New York (NY) – Apparently a life of crime does pay off and in the case of Take-Two Interactive’s Grand Theft Auto 4 video game, it’s paid off big time.  The company has announced that retail sales of the ultra-violent Xbox360 and PlayStation 3 game have surpassed $500 million dollars in the first week.

GTA 4 was released on April 29th and sold an amazing 3.6 million units or approximately $310 million worth on the first day.  In the week since, it has sold an addition 2.4 million copies for a total of six million units.

The $500 million weekly take is an all-time record for any video game, movie or album and Take-Two’s chairman Strauss Zelnick says, “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.”

GTA 4 cost the company $100 million dollars to develop and while that price tag is on par with the cost of current major motion pictures, the company has made its money back quickly.

GTA 4 is rated M for Intense Violence, Blood, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Partial Nudity, Use of Drugs and Alcohol.  The game has become a magnet of criticism from various consumer and lobbying groups and even notorious anti-violent games attorney Jack Thompson, but all this attention seems to have fueled the buying frenzy.  People who wouldn't have bought the game before are now picking up copies just to see what all the big deal is.

The game is available for $60 and a special edition with an extra art book, lock box and duffel bag is being sold for $90.

Yeah...

May 07, 2008 10:19     

Well just goes to show, the more the big people hate some thing, the more the little people go in the opposite direction. In all honesty the game is probably good, but I don't want to buy it cause I would rather save my money for games more favorable that are on the horizon, like Soul Calibur 4 or Star Craft 2, or the cacophony of FPS games in the distance like GOW2. But thats just me, but from a game making stand point (the job I want to go into) like the story says, not bad at all for an opening night, and first week. Just gives me a reason to make any game I make somewhat controversial (supposedly) and then have it be something truly amazing.

Dean of Stupid report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Congrats take-two.

May 07, 2008 10:42     

I just hope that take-two now won't sell itself to the evil no I am wrong the most evil company (beside FOX)EA. I hope that you sell even more then 2x times of what you did now.
Vito report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

It´s such a damn good game!They deserve the su...

May 07, 2008 11:07     

It´s such a damn good game!They deserve the success ^^
Tomek report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Still...

May 07, 2008 12:24     

New York cops are really serious, they should be more lax. Remember GTA3? Helicopter pilot: "Yah...Were going to have our way with this asshole" Helicopter gunner: "Hey you can't say that". You know, it's funny when pigs go wild...
Mr. Paco report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Saints Row

May 07, 2008 13:19     

The image header has screenshots from Saints Row, is there a reason for this?
George report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Math

May 07, 2008 16:13     

First day figures: $310M / 3.6M copies = $86.1 per copy. Does it mean that the vast majority of sales were from the $90 special edition?
Alejandro report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Math

May 07, 2008 19:51     

Don't forget about Europe where the game does sell for 60 euros($100 ).
Alex report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Math

May 08, 2008 01:24     

In South Africa, the game is R730. Which equates to just under $100. Even expensive for a console game, but well worth it.
SDP report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Math

May 08, 2008 04:54     

SDP dude, I don't know where in SA u got copy but I paid R640 on pre-order from BT-Games, but that still comes to roughly $90...Pretty pricey but worth every last cent.
r3dd_dw@rf report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I wish GTAIV was expandable like WoW. It would be g...

May 08, 2008 05:24     

I wish GTAIV was expandable like WoW. It would be great to download a reworked map of GTASA and connections for GTAIV. And why not adding the whole USA map if enough request and fans work is available? You know, fans work on mods for free. And they just need to be approved.
Virtualban report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

to: r3dd_dw

May 09, 2008 03:53     

Yeah, I should have pre-ordered it and just picked it up in store. I actually bought it there, but I just walked into the store to pick it up without pre-order, I was shocked because I knew it is cheaper online, but I realy wanted it.. so :)
SDP report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0