Take-Two Interactive: Controversy, the Catalyst...
By Ian Cooper
Dear American Capitalist Reader
Love it, or hate it. RockStar Games continues to push parental and legal buttons, adding more green to Take-Two Interactive’s (TTWO) bottom line. All the outrage… all the legal hassling… all of those that complain… they simply serve as the sales catalysts for the games they despise. And they simply don’t understand that.
RockStar’s “Manhunt 2” game slated for July 2007 release is already milking the controversy for all its worth. Sure, the Entertainment Software Rating Board, which evaluates U.S. games, gave the game an AO (adults only) rating. But it’s only serving as a marketing catalyst to uninterested gamers who “must” now own the game to see what the controversy is all about. The same thing has happened with
Grand Theft Auto time and time again.
It’s the parent telling the child not to touch the hot stove. Now that you’ve told me no, I want to see what all the fuss is about.
By July 2007, we are looking for a “tone down” of Manhunt 2 violence, which could earn the game an M (for mature) rating. Either way, we’re not here to judge a game. We’re here to make money off of what the games will do for Take-Two near-term.
One thing’s for certain… By July 2007, I’ll be a buyer on the hype. I want to see what the fuss is all about. Oh, and be sure to look for pre-release “fuss” over Grand Theft Auto, too, later this year.
Take Care,
Ian L. Cooper
American Capitalist
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