Grand Theft Auto V was one of the most anticipated games of the current generation of video game consoles, reportedly costing a ridiculous amount to make. Development and marketing ran Rockstar and Take-Two $265 million or so, so the big question is: has all that money paid off?
According to games publisher Take-Two, Rockstar’s newest release has done all of that and more. Initial figures for sales of Grand Theft Auto V over its first 24 hours of availability have been put at $800 million. This is a first-day sales record for the GTA series and, Games Industry reports, might just be a record for the gaming industry as a whole. The previous best was Activision’s Call of Duty” Black Ops II, which made $500 million in its first day on sale.
GTA V should also be on track to beat out Black Ops II in the ‘hit $1 billion in sales’ stakes. Call of Duty: Black Ops II achieved the feat in 15 days. GTA V has probably surpassed it already, though there is no official statement on the situation.
Take-Two CEO and chairman Strauss Zelnick said in a statement, “All of us at Take-Two are thrilled with the initial response to Grand Theft Auto V. Once again, the team at Rockstar Games have outdone themselves, setting the entertainment industry’s new standard for creativity, innovation and excellence.”