In news that I’m sure is even far less shocking to most of you than Breaking Bad’s ratings being at an all-time high, Grand Theft Auto V and Rock Star Games had a pretty decent first day yesterday. Just how decent was it? Well, for starters it broke the record for retail sales for a video game on its opening day set by Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which earned $500 million when it was released on November 13, 2012.
But not only did the very well-reviewed GTA V break that record, it surpassed it by $300 million to set the new record at a ridiculous $800 million. That doesn’t even include the number of copies that were stolen from people right after they bought them. Naturally, Rockstar and its parent company, Take Two Interactive Software, are feeling pretty good about themselves right now.
“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,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two. “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.” (Via Joystiq)
And they went on to list several of the glowing reviews, which did not include my own prognosis: “I can’t figure out how to even open the package, f*ck this, I quit.”