Grand Theft Auto 5 could release after March 31, 2013, according to Take-Two’s earnings forecast

Take-Two Interactive's latest earnings forecast seems to indicate that the highly-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 5 could release after March 31, 2013. In the latest company earnings report, Take-Two lowered its revenue expectations for the year ending March 31, 2013, from the $1.8 billion they estimated in June to a much lower $1.15 billion.

It can be inferred that the loss in expected revenue is due to Grand Theft Auto 5 releasing after March 31, 2013. Both Take-Two and Rockstar Games have been vague in their Grand Theft Auto 5 announcements, but the company did reveal this week an expected worldwide shipping date of spring 2013.

This can seem somewhat odd given the months people perceive to be spring. Many believe spring months fall early in the calendar year when, in fact, spring runs from all the way from March until June. That gives plenty of leeway for Grand Theft Auto 5's release to miss the March 31 release date, but still land somewhere in the "spring 2013" launch window.

Company chariman Strauss Zelnick furthered speculation of a post-March release by suggested that FY14, which begins win April, would result in "substantial revenue".

"Moreover, with Grand Theft Auto 5 slated for spring 2013, we are poised to generate substantial revenue and earnings growth in fiscal year 2014."

Keep in mind, nothing is set in stone just yet, but it's looking very likely that we could see Grand Theft Auto 5 release after March 31, 2013.