For a year and a half, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NasdaqNM:TTWO - News) has ruled the video game sales charts with its violent and gritty "Grand Theft Auto" franchise.
Rivals have been slow to follow Take-Two's path in the mature-rated video game sector, but competition is coming.
Meanwhile, Take-Two is adding more weapons to its arsenal, says Chief Executive Jeffrey Lapin.
"I get this question all the time: 'How do we keep it up? How do we keep it going?' I think you just have to look at our track record," he said.
Take-Two's "Grand Theft Auto 3," released in October 2001 and "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," released in October 2002, have been megahits. The two titles, both produced by the company's Rockstar Games division, each have sold more than 8 million copies. It has another big hit in "Max Payne," which has sold over 3.5 million copies.
Take-Two's Rockstar unit is working on 10 new games, only two of which have been announced, Lapin says. They are "Manhunt," an action game akin to the movie "The Fugitive," and "The Warriors," a gang drama based on the 1979 movie. "Manhunt" is set for release in October and "The Warriors" and a "Max Payne" sequel are due out in the first half of 2005.
Source : Yahoo Finance
