Pachter: Don't "underestimate Rockstar” and L.A. Noire

Industry analyst Michael Pachter has publicly about-turned on his Rockstar opinion, predicting "at least half" of Red Dead Redemption's sales for L.A. Noire.

Although L.A. Noire's long, silent development lent it more than a tang of vapour, Pachter is confident the unusual mystery title will triumph.

"I've heard that several key guys from Rockstar North (including Les Benzies and both Housers) have been intimately involved with Team Bondi in making the game, so the quality is certain to be very high," wrote to IndustryGamers.

The analyst commented that his lack of confidence in Red Dead Redemption came down to genre, and that a similar worry plaguing L.A. Noire is best dismissed.

"It makes sense that L.A. Noire, with an equally limited genre, would have a limited audience, but the performance of Red Dead Redemption proves that gamers care more about quality and story than they do about genre.

"My best guess is that at least half of the buyers of Red Dead Redemption will buy L.A. Noire, and if Rockstar succeeds in delivering another game with a mid-90s review score, sales could be as high as they were for Red Dead."

"NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ROCKSTAR," the analyst added, apparently forgetting how to turn off caps lock.

"Those guys are just phenomenal, they make great games, and they have their fingers on the pulse of gamers everywhere."

Pachter concluded his analysis by stating the bleeding obvious.

"Of course, it's important for gamers (and for shareholders) that the Rockstar North guys get back to work on the next GTA, which will outsell both Red Dead and L.A. Noire combined."

Yesterday, analysts commented that Rockstar parent company Take Two is "more than Grand Theft Auto".

Thanks, GoNintendo.