By Tom Ivan
Retail sales of Grand Theft Auto IV topped $500 million during its first week on sale, surpassing the all-time entertainment records for day one and week one sales by dollar value.
According to publisher Take-Two, Grand Theft Auto IV sold approximately six million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $500 million in the first week. The game sold approximately 3.6 million units on its opening day with a retail value of approximately $310 million globally.
"We knew Grand Theft Auto IV would break new ground in terms of the player's experience, with its compelling story line, extraordinary gameplay and action that ranges over a broad urban canvas. Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well,” said Strauss Zelnick, chairman of Take-Two.
“Grand Theft Auto IV's first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment, and we believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date. We congratulate the entire Rockstar team on creating a must-have experience that takes the legendary Grand Theft Auto franchise to a new level."
Halo 3 set the previous videogame box office launch record, generating $300 million in first week sales, while Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End held the all-time entertainment launch record after grossing $404 million in six days.
Take-Two's chief executive officer Ben Feder added, "Grand Theft Auto IV makes full use of the power of next generation technology, and offers players an experience unique in the interactive entertainment medium. This game sets a new standard in the industry, with critics hailing it as both an artistic and technological masterpiece."
