'Grand Theft Auto IV' races into videogame record books

by amyjudd | May 7, 2008 at 05:23 pm | 632 views | 14 comments

The highly anticipated 'Grand Theft Auto: IV' has raked in 500 million dollars in its opening week, setting videogame records and leaving all other competition in its virtual dust.

Take-Two Interactive said approximately six million copies of "GTA IV: Liberty City Stories" have sold worldwide, with more than half of those games snatched up within 24 hours of the game hitting store shelves April 29.

"Grand Theft Auto IV's first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment," said Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick.

"We believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date."

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" took in 196 million dollars in its first week to seize the Hollywood crown for top-grossing film opening, according to Box Office Mojo.

Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter expects "GTA: IV" to be the second best-selling videogame ever behind its predecessor "GTA: San Andreas," which has sold 23 million copies.

"I'm sure 'GTA: IV' beats Hollywood movie opening weeks," Pachter told AFP.

"But it depends how one looks at it. I'm sure more people saw 'Ironman' than played 'Grand Theft Auto' in the past week but fewer dollars changed hands."

The 'Ironman' film based on the Marvel Comics character opened in theaters Friday.

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uebersetzung

at 18:34 on May 7th, 2008

very interesting to do comparison with movies, it clearly shows that digital media is taking away the pie from "old" media. and the success of other titles like world of warcraft points out that the battle for eyeballs is getting more and more intense.

amyjudd

at 18:54 on May 7th, 2008

Definitely - I'm not surprised GTA IV won the battle.

BLOODY FECALMATTER ©

at 00:19 on May 8th, 2008

I got the game at midnight, and I noticed "INDIE" and "COPE 2" are featured in the game, since I'm an artist, I couldnt help but to snap a picture of this while on multiplayer.

BLOODY FECALMATTER © has contributed a photo to this story.

milerdiler

at 00:37 on May 8th, 2008

There were about 50 people in line when midnight struck, all eagerly anticipating the release of GTA IV. Here is a photo from the line at the GameStop in downtown San Jose, California.

milerdiler has contributed a photo to this story.

cynthia yoo

at 00:39 on May 8th, 2008

Wow, that's some serious fandom.

Alexander W Curtis

at 00:45 on May 8th, 2008

My 360 comes later this week, and I got this game specifically for it...and Fallout 3.

Alexander W Curtis has contributed a photo to this story.

Guilherme Neto

at 01:43 on May 8th, 2008

The greatest game of all times!

Guilherme Neto has contributed a photo to this story.

richardphotographer

at 07:10 on May 8th, 2008

Great game!

richardphotographer has contributed a photo to this story.

Unscripted 360

at 07:15 on May 8th, 2008

i don't think anyone is surprised by this..well maybe me but i'm probably the only one.

http://www.unscripted360.com/2008/05/06/grand-theft-auto-iv-the-esrb-ratings/

meddygarnet

at 07:44 on May 8th, 2008

Taken on release date.

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thescribetony

at 10:00 on May 8th, 2008

I haven't played this one yet--but Rock Star/Take Two is the most innovative game designer company out there. Thanks for the update.

limpede

at 12:05 on May 8th, 2008

Great game!

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Critical Todd

at 12:30 on May 8th, 2008

I took this shot via my iPhone as I was walking through Times Square.

Critical Todd has contributed a photo to this story.

AshleeCakes

at 13:35 on May 10th, 2008

I have to say, GTA IV is better than I thought it would be! I didn't think the graphics looked very impressive for a 360 game, but once I bought it, I changed my mind! The enviroment is very interactive!

AshleeCakes has contributed a photo to this story.