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Grand Theft Auto

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Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is an open world action-adventure series created by British studio Rockstar North and owned by Take-Two Interactive. It is one of the biggest franchises, having sold over 460 million units.[1] Grand Theft Auto V also owns the record for biggest video game launch, reaching $1 billion in sales revenue faster than any prior title.

Unit sales[]

Title Year Platform(s) Market Unit sales Ref
Main series
Grand Theft Auto 1997 Multi-platform Worldwide 6,000,000 [2]
Grand Theft Auto 2 1999 Multi-platform Worldwide 2,000,000 [3]
Grand Theft Auto III 2001 Multi-platform Worldwide 17,500,000 [4]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002 Multi-platform Worldwide 20,000,000
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 2004 Multi-platform Worldwide 30,000,000 [5]
Grand Theft Auto IV 2008 Multi-platform Worldwide 25,000,000 [6]
Grand Theft Auto V 2013 Multi-platform Worldwide 220,000,000 [7]
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy 2021 Multi-platform Worldwide 19,000,000 [8]
Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack 2,222,672
Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack 2003 PS2 USA 672,396 [9]
Xbox USA 1,375,329
2004 Xbox UK 164,432 [10]
Japan 10,515 [11]
City Stories series
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories 2005 PSP, PS2 Worldwide 8,000,000 [12]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2006 PSP, PS2 Worldwide 4,500,000
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City 703,814
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City 2009 X360 USA 57,000 [13]
2010 X360 Japan 18,214 [14]
PS3 Europe 400,000 [15]
USA 108,000 [16]
Japan 120,600 [17]
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 658,963
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 2009 DS UK 131,438 [18]
USA 163,000 [13]
Japan 30,331 [19]
PSP UK 56,086 [20]
USA 250,000 [21]
2011 PSP Japan 28,108 [22]
Total sales 460,000,000 [1]

Gross revenue[]

Period Gross revenue (est.) Ref
November 1997 to March 2005 $2,000,000,000 [23]
November 2005 to October 2006 $230,000,000 [24]
November 2006 to October 2007 $130,000,000
November 2007 to October 2008 $710,000,000
November 2008 to October 2009 $300,000,000 [25]
April 2012 to March 2013 $23,400,000 [26]
September 2013 to December 2023 $10,221,000,000 [27]
Total revenue $13,614,400,000

History[]

Grand Theft Auto III[]

As of 2008, Grand Theft Auto III has sold 14.5 million units according to Take-Two Interactive,[12] over 7.3 million of which was in the United States.[28] The game reached the one million mark in the UK alone, as of November 2002.[29]

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]

By March 2008, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City sold 17.5 million units according to Take-Two Interactive,[12] including over 6.2 million in the United States alone.[30] The title sold more than 3 million units worldwide in its first 2 months and 1.5m in its first week in the United States.[31] 250K units were sold in the UK in its first week.[32]

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas sold 2.06 million units within six days of release in the United States (released 26 October 2004).[33] In the United Kingdom (released 29 October 2004), it sold an estimated 677,000 copies within two days.[34]

After two months, the game sold 5 million units worldwide.[3] Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, within three months by the end of 2004, sold over 1.75 million copies in the United Kingdom,[35] and 5.1 million copies in the United States.[36][37][38] After six months, the game sold 12 million units by early March 2005.[39]

Grand Theft Auto IV[]

Grand Theft Auto 4 for the PS3 and Xbox 360 sold over 6 million copies in its first week and 3.6 million on day one. This equates to a worldwide sales value of $500 million after one week and $310 million on release day, which was a new all-time sales record for any form of entertainment, including movie industry. In its first day in the United Kingdom, the title sold an estimated 609,000 in one day and 926,000 for one week, both records.[40]. 514,000 units were sold on the Xbox 360 and 413,000 on the PlayStation 3. [41]

According to NPD sales data, GTA4 set Canadian sales records by selling 270,000 copies translating to $17 million. In comparison, Halo 2, in November 2004, sold 222,000 units at launch. Last month "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" debuted at 197,000 copies while "Halo 3" sold 191,000 during its launch in September 2007. [42]

As stated by Take Two, first-day sales for the game was over 3.6 million, equivalent to $310 million. In its first week, Grand Theft Auto IV sold over 6 million units globally, generating income of approximately $500 million. These staggering sales easily beats out Halo 3's first day ($170 million) and week-long ($300 million) sales, the last record for largest amount of sales in this given time. As Take Two chairman, Strauss Zelnick, stated, "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."[43]

According to retailers more than 60% of all GTA games sold in the first week were the Xbox 360 version, although UK supermarket ASDA reported that their PlayStation 3 version was outselling the 360 version 3 to 1. According to retailers, roughly 40% of Xbox 360 consoles are now bought with a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV, and Xbox sales increased by 54% in the week of the GTA IV launch. France sold 525K units in its first month.[44]

Within the first week, GTA IV also became the most played game on Xbox LIVE. More than 2.3 million gamers played GTA IV online in that week, and that had unlocked 12 million achievements worth 100 million Gamerscore points between them. The average Xbox LIVE gamer spent 4 hours player GTA IV online that week, meaning Xbox LIVE hit 1 million concurrent users within the launch week of GTA IV.

It was revealed by NPD that the game sold 2.85 million units in the U.S., split by 1.85M for the Xbox 360 and 1.0M for the PS3, in April, making it one of the biggest video game launches.

As of June 2008, GTA IV shipped 8.5 million copies.[45]

According to the NPD Group and GfK Chart-Track, the game has sold 4.711 million units in the US and 1.582 million in the UK, respectively, for a total of 6.293 million units as of 1 August 2008.[46] As of 16 August 2008, the title has sold over 10 million copies through to consumers, according to Take-Two Interactive.[47]

In September 2011, Strauss Zelnick revealed on the ThinkEquity's annual Growth conference that sale numbers have shipped 22 million.[6]

http://www.edge-online.com/news/gta-iv-tie-ratios-highest-ever

Analysis[]

With the Xbox 360 having 2.4x more systems than the PS3, it was universally expected the 360 version of GTA4 would outsell the PS3 version. The monthly results in NPD April 2008 (1.8m to 1m) gave the 360 a 1.8:1 ratio, much lower than their install base advantage. However, this was also to be expected because unlike titles like Call of Duty 4, GTA4 had significant "Sony loyalty" - as did Devil May Cry 4. In the United Kingdom, the 360 outsold the PS3 version 55/45 in the first week and 62/38 in the second. [1]

Grand Theft Auto V[]

GTA V broke records from the start. grossing $800 million in the first 24 hours [48]and over $1 billion in 3 days.

As of December 2023, it was the Best-selling game of the past 10 years, in both unit and dollar sales.

See also[]

Notes[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://ir.take2games.com/static-files/2b782ec8-e583-4f7b-a213-86f2d1dbce40
  2. ↑ Vargas, Alexia (26 March 2001). "Fun plus games equals profits; Take-Two succeeds in volatile sector; a plan for Europe". Crain's New York Business. Vol. 17. Crain Communications. p. 30. Gale A72508818.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kushner, David (29 March 2007). "The Road to Ruin: How Grand Theft Auto Hit the Skids". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  4. ↑ Cherney, Max A. (7 April 2018). "This violent videogame has made more money than any movie ever". MarketWatch. Archived from the original on 7 April 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  5. ↑ "Filed: New York County Clerk 04/12/2016 09:24 AM". Locke Lord. 12 April 2016. p. 12. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Scribd.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "GTA shipments hit 125m as "special" series continues to grow". MCV. 28 November 2012. ISSN 1469-4832. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Investor Presentation: November 2025. Take-Two Interactive. 6 November 2025. pp. 11–12. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "GTA trilogy remaster sold less than 1 million copies last quarter". TweakTown. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  9. ↑ NPD FLASHBACK: Top 200 best selling PS2/Xbox/GC games end of gen.
  10. ↑ https://ukieprod.blob.core.windows.net/media/Ukie/Resources/Documents/ELSPA_January_2006_Console_Genre_report.pdf
  11. ↑ https://nichebarrier.com/game/7208-grand-theft-auto-double-pack
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer" (PDF). TakeTwoValue.com. Take-Two Interactive. 26 March 2008. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2008.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 NPD (Circana) 2009 Full Year Results
  14. ↑ https://nichebarrier.com/game/17416-grand-theft-auto-iv-episodes-from
  15. ↑ Essentials (PlayStation)
  16. ↑ NPD April 2010
  17. ↑ https://nichebarrier.com/game/17421-grand-theft-auto-iv-episodes-from
  18. ↑ https://ukieprod.blob.core.windows.net/media/Ukie/Resources/Documents/ELSPA_Weekly_Software_2010_12.pdf
  19. ↑ https://nichebarrier.com/game/16605-grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars
  20. ↑ https://ukieprod.blob.core.windows.net/media/Ukie/Resources/Documents/UKIE_Book_48-2010.pdf
  21. ↑ Greatest Hits (PlayStation)
  22. ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/
  23. ↑ "Can A Video Game Lead To Murder?". CBS News. 4 March 2005.
  24. ↑ "Form 10-K: Annual report which provides a comprehensive overview of the company for the past year" (PDF). Media Corporate IR Net. Take-Two Interactive. 19 December 2008. pp. 5 & 29. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  25. ↑ "Form 10-K: Annual report which provides a comprehensive overview of the company for the past year" (PDF). Media Corporate IR Net. Take-Two Interactive. 18 December 2009. pp. 11 & 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  26. ↑ "Form 10-K: Annual report which provides a continuing view of a company's financial position". Phoenix Investor Relations. Take-Two Interactive. May 2013. p. 39. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  27. ↑ "Grand Theft Auto franchise breaks $10.2 billion since GTA V's release". TweakTown. 9 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  28. ↑ http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6192163
  29. ↑ http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2260756/Latest-announcement-of-ELSPA-sales.html
  30. ↑ http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6192163
  31. ↑ http://ps2.ign.com/articles/380/380735p1.html
  32. ↑ http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/san-andreas-smashes-uk-first-week-sales-records
  33. ↑ Morris, Chris (11 November 2004). "'Halo 2' sales top $125 million, beat GTA - Nov. 11, 2004". CNN Money. CNN. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  34. ↑ Reed, Kristan (2 November 2004). "UK Charts: GTA San Andreas smashes UK sales record". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  35. ↑ Fahey, Rob (10 January 2005). "San Andreas dominates 2004 as UK market grows 6.6 per cent". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  36. ↑ Ghibi, Vittorio; Panzieri, Fabio; Rocetti, Marco (19 April 2016). "Middleware for Mobile Entertainment Computing". In Bellavista, Paolo; Corradi, Antonio (eds.). The Handbook of Mobile Middleware. CRC Press. pp. 1189–1226 (1200). ISBN 978-1-4200-1315-3. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  37. ↑ "NPD: $9.9 billion worth of console games sold in 2004". GameSpot. 18 January 2005. Archived from the original on 24 February 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  38. ↑ Lee, Garnett. "Videogame Sales Total $9.9 Billion in 2004". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  39. ↑ "Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2005 Financial Results". Business Wire. 3 March 2005. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
  40. ↑ http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18536
  41. ↑ http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/gta-iv-926-000-copies-sold-in-five-days
  42. ↑ http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080515/entertainment/games_grand_theft_auto
  43. ↑ http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV/Criticism_and_Sales
  44. ↑ http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2008/00026873-les-ventes-de-gta-4-en-france-la-version-ps3-devant-la-360.htm
  45. ↑ http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/grandtheftautovicecity/news.html?sid=6192163
  46. ↑ http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_080821.html
  47. ↑ http://ir.take2games.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=332433
  48. ↑ https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/grand-theft-auto-v-earns-800-million-in-a-day-more-than-worldwide-haul-of-man-of-steel-1200616706/

[]

Predictions[]

UBS analyst Ben Schachter points to 7-8 million for "Grand Theft Auto IV," with upwards of 10.5 million units by the end of the year.
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