and Michael. Gamers will be able to switch vantage points between the guys in the middle of the action, giving missions "new levels of diversity and intensity," according to the trailer. Players can drop into any of the three main characters' lives and participate in "a vast array of things to see and do".
"Grand Theft Auto V" will be released on Sept. 17 worldwide on Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles.
