'Grand Theft Auto IV' makes a killing in first week

The fourth edition of Take-Two's franchise video game Grand Theft Auto had a killer first week at retail, beating out even Halo 3. For a gallery about the game, click on the image above.

(Credit: Take-Two Interactive Software)

UPDATED, 5/7 9 a.m. PDT with official announcement from company.

First-week sales of the video game Grand Theft Auto IV made a killing, knocking off records and blowing away analyst expectations.

Take-Two Interactive Software, the game's publisher, sold 6 million copies and raked in $500 million in its first seven days on the streets, the company announced Wednesday. The game sold 3.6 million copies its first day on the market.

Analysts had expected GTA IV, which has been criticized as excessively violent, to sell 5 million copies during its first two weeks and 9 million copies total. GTA IV's first-week sales beat the previous record held by last year's release of Halo 3, which earned $300 million its first week on the market.

Shares of Take-Two have been trading higher, thanks to the excitement surrounding the game's release. On Tuesday, Take-Two's shares closed at $26.35, up 29 cents. The first-week sales success gives a boost to the game publisher, targeted for a hostile takeover by Electronic Arts in March. Take-Two rejected that offer, calling it "inadequate."

[xfuu]

holy

smokes.

[mliddekee]

no comparison

Halo 3 came out only on Xbox 360. GTA IV came out on multiple platforms. not sure its an apples to apples comparison

[lordjebus2000]

I am almost certain i read that is was the best selling game on both xbox and plastation so i am fairly shure that it did out sell halo on the xbox.

[lordjebus2000]

I am almost certain i read that is was the best selling game on both xbox and plastation so i am fairly shure that it did out sell halo on the xbox.

[whoadude1]

Congrats on "blowing away" the HALO sales. Does anyone else here see a huge " * " thats needed? Thats an asterisk that should be next to the sales records. Not bad considering it was sold on more than one platform. Also not bad considering approximately 40% of the sales SHOULDNT have even been made due to the age of the consumer being below the "m" rating. WTG retailers!!!!! Take another look at the numbers after you digest those ideas.

[xpider2]

Think about it! Halo 3 earned $300 million its first week on the market while GTA IV sold 3.6 million copies its first day on the market. That?s like (3.6million x $60 =) $216 millions on just the first day? yeah I think it did much better, even if it was on both consoles. Besides, I don?t understand what?s the hype with Halo 3?it wasn't all that ! I waited so long for Halo 3 to come out, and when I got it, It was identical to Halo 2 with the exception of a few more weapons and vehicles. GTA IV is much of a better game!

[cancerouswun]

maybe halo 3 could have competed with the sales of GTA IV if Bungie would have made it possible for a release on more than one platform. So, its their bad for releasing it solely on 360, i guess they dont like money.. Oh Well..

[cancerouswun]

maybe halo 3 could have competed with the sales of GTA IV if Bungie would have made it possible for a release on more than one platform. So, its their bad for releasing it solely on 360, i guess they dont like money.. Oh Well..

[PKADavid]

When H3 was released, it was compared to movie releases. How is that any better than comparing the H3 and GTA IV releases? Money is money, and all they are saying is that it was a larger release than H3, just as the H3 release brought in more money than any other previous media release (movie or otherwise).

To those who say that GTA IV was sold to those under 17, how many movie theaters do not ask for ID when you go to see an R-rated movie? Should all revenue from R-rated movies be analyzed and reclassified?

[G_Slade]

if GTA outsold halo on the 360, and halo sold $300 million and GTA IV sold $500 million, that means less than $200 million of the $500 million was from ps3 copies of the game. which makes perfect sense because the ps3 is far inferior to the magnificient 360.
(que enraged ps3 fanboys angered replies)

[benjaminstraight]

benjamin straight writes: It was worth the wait, but many of us can't help be upset that it was supposed to come out last October.