The release of Grand Theft Auto IV will be so major as to stifle the ticket sales of Iron Man when it opens May 2nd, according to industry analysts.

With GTA IV expected to shift 6 million copies inside a week from its release today, the effects of the years biggest blockbuster are proving to be far reaching: The share price of Take-Two has risen on the basis of reviews of the game alone, putting it in a stronger bargaining position with EA, which is trying to acquire the sometimes troubled fellow publisher. The game is expected to boost sales of console hardware, particularly the PlayStation 3, of which there is a special GTA IV edition on sale.

But of particular interest is the effect the release of the game will have on other entertainment mediums. According to film critic and analyst Mark Eccleston, the release of GTA IV will impact the ticket sales of the Hollywood blockbuster Iron Man, which is due to open in the U.S., and U.K. on Friday, May 2nd.

Eccleston told the British broadcaster Sky News: "the audience that are playing video games are the same audience that Hollywood wants to see watching their big blockbusters - young blokes basically."

"That’s okay at the moment, but if we’re running out of money, people will be making a choice and they’re going to be staying at home, because those video games are better value."

GTA IV represents what is still a relatively small phenomenon: The blockbuster video game. But it is a sign of the increasing power of the digital entertainment medium that Hollywood studios could be basing their release dates not only on their direct big-screen competition, but the releases of major video games as well.