More than 3.6 million copies of Rockstar's acclaimed crime opus, Grand Theft Auto 5, have been sold into retailers across the UK.

The enormous sales figure is another startling reminder of GTA's commercial appeal among the masses. The game generated $800 million in worldwide sales in a single day, with revenues reaching $1 billion after just three days.

By early November, Grand Theft Auto V was on its way to becoming the best-selling console game of all time, with about 29 million copies sold into retail. Further sales will likely come from additional DLC and the long-rumoured GTA V for PC, should it materialise.

The best-selling console game of all time (not bundled) is currently Mario Kart Wii, at 34 million units, meaning that Rockstar North has that final record within reach.

Sales figures for GTA V were provided as part of a 2013 preliminary report by the Entertainment Retailers Association.

Overall for 2013, physical game sales declined three per cent. However, according to data (and estimates) by analyst group IHS Screen Digest, digital revenues soared 16 per cent and overtook physical for the first time.

Combined sales showed overall games revenue climbed 6.6 per cent during 2013, making it a £2 billion market in the UK alone. This was driven in part by the sales of new consoles, PS4 and Xbox One, which together have generated more than £300 million in hardware sales alone.

Overall, the UK's music, video and games market made £5.4 billion in 2013, an encouraging 4 per cent increase.

"This is a stunning result after at least five years of decline," said Entertainment Retailers Association director Kim Bayley.

"Retailers have invested hundreds of millions of pounds in new digital services and these numbers suggest the public is responding in their droves. New technologies have historically presented challenges to the entertainment business, but these results show how our members are helping music, video and games companies find new markets."

Posted: Jan 02, 2014 3:10 pm
Related Forum: Grand Theft Auto Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/443680/gta-v-surpasses-36m-sales-across-the-uk/