Take-Two Needs 'BioShock' Jolt

Those numbers could mean an upside that hasn't been accounted for in the stock's current value, says Creutz, whose firm does not hold stock or have an investment banking relationship with Take-Two.

"If BioShock does 3 million copies in sales, instead of 2 million, it could add an incremental $50 million in gross profits," Creutz points out "And given the game's reviews, it will do much better than anyone has expected."

Perfect Score Into Profit?

BioShock for Xbox 360 has bagged a "perfect 10 score" from game publications such as 1UP, Game Informer and EuroGamer. Ratings aggregation site Metacritic has given it a score of 98 out of 100 based on 10 reviews.

Those numbers also mean that BioShock has enough appeal to become a franchise -- and something of an answer to Take-Two critics claiming that the company is a one-trick pony with only Grand Theft Auto in its stable.

Now Take-Two needs to get the selling and marketing of BioShock right.

BioShock will be a part of a fiercely competitive genre from franchises such as Activision's(ATVI Quote) hit Call of Duty, Microsoft's Halo and Electronic Arts'(ERTS Quote) Medal of Honor.

Still, BioShock offers gamers something different, says Gametrailers.com's Satterfield. "It has a unique sense of style, and it forces people to make moral decisions in the game," he says.

Players are offered an ethical choice between saving young girls -- known as "Gatherers" in the game -- or killing them to obtain immediate resources to continue a successful play.