Ask anyone who has worked on a big budget game, and they’ll tell you that nothing is more important than first week sales. That’s where the bulk of the profits will come from, as a crowded marketplace and a second-hand environment only have so many days with which to turn a profit. And GTA V just turned a profit so ludicrous, it’s almost as criminal as its three lead characters.
According to internal sales estimates at Take Two, GTA V made $800 million on its opening day. Eight. Hundred. Million.Dollars. Italic font.
These figures come from sales across PS3 and Xbox 360, from European and North American territories. And that’s before the game has even gone on sale in Brazil and Japan. “All of us at Take-Two are thrilled with the initial response to Grand Theft Auto V,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said in a press release that I’m about to lazily copy and paste below.
Once again, the team at Rockstar Games have outdone themselves, setting the entertainment industry’s new standard for creativity, innovation and excellence.
Beginning at midnight on Monday, consumers around the world gathered in anticipation to be among the first to experience the evolution of this remarkable series. In North America alone, more than 8,300 stores opened their doors at midnight to welcome fans whose loyalty and enthusiasm were rewarded with what The New York Times called ‘the most immersive spectacle in interactive entertainment’.
We are incredibly proud of Rockstar Games’ creative achievement and could not be more pleased with the success of this launch. Fiscal year 2014 is off to a great start.
It’s going to be a good business year for Take Two. GTA V will most likely hit the billion dollar mark before year’s end, while their upcoming slate also includes WWE 2K14, NBA 2K14 and XCOM: Enemy Within. And then there’s still the matter of more DLC for mega-popular games such as Borderlands 2 and Bioshock Infinite.
Last Updated: September 19, 2013
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 19, 2013 at 10:51
Arrrr, that be some mighty fine loot they ha’e plundered from gamers the world over.
They be sailing home with their hulls and sails full. Arrrr
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 10:51
Aye, ye be slappin PC sales in thar from day one, and there wudda been plenty more bounty
Wooden leg John
September 19, 2013 at 10:56
Hear hear. Unfairly treated is what we have been, for we would’ve added great value to that ‘ere bounty
SaintsRowLee
September 19, 2013 at 11:09
Says the Pirates!
Wooden leg John
September 19, 2013 at 11:13
Oi! I be only a pirate of the seven seas! The Steam Island has given us great deals. Not all of us ‘ere are the same now!
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:16
Aye aye, ye speak the truth
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 19, 2013 at 11:23
Aaar too many pirates there be… aaaarrr!
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 11:25
We be trying to piss the Geoff and Darryl off, we be! ARRRR!
Wooden leg John
September 19, 2013 at 11:26
This is not a place for frail bananas! There ‘ere be a rough sea!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 19, 2013 at 11:26
AAARRR!! Ye scallywag, peg-leg Jim they called me, before I retired and became a banana!
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:33
Ye have a banana fer a peg-leg?
ElimiNathan
September 19, 2013 at 11:34
Aaaar, that aint no banana sonny!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 19, 2013 at 11:36
AAARRRR!!!
The Noble TiMsTeR
September 19, 2013 at 12:17
A one legged Banana, call ye an abomination!
Wooden leg John
September 19, 2013 at 10:54
That be a great header there. But it’s not about the message I say, it’s all about the treasure!
Bob the Zealot
September 19, 2013 at 10:55
Me not being a land-lubber, I never boarded that hype train. I be glad they be doing so well but they’ll never catch me. Not so long as I have the wind in me sails and me gold in me pocket, yarrr!
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 10:56
Aye, ye be wise matie, wise indeed
Bob the Zealot
September 19, 2013 at 11:00
There be far greater booty on the horizon, Admiral. There be aliens and augmented humans (X-COM) and Batman upon us before the tide changes. A pirate must watch is hard earned booty very carefully otherwise scallywags steal it from under our nose.
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:01
Thar be grand bounty indeed matie.
I be appreciatin’ yer avatar an’ name, yo ho!
SaintsRowLee
September 19, 2013 at 11:11
Is @Garethv:disqus a zealot or a ho?
Unavengedavo (aka. Frik)
September 19, 2013 at 11:15
Batman? Are ye refferin’ t’ Leatherwing?
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:16
Arrrrr
That Rum-Drunk Twit
September 19, 2013 at 10:57
Italic font!? What be this ‘ere sorcery!
Wooden leg John
September 19, 2013 at 10:58
It is the writing of the Imperials! Imperial scum!
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 19, 2013 at 11:24
Too much Rum…no wait – not enough RUM!
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:32
Aye aye!
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 19, 2013 at 11:38
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwa7b5aGwR1qe0lzjo1_500.gif
The Noble TiMsTeR
September 19, 2013 at 12:11
Because I drank it all!!
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 19, 2013 at 12:27
http://th01.deviantart.net/fs71/200H/f/2011/212/f/4/the_rum_by_hitsosuki-d428gxl.jpg
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 11:02
Before year’s end? Yee mad?! Before week’s end me thinks!
ElNicko
September 19, 2013 at 11:08
more like , before the end of Tomorrow……COD making 1 billion $$$’s in sales in 15days is a joke compared to this
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 11:13
Aye! They be looting and shooting to the bank!
Theo Steenekamp
September 19, 2013 at 11:03
Fucking excellent game. So I am not surprised. GTA online = OMG SO MUCH MONEY. I think sales will skyrocket again when that gets released.
SaintsRowLee
September 19, 2013 at 11:07
Ahem!!! Language! This is a family site! Henceforth, please refrain from using the F-word, and rather use the child friendly ‘lovemaking’
Thank you!
Wooden leg John
September 19, 2013 at 11:07
Or just use the word m-kay!
DarthofZA
September 19, 2013 at 11:21
lovemaking excellent game doesn’t have the same ring to it…
The Black Mossel
September 19, 2013 at 11:30
Flagship?
Theo Steenekamp
September 19, 2013 at 12:09
Im sorry kind sir, just seen people like OVG etc use that word also:) sorry for offending you in any way. This is a family site alas… have yourself a F$$king good day:)
The Noble TiMsTeR
September 19, 2013 at 12:10
Ovg is special that’s why he can use F bombs.
Rock789
September 19, 2013 at 11:09
Damn fine company, ‘ol Take Two! Loving their games at the moment (from GTA V to Borderlands 2 to Bioshock Infinite…).
They know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to making games! And I say more success to them for it! I’ll definitely keep on supporting. 🙂
Spathi
September 19, 2013 at 12:19
Actually they just give the money, they don’t develop the games. But yes, they do invest in awesome games!
Mark Treloar
September 19, 2013 at 11:14
For those who thought 6 million copies was an unrealistic target. What do you say now?
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 11:20
Tomb raider? Tololo
Spathi
September 19, 2013 at 11:15
R* HQ: “Bad publicity from Fox and the Gamespot review you say? Oh no, no one will buy the game now!” *snicker*
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 11:20
HEHEHE
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 19, 2013 at 11:34
I’m not really sure what to think of the gamespot review. On the one hand I get where she’s coming from, but GTA has always been about showing the dirtiest underbelly of society, and if they sugar-coated gender issues, it would have just stuck out like a sore thumb.
I mean for heavens sake… there’s A Gatmo-style TORTURE SCENE in one of the earlier missions, which is hectic, and I don’t think you’re supposed to walk out of it with a Ha-Ha!.
Either she never played previous GTAs or “misogyny” has become like “generic”, a “go-to term” for hits. While articles like hers expose that gamers have a lot of growing up to do – far too many stone age minds out there- I have to (also) wonder whether that wasn’t a case of pestering the bear?
Tidycpc
September 19, 2013 at 11:21
So what is COD record?
oVg
September 19, 2013 at 13:46
400 million and it made 1 billion in 15 days beating AVATARs record of 17 days.
So it looks like GTAV is going to Teabag COD… 🙂
Russell Gorall
September 20, 2013 at 20:31
Buy whatever shitty pop game you want. Hurray for corporations.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 19, 2013 at 11:23
So in one day, and after spending a budget that was at James Cameron’s Avatar levels, they’re back in the black… Good ol’ Rockstar!
Tarisma
September 19, 2013 at 11:25
Gees with PC sales they could of hit 1 billion
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 19, 2013 at 11:25
But PC gamers are pirates… I SIGNED THE PETITION!!! I SIGNED IT LIKE THE LAW-ABIDING GENERAL AWESOME THAT I AM!!
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 19, 2013 at 11:30
If you are responsible for keeping this game off PC’s….I will cut you.
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:33
Aye, I’ll make thar Banana walk the plank!
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 19, 2013 at 11:36
Walk the plank……I will klap him with it.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 19, 2013 at 11:36
AAARRR!!!!!!
Skoobaz
September 19, 2013 at 11:52
Make the banana-SPLIT!!!!
Wooden leg John
September 19, 2013 at 11:33
Your generalization is foolish you wench! If all us pc gamers are pirates then all console gamers be fratboys who only play FIFA
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:34
Har har har
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 19, 2013 at 11:35
They’re not? :/
The Black Mossel
September 19, 2013 at 11:40
“fratboys who only play FIFA” – I say make all console gamers walk the plank! Yarrrrr!!!! They be swimming with sharrks for such blasphemy!
Admiral Chief Buccaneer
September 19, 2013 at 11:42
Ye be no longer me friend ye scallywag!
Kobus Nel
September 20, 2013 at 17:47
Agreed. Launching on multiple platforms will for sure bring in more revenue. It’s simple math…
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 11:45
If it weren’t for that 46 signed petition, arrrr, twould be on 1billion!
Wenches Love Cool John
September 19, 2013 at 11:46
Such incredible numbers is too much for us pirates to calculate.
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 11:47
“The highest number is 24!”
Blackbeard Timmy
September 19, 2013 at 12:33
aarr 24 it is matie!!
Kobus Nel
September 20, 2013 at 17:44
Or the magic number that is 42 😛
Tbone187
September 19, 2013 at 13:51
bonuses all round!
KrazyGamer
September 19, 2013 at 18:41
This is a very solid proof that Games these days are priced way too high.
Kobus Nel
September 20, 2013 at 17:44
Agreed. But taking so long to bring such an awesome and more epic title than before it, probably makes it worth it. But I’m still not paying the price them console copies caries. I’ll be OK waiting for the PC copy to come out, and I’ll have BF4 to entertain me thill that day comes 🙂
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 20, 2013 at 07:13
HAHA http://9gag.com/gag/ajrNObG