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Analysts the world over predicted that the sales numbers for Grand Theft Auto IV would be huge, possibly even eclipsing the record set last year by Halo 3. The prognosticators said that the impact of the game on the marketplace would even cut into the take of the summer's first blockbuster movie candidate, Iron Man. We learned on Monday that Iron Man didn't fare too poorly, bringing in a cool $100 million. But we still hadn't heard about GTA's numbers. Until today.

The New York Times first reported, and Take-Two has since confirmed, that in its first week GTA IV made $500 million worldwide, completely obliterating every sales record mankind has ever set, and more than likely frying the brains of several market pundits. The Times says that comes out to 6 million copies being sold, with 3.6 million of that number on the first day alone.

Apart from being larger than the 2007 gross national products of 162 countries in the world, $500 million is sure to go a long way to lending credence to the T2 board's stance that Electronic Arts's buy-out offer has always been inadequate. Clearly the value of a company that can pull in $500 million in a non-holiday season has got to be greater than even the $2 billion inital offer. It should be interesting to see the next chapter in this corporate soap opera.

Below is the Take Two release about the sales figures:

New York, NY – May 7, 2008 – Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), 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.

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