Rockstar Games just launched its latest installment in the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise on Tuesday with the release of "GTA V." The game is already such a success for the company that many are starting to think early estimates of the game generating $1 billion in sales in its first month at retail might be right on the money.
"Given the significantly higher installed base of relevant console platforms at launch, greater sales concentration among the top video game franchises, and unprecedented pentup demand," said Colin Sebastian of Robert W. Baird said, via IGN. "We expect GTA 5 to outpace GTA 4 sales, and generate roughly $1 billion in retail sales during the first month."
Analysts Arvind Bhatia and Brett Strauser of Sterne Agee estimate "GTA V" could go as far as to sell 20 million copies by the end of its fiscal year at the end of March of 2014.
"We see potential for worldwide day-one sell-through of 6.5 million units [and] $400 million for GTA V," they added. To put this into perspective, the new title's predecessor "Grand Theft Auto IV" shipped nearly 25 million since its release in 2008.
Take-Two predicted that its software lineup would generate between $750-$800 million for its entire financial quarter. This would go a long way toward helping the company hit its $2 billion earnings prediction for all of its products by March 2014.
"GTA V" is receiving vast praise from reviewers. It received a rare and coveted 10/10 score on IGN and was received positively by USA Today and The New York Times. The game's massive open world is perhaps one of its biggest appeals. It takes place in the fictional city of Los Santos, a parody of Los Angeles.
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