Next "GTA" video game to have Xbox 360 extras

Tue May 9, 9:10 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp.(Nasdaq:MSFT - news) on Tuesday announced a strategic win for its
Xbox 360 video game console, saying the next game of the "Grand Theft Auto" series would be released for its platform at the same time as Sony Corp's (6758.T) unit and have special Xbox online extras.

Previous versions of publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.'s (Nasdaq:TTWO) "Grand Theft Auto" series first were released on Sony's
PlayStation 2, then appeared on the Xbox months later, long after the initial excitement over the game died down.

The series, notorious for letting players commit crimes as they cruise through bleak urban landscapes, also will continue on Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3.

"Grand Theft Auto 4" will debut in October 2007 and Microsoft said developer Rockstar Games, owned by Take-Two, also would provide exclusive downloadable game content to Xbox 360 users via its Xbox Live service.

The series had been one of the heavy hitters in Sony's PlayStation 2 third party lineup. The last iteration, "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" for the PlayStation 2, was 2004's biggest game, selling over 5.1 million copies, outpacing even Microsoft's blockbuster "Halo 2," according to the NPD Group.

The "Grand Theft Auto" franchise has sold over 47 million units to date, said publisher Take Two Interactive.

Part of Sony's advantage during the last console cycle had been its strong exclusive support from third party publishers like Take Two.