Jonas Allen of DG believes that the GTA IV delay is literally killing the Xbox 360 while at the same time boosting the PS3. Although Allen believes it is arguable that the delay isn't 'favoring' Sony, he is sure that it harms Microsoft's holiday release strategy. Allen jokes that Peter Moore is probably looking for a tattoo-removal specialist as GTA IV on the Xbox 360 is no longer mission accomplished and now resembles a one night stand.

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Third (and most speculative), Sony could see a PS3 sales boost because Microsoft is shooting its first-party wad early. Rumors earlier this year said Microsoft strategically chose to release Halo 3 in September to appease Rockstar and not give GTA IV any direct competition on the Xbox 360's sales charts. November has been Bungie's sweet spot for Halo release dates, so September always seemed early; with this GTA IV rumor as context, the Halo 3 release date made much more sense. But with GTA IV now delayed, Halo 3 (if it doesn't end up being delayed) will release two months before the holiday shopping season really kicks off, thereby enabling Sony to come out of the Turkey-Day gates with a stellar first-party lineup.

To say GTA IV drives console sales is akin to saying B.B. King can play the guitar. So with Microsoft banking so much on those exclusive episodes, not to mention GTA IV releasing at a time when the Xbox 360 holds an install-base lead over the PlayStation 3, Rockstar's announcement couldn't have been any worse. Does the delay favor Sony and its PlayStation 3? Not necessarily. But it surely doesn't do anything but harm to Microsoft's holiday-release strategy.

If Peter Moore were still at Microsoft, I have a sneaking suspicion he'd be seeking out a tattoo-removal specialist. Because today, that enthusiastic showing two E3s ago that his "mission" was "accomplished" now looks like a 20-something inking the name of a one-night-stand on his bicep.