Rockstar Games had a press release today that pretty much confirmed what we all suspected: Grand Theft Auto IV is pretty popular. It’s only been a week since the game was released, but Rockstar deemed that enough time to go ahead and do some bragging.
Apparently the very popular game franchise is even more popular now. GTA4 sold 6 million copies globally in its first week - with an estimated retail value of more than $500 million. It also sold approximately 3.6 million units on its opening day (with a retail value of approximately $310 million globally).
This is the first time a version of GTA has been released on a next gen system (PS3 or XBox 360) and the gamers have apparently been waiting for it. Reviews of the game have been through the roof so it’s no surprise that sales followed suit.
I personally have not played the game yet. Of course, I haven’t actually played any of the GTA games I don’t think. It’s not really something that appeals to me. If you’ve played it, feel free to let us know what you think.
Here is the information from the press release from Rockstar Games:
“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. 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,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two.
“Rockstar’s goal is to make each new title in the Grand Theft Auto franchise even better than those that preceded it, and Grand Theft Auto IV is a smashing success on that score. 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,” said Ben Feder, Take-Two’s Chief Executive Officer.
As popular as they are and as big a video game fan I am, these games have never appealed to me…
I like the free roam gritty atmosphere of the game. I was a fan of GTA3 and purchased GTA4 for my Xbox last week. It gets a bad rap for the violence, sex, etc., and I agree that those things are best left out of children’s hands, but a lot of the positive aspects of the games get overlooked. For example, a lot of the city itself, specifically the in-game radio stations and TV are full of witty satirical versions of commercials and talk radio that make you think about the real world. And the free roam atmosphere means you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. It’s kind of like my other favorite games in a way, the Sim series, because there really isn’t much of an “ending” in the classical sense of a video game.
I’m guessing their numbers do not include the people who stole the game…
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@ Ape - That is exactly what I was thinking. Just saw that clip on the news earlier this week about the kid who stole the game.
i found this interesting take on the game, i never finish gta II, rented III and am debating IV
http://www.slate.com/id/2191012/pagenum/2/
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The graphics on this game are amazing. I just wish the the game wasn’t focused solely on crime and corruption. Liberty City basically looks just like NYC its actually really amazing.
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