1UP writes: "Grand Theft Auto IV is a landmark release in the open-world crime series, not only because it's the first of this generation but also due to the fact that it's releasing simultaneously on Sony's PlayStation 3 and, for the first time, Microsoft's Xbox 360. Not surprisingly, both console manufacturers are working hard to align their systems with the game in an attempt to push hardware sales -- Microsoft playing up the downloadable content that will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 version this fall and Sony reinforcing that GTA IV is a strong PlayStation franchise. But which company and console will actually benefit more from tomorrow's release?
Looking at data from various sources on the web, it seems like more units of the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV will be sold -- though this is not that surprising when you consider that the Xbox 360 installed base is still larger than the PS3's in the U.S. According to a poll administered by Joystiq, 58% of the over 40,000 respondents are planning to buy the Xbox 360 version. 1UP Editor Anthony Gallegos ran a similar poll on his blog and also found that slightly more people were going with the Xbox 360 version. Analysis of user comments on both shows that the vast majority of people planning a 360 purchase cited either achievements or downloadable content as the main reason, with a sizable number also pointing to having more friends on the 360 to play multiplayer with. Those going with the PlayStation 3 version pointed to loud and unreliable 360 hardware as scaring them off. According to data posted on John Davison's blog, PS3 and 360 pre-orders of GTA IV are extremely close on Amazon. Currently on the major online retailer the 360 SKU is ranked #3 in videogames, with the PS3 version at #7."