GTAIV shatters records with $500M in week-one sales

In the weeks leading up to the release of Take-Two and Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto IV, predictions were in abundance as to how well the game would do. While analysts' predictions were mixed, Take-Two execs themselves were reportedly under the impression that the game would shift 6 million units in its first week after measuring out preorder demand.

It turns out that prediction was spot on. The Rockstar Games parent said today that Grand Theft Auto IV has sold through to consumers 6 million units globally in its first week, generating income of approximately $500 million. First-day sales for the game hit 3.6 million and tallied a staggering $310 million--nearly double Halo 3's $170 million day-one take and $10 million more than the sci-fi shooter's entire opening-week haul.

Unsurprisingly, Take-Two was quick to tout GTAIV's new position as the best-selling launch of any entertainment property, gaming or otherwise, ever. "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," said Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick.

GTAIV's unprecedented launch has been a primary point of contention in the ongoing takeover talks between beleaguered Take-Two and its rival Electronic Arts. With EA saying Rockstar and its open-world crime adventure--which is just the fifth game in GameSpot's history to score a 10--are of paramount interest in the $2 billion hostile advance on Take-Two, Take-Two has said that the company's value won't be fully determinable until after the launch of the game. EA's tender offer to shareholders--which was lowered to $25.74 in light of Take-Two's share-dilution poison pill--expires May 16.