GTA IV achieves sales of $500 million in first week

By Patrick Garratt

GTA IV has acheived sales of $500 million in its first week, Take-Two has announced.

The game has shipped in the region of 6 million units, 3.6 million of them on its first day at sale.

The figures have the potential of pushing up EA’s price for the company, despite the Madden-publisher’s entrenched nonchalance on the issue. The offer currently stands at $25.74 per share.

Take-Two’s stock was up 29 cents to $26.35 on Tuesday.

Press release after the link.

Press ReleaseSource: Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Take-Two Interactive Announces Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV Breaks Entertainment Launch Records
Wednesday May 7, 7:00 am ET
Retail Sales of Grand Theft Auto IV Top $500 Million in First Week

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO – News), said today that Grand Theft Auto IV has surpassed all-time entertainment records for day one and week one sales by dollar value. Released on Tuesday, April 29th, Grand Theft Auto IV, the critically acclaimed video game, has sold through to consumers approximately 6 million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $500 million in the first week. Grand Theft Auto IV 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. 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.

Developed by series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system is rated “M” for Mature. For more information, log onto www.rockstargames.com/IV.