In 2008, it took seven months for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV to come out following the console release. This year, we may not have to wait that long for GTA V to arrive on the PC. Indeed, according to Forbes, GTA V PC may be out this fall, perhaps close to the September 17 console launch.
Rockstar and Take-Two haven’t revealed their PC schedule yet, but Nvidia mentioned GTA V during its earnings conference call last week. Here’s the transcript from SeekingAlpha:
The PC market is evolving. As entry level laptops face pressure from tablets. Yet sales of specialty PCs like gaming systems and work stations continue to grow. The disparity reflects how consumers use these different classes of PCs. Many consumers look for PC as a general purpose device they can use for browsing, email, social media video. But much of this can be better served by a tablet. In contrast, gamers are preparing their systems for a strong roster of games coming this fall, including blockbuster franchises, such as Call of Duty: Ghosts, Grand Theft Auto V and Assassin’s Creed IV.
Chris Evenden, Nvidia’s Senior Director of Investor Relations, spoke those words at the very beginning of the call, so this definitely doesn’t sound like a slip of the tongue. In fact, Forbes notes that Nvidia is working with Ubisoft on Assassin’s Creed IV and has partnered with Activision on past Call of Duty titles. Presumably, the three titles Evenden mentioned weren’t chosen at random. Maybe GTA V will be part of Nvidia’s The Way It’s Meant To Be Played program.
I think I’m still gonna wait for an official announcement from Rockstar or Take-Two before calling this one—but this does bode well. All signs are that the PC gaming hardware market is doing nicely, and sales of PC games aren’t half bad, either. Not only that, but next-gen console hardware is very close to what lurks inside today’s PCs. In light of those factors, it make plenty of sense that major blockbusters would come out in relatively timely fashion on the PC.