Sony Closed GTA 3 Deal on the Cheap
The truth behind a deal that changed the fate of the gaming world has emerged years later. Sony’s exclusive deal for GTA 3 was reportedly finalized for a much lower price than initially anticipated. Apparently, this “small” deal was a historic turning point, launching both the success of the PlayStation 2 and the rise of Rockstar Games.
Behind the Scenes of the GTA 3 Deal Revealed
The 2001 deal initially covered only the European market. However, as negotiations between Sony and Rockstar Games progressed, the US was also included in the plan. In a new interview shared by IGN, executives at the time confirmed that the GTA 3 deal was “lucrative yet surprisingly inexpensive” for both parties.
Former Take-Two president Kelly Sumner described the GTA 3 deal as “ridiculously cheap, looking back on it now.” Sumner expressed both regret and satisfaction, saying, “Everyone won at the time, but I wish we could have gone back and added a few more million dollars.” This statement once again highlighted how crucial this deal was to the rise of the PlayStation 2.
The terms of the deal were also quite striking. The first stipulation was that Sony and Rockstar would jointly invest $1 million in promoting the game. Second, Sony offered a significant discount on production costs. At the time, the production cost of a PS2 game disc was around $11, while for GTA 3, this figure was reduced to just $8. This difference represented a huge profit for a game with millions of discs printed.
This collaboration transformed the fortunes of both parties. GTA 3 exploded sales of the PlayStation 2 and transformed Rockstar Games into a global giant. The game sold over 11 million copies on the PS2 alone, with total sales exceeding 14 million. This success is seen as the beginning of a new era in the gaming industry.
Looking back today, Sony’s GTA 3 deal is considered one of the most strategic moves in gaming history. What seemed like a small investment at the time not only cemented Rockstar’s legacy but also made the PlayStation 2 the best-selling console in history.
Read More: Next-Gen Xbox Will Kill Paid Multiplayer
