Microsoft: 'GTA IV to Dominate Xbox Live' Shocking Stunner Freak Out!

In a shocking turn of events, Microsoft has said that Grand Theft Auto IV may take the top spot as most-played game on Xbox Live.

Aaron Greenberg, the director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live has been speaking to Reuters on the subject. The news agency reports, “Greenberg says he wouldn't be surprised to see the game take the top spot on Live”.

"The multiplayer in this game is so well implemented that I can't imagine anyone owning a copy without trying to play it on Xbox Live", said Greenberg.

SPOnG, frankly, is shocked. A game that has sold in better numbers than Halo 3 for its first day topping Xbox Live? Never!

That's not all! Analysts have thrown their weight behind the notion, too. "This has the capabilities of being more popular online than Halo 3", uttered IDC analyst Billy Pidgeon!

Greenberg and Pidgeon both noted that GTA IV could drive gamers that don't typically dabble in online play to Xbox Live. "GTA is unique because it appeals to such a large audience. It will likely be the best-selling game launched all year and we expect it will drive a lot of new members to Xbox Live", said Greenberg.

Pidgeon shadowed Greenberg with, "I think the console, even more so than the PC, has the potential to have lots of different types of games be popular online. GTA is an important piece of that. It can lead the way online for a large contingent of players who don't play first-person shooters."

Not wanting to be left out on an opportunity to offer obvious commentary on the games industry, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter uttered, "This one definitely has more for everybody than any previous game."

SPOnG caught up with Michael Spilligan, Senior Entertainment analyst at Nomoru Wahrheit Kennis, who said, "I know Michael's work, and I respect it. I feel confident in saying that everyone who buys GTA IV and has an Internet connection will be able to play the game online and may, in fact, choose to. This could lead to a lot of people playing GTA IV online.”

SPOnG demands that insight from the likes of Pachter, Greenberg, Pidgeon, Spilligan and even Activision's CEO 'Cheeky' Bobby Kotick be rewarded on an annual basis with a series of awards. We nominate the following industry-related information for the analysts and executives to provide inside knowledge on:

1) Will the Atari ST sell as many units as the Nintendo Wii in Quarter 3 of 2008?

2) Video game players consume more electricity than Puffins. Discuss.

3) If the price of a video game-related item is too high, people might buy less of it than if it was lower. Discuss.

4) The launch of a major video game title might see that video game title sell more copies than if it had not launched. Discuss.

5) Stating the obvious while using jargon and bullshit buys you a bigger house than being a nurse in a public hospital. Analyse and state why this is a good thing.

We await the reports and will award points out of 10 based on insight, jargon and obviousness.

Do you have any video game related questions you would like analysed? Please tell us in the Forum.

You can read more about GTA IV's multiplayer offering here.

^{Source: Reuters}