Grand Theft Auto 4 may help Sony gain ground

By Scott Hillis - Analysis

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - "Grand Theft Auto 4," the biggest, meanest, raunchiest video game of the year, looks set to help Sony Corp's (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) PlayStation 3 console gain new ground in its turf war with Microsoft's Xbox 360.

It's already a given that the newest chapter in Take-Two Interactive Software Inc's (TTWO.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) hit criminal franchise will be the biggest game of 2008, with up to $400 million expected in sales in its first week.

But "Grand Theft Auto 4," which rampages onto store shelves next Tuesday, will also be an important new weapon in the running battle between the PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Xbox 360.

The two console giants are trying to convince gamers that their machines offer the best way to revel in "GTA4's" gritty violence and gleefully dark skewering of American culture.

The game, which cannot be played on the older PlayStation 2 or original Xbox hardware, is expected to boost sales of the new consoles over the next few months, typically a slow season for the industry.

"This is one game that has the potential to move some hardware," Bob McKenzie, senior vice president of merchandising for video-game retail chain GameStop Corp (GME.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), said in an interview.

"The anticipation is that it will sell both systems."

But the PS3 stands to gain the most from the game and its tale of Niko, an Eastern European immigrant who must face his brutal past as he serves a crime syndicate by jacking cars, running drugs and rubbing out rivals.