Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is an extremely popular game, and if a new report is to be believed, then the game could be a PS5 exclusive. However, for that to happen, one condition would have to be met: Sony would have to take over Take-Two Interactive.
Could GTA 6 be exclusive to the PS5?
It is well known that Sony often offers popular exclusive titles for its consoles. Exclusive titles such as Bloodborne, Uncharted 4, God of War, Spider-Man and others are a big reason some players prefer the PlayStation over rival platforms. Sony could be planning to give players one more even bigger reason to prefer its consoles over those of rivals, and that reason could be exclusive access to Grand Theft Auto 6. The suggestion stems from an article from MarketWatch, although the news outlet didn’t say anything specifically about GTA 6.
In its segment “Which stocks were in focus?,” the news outlet wrote: “Take-Two Interactive Software shares jumped 6.9%, its best day since October 2018. Joel Kulina, head of technology and media trading at Wedbush Securities, referenced rumors about potential takeover interest from Sony Corp. SNE, in a note to clients.”
Take-Two Interactive is the parent company of Rockstar Games, which publishes a number of popular game franchises like GTA, Red Dead Redemption and more. In addition to Rockstar, Take-Two Interactive also owns 2K Games, the publisher of games like Civilization and the NBA 2K series.
Will Sony acquire Take-Two?
If what the rumors are suggesting is true, then it would be huge for the gaming industry. However, as of now, there is no conclusive proof of any potential deal. Even gaming industry analyst Daniel Ahmad doubts it. GamesIndustry also says it contacted Take-Two Interactive and Kulina, and both reportedly rubbished the acquisition rumors.
“This is purely unconfirmed market speculation that is making the rounds,” Kulina told GamesIndustry. “I am not the source of this story in any regard. And not sure who quoted me as I didn’t speak with anyone over the phone (unless someone saw a trading note that I wrote).”
It also wouldn’t be financially viable for Sony to acquire Take-Two Interactive. The game maker’s business model depends on making games for all platforms, including Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo’s Switch, and PCs. If Sony were to acquire Take-Two, it would primarily be for its library of games, which the Japanese company would probably then make exclusive to its console.
Such an acquisition could prove a poor business decision. Sony would not only have to pay a massive amount to buy the publisher, but it may become difficult to keep the company running if it only develops games for the PlayStation.
Here’s what we’ve heard about Grand Theft Auto 6
Plenty of rumors about Grand Theft Auto 6 have been circulating as well. If reports are to be believed, then GTA 6 could be set in two locations: South America and Vice City. Internally at Rockstar, the game is reportedly being referred to as “Project Americas.” Such a code-name suggests players will be able to fly between the US and South America
It is also expected that GTA 6 will be the first title in the series to introduce a female protagonist. However, it is not clear if players will be able to control multiple characters like in GTA 5. These are mere speculations, so nothing about the game has been confirmed. However, we do know the game is in the works, and the team is working on several ideas.
Rockstar President Leslie Benzies talked about the game in an interview with Develop Magazine in 2013: “We don’t know what GTA 6 will be, but we’ve got some ideas. We’ve got about 45 years’ worth of ideas we want to do.”
Whether or not Sony acquires Take-Two Interactive, GTA 6 is expected to debut in or around 2022. In an interview with Gaming Bolt, industry analyst Michael Pachter said the best-case scenario would be an announcement in 2020 followed by a release in 2021. However, he also said the more likely scenario is an announcement in 2021 and a release in 2022. Both release scenarios fit well with the rumored launch schedule of the next-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
The PS5 is expected to arrive in 2021. Tokyo-based Rakuten Securities Economic Research Institute claims–according to gaming blog Twinfinite–that the console could be out between April 2021 and March 2022. Further, the report says there is no chance of the PS5 launching before March 2020.
