GTA V in 2010? Not likely

Despite analyst predictions, it looks like we won’t see a new full-scale installment in the “Grand Theft Auto” franchise next year.

Take Two Interactive Software shot down the whispers today in a call with analysts after delaying “Bioshock 2” and drastically lowering its earnings expectation for the year.

“Our goal for fiscal year 2010 is to operate the company profitably  … without a new multi-platform ‘Grand Theft Auto’ release,” said Ben Feder, president and CEO of Take Two.

Pressed by analysts on whether that would mean a new GTA is completely out of the question for next year, he added “I don’t think any more clarification is required.”

The chatter about “GTA V” started in March, when Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter predicted the game would hit next year.

"When the next version of GTA comes out in late 2010 (not yet announced, but a reasonable expectation), there should be an installed base of approximately 60 million consoles in the addressable market,” he wrote. “We don't think it is reasonable to estimate that sales of GTA will double the prior version, but we think that a 25-30% penetration is reasonable, suggesting 15-18 million units sold."

More downloadable content is likely next year, but it now appears the next ‘full’ game won’t be hitting until sometime in 2011. 

It's hard to blame Take Two for keeping the game in 2011. For years, the company has tried to prove it's not a one-trick pony, but investors have remained doubtful. If they're able to pull in record profits without a "GTA" in that year's release list, they may finally convert some of those skeptics into believers.