GTA 5 predicted to be 2012’s biggest release

All we have about Grand Theft Auto 5 is a trailer and fan speculation, but some analysts are already claiming Rockstar's blockbuster title will be the biggest game of 2012.

Rockstar made a splash when they revealed Grand Theft Auto 5 back in October, but it wasn't until they released the trailer for the game where fans really began to get an idea for what they were in for with this new game.

With the game returning to San Andreas, more specifically Vinewood, news and rumors of Grand Theft Auto 5 lit up the internet.  To say it created a buzz would be an understatement.  But just how big will GTA V be?  Does it have what it takes to overthrow the record-smashing Call of Duty franchise?

One analyst thinks so.

EEDAR's Jesse Divnich was recently feautred on IndustryGamers for his predictions on what might unfold in the gaming industry during 2012.  His prediction: "GTA V will be huge."

That, however, isn't the bold part of his prediction.  Anybody could look at the reaction to the GTA V trailer and predict it would be huge. Mr. Divnich took it a step further, predicting that GTA V would dethrone Call of Duty as the year's biggest game.

Divnich wrote, "It goes without saying that GTA V will be one of the year's biggest releases, but I will take it one step farther and say GTA V will be 2012's biggest release.  Don't get me wrong, Call of Duty will undoubtedly be huge, as it is every year and it may even grow, but if I had to call what will be a photo finish race, I will go with GTA V."

Personally, I don't think GTA V has enough casual audience to break the records that Call of Duty has set, but given the disappointment with the most recent Modern Warfare 3, I don't think fans will flock out to make the purchase so quickly next year – so it's anyones race.  With that being said, I wouldn't discount FIFA next year either.  For the second straight year a FIFA game has led the industry in sales during the Christmas weeks.