Analysts - Infinite slip could allow for 2012 GTA V release

Wedbush Securities has said in its latest note that BioShock Infinite's delay "opens the window for Grand Theft Auto V to be released in October 2012."

The firm also said an October release would make sense as Rockstar has scheduled every prior GTA releases during that month, with the exception of with GTA IV which was delayed into April 2008 "due to bugs in the PS3 version."

It is being speculated by analysts at the firm once Rockstar notified Take-Two GTA V would be ready by October, the company gave Irrational Games the "option to spend more time fine-tuning BioShock Infinite."

"Although we were confident that both games would sell millions of units when it appeared that they would be released in close proximity, we think that the delay will alleviate any wallet-share
concerns and ensure that both games receive the undivided attention of Take-Two’s management and marketing teams, and will ensure that retail support is optimized," said the note.

Wedbush also said that since Take-Two did not "update its prior FY13 guidance," despite its history of "providing conservative guidance," the analysts are "skeptical Take-Two can achieve FY13 earnings guidance without a GTA game.

Upon release, the analysts expect GTA V to sell at least 18 million units, which represents a "20% attach rate to the 2012 year-end installed base of PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US and Europe."

The firm closed by saying it expects an update on the release of GTA V as early as May 22 when Take-Two provides its Q4 FY12 results, or during E3.

"If there is no update on either date, we believe it is unlikely that GTA V will launch this calendar year," it said.