It seems that Grand Theft Auto V might be coming to consoles as early as the end of May – far earlier than some might have expected the open-world epic sequel to have landed on shelves.

Or that is at least true according to games industry expert Michael Pachter, who told XBox 360 Magazine that he thinks GTA V will launch on the week immediately before this year’s E3, at the end of May:

“There has historically been a gap in the big hame releases beginning in May and running through August, and the few times someone was ambitious enough or late enough to launch in that window, the game typically dominated. Rocktar launched GTA IV, Red Dead Redemption and LA Noire in that window, THQ had its 2009 UFC game launch then, EA launched Battlefield: Bad Company in 2008, and all did pretty well.”

An earlier release would certainly make sense, because it would mean avoiding direct sales conflict with the other biggest releases of the year, which will see release in the traditional tent-pole October/November window – and most specifically, the new Call of Duty. Pachter went on:

“I think that GTA will compete with an autumn launch, but why run into Call of Duty head first when they can have the summer all to themselves?”

While that head-to-head would add a little spice to the Autumn market, splitting up the two biggest releases of the war will no doubt see a welcome response in the market, with sales for both perhaps enjoying a boost thanks to the lack of direct competition.

Jesse Divnich meanwhile wouldn’t be quite so drawn on the question, and stated it would either be May or October, but that it would definitely be 2012, and the game could well set new industry records, with the hallowed 25 million copies mark hit by Black Ops a firm objective.

Two industry experts mentioning May? Seems good enough to me, and the fact that Rockstar have previous in the pre-Autumn market serves as its own indication. Whatever the answer, it’s an unbelievably exciting release.

 

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