Grand Theft Auto IV Marks the End for Next-Gen Gaming

Look for cheaper games with broader appeal in future, predicts writer

By Laila Weir, Newser User

Posted Jun 19, 2008 5:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Low sales of Grand Theft Auto IV herald the end of next-gen gaming’s heyday, writes Wagner James Au on GigaOm. The game is selling poorly compared to the previous version, and it hasn’t improved sales of the next-gen Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles. “The days when so-called “next-gen” gaming reigned supreme are coming to end,” predicts Au.

"Expect to see games made for lower budgets, targeted at wider audiences (ones that aren’t fixated on high-end 3D graphics) and delivered over broadband with a micropayment program in place," he adds. "The industry’s future will be shaped by games like Rock Band."

A poster for the game Grand Theft Auto IV is seen inside a GameStop store in Chicago Tuesday, April 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

This photo released by Rockstar Games shows a scene from "Grand Theft Auto IV." (AP Photo/Rockstar Games)

A Best Buy customer pays cash to purchase the game Grand Theft Auto IV in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, April 29, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Look for cheaper games with broader appeal in future, predicts writer

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Look for cheaper games with broader appeal in future, predicts writer

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video game console • Xbox 360 • PlayStation 3 • Grand Theft Auto IV • video games

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Want Hot Halo Opponent? Try Gamecrush

Site lets horndog gamers pay for sexy foe

Video Game 'Console Killer' to Launch June 17

Service will let users stream games online

Mom Calls Cops on Grand Theft Auto -Addled Teen

Boston police talk boy into shutting off PlayStation

Slumping Wii Surprises Nintendo

Lack of hit games hits sales

Netflix Comes to PlayStation 3

Sony console can finally stream like Xbox

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Newser By Users

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