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If the “Grand Theft Auto” video game series was a politician, it would have dropped out of the public eye years ago and quietly taken a consulting job with the Mario Bros. But video gamers tend to look past countless lawsuits, inappropriate leaked content, and ratings battles when considering what games to play. Case in point: Take-Two Interactive's newest title, “Grand Theft Auto IV,” (the latest game in the series) sold approximately 6 million copies in its first week on the shelves, according to this AFP report.
...video gamers tend to be able to look past countless lawsuits, inappropriate leaked content, and ratings battles..."Grand Theft Auto IV's first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment," the article quotes Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick as saying. "We believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date." According to the Associated Press, the game took in approximately $310 million on its first day alone.
The phenomenal sales are not just giving Take-Two more leverage in their increasingly frustrating dealing's with a possible hostile buyout from Electronic Arts – they are helping Sony and Microsoft as well. The AP article cites spokespersons for both companies noting a substantial increase in console sales since “GTA IV” launched, with Aaron Greenberg, director of product management at Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, stating, “Retailers say roughly four out of every 10 Xbox 360 consoles sold also included the sale of a copy of 'Grand Theft Auto IV.' ”
The game has garnered critical acclaim, with countless video game reviewers giving it a perfect score...The game has garnered critical acclaim, with countless video game reviewers giving it a perfect score (check out how many there are on Metacritic.com). Hilary Goldstein at IGN.com went as far as to say the game, “...gives us characters and a world with a level of depth previously unseen in gaming and elevates its story from a mere shoot-em-up to an Oscar-caliber drama.”
Regardless of the criticism that has been lumped on the series since its inception, it is clear that “Grand Theft Auto IV” has made video game history. Like it or love it, last week's sales mean only one thing for one of the most controversial video game franchises ever: “Grand Theft Auto” is here to stay. [AFP, AP, MetaCritic.com, IGN.com]
Branden Hart, a TheSequitur.com assistant managing editor, works as an editor in San Antonio.
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