We all knew Grand Theft Auto V as going to be gigantic, but we don't think anyone realised just how preposterously successful it would actually end up being. Rockstar's open world blockbuster has surpassed 80 million sales according to publisher Take-Two, which is an utterly insane figure. Equally mental is that the title has managed to shift 5 million copies since February. The game first released in 2013.
Of course, these massive numbers aren't wholly unexpected, even if they are ridiculous. Grand Theft Auto V has been a mainstay in sales charts ever since it launched, and it refuses to budge even today.
Interestingly, Take-Two says 75 per cent of sales have been physical, meaning that digital copies only count for a quarter of the total. There's no doubt that we're edging closer and closer to a fully digital market, but this at least shows that physical media still commands a considerable audience.
What do you think of these numbers? Can anything stop Grand Theft Auto V? Wait for the inevitable 100 million article in the comments section below.
[source mcvuk.com]
Comments 37
Maybe Rockstar can get @Damo to write an article pooh-poohing RDR2 when it skips the Switch to propel it to similar heights.
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/09/soapbox_why_grand_theft_auto_v_isnt_for_me
Though announcing a Switch version of GTAV alongside RDR2 could get GTAV to that 100m mark, and sell a few Switch in the process. We all know Rockstar delayed RDR2 for the Switch port.
Ridiculous sales numbers. I reckon it can do 100 million when all's said and done, which is bonkers.
It still amazes me how it makes the top 10 charts every week.
I do think it's a truly incredible game though so if any game deserves to sell this many copies, it's something as polished as Rockstar's finest.
Coincidence that they release these numbers the day after delaying RDR2? Sounds like they're still trying to milk the GTAV cow before releasing a new game, not that they "need more time."
That's absolutely crazy. Especially when you consider that I don't think the game was ever an official pack-in. I never played the game, probably never even plan to, but kudos to Rockstar!
80 million and thats 2x as much sony console sales 60 million wow.
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around just how astoundingly successful this game has been.
@rjejr That hurts to read. Sour grapes AND virtue signaling in one terrible article.
Thankfully, the writers on that site are usually better than this.
We will never get grand theft auto 6
Wow and I have never bought it... Take that Take 2, bet you feel my ambivalence right in your pockets.
@JoeBlogs Why make new game if the old game still chart, take 2 will released gta 6 when gta v is out of the chart.
All them copies sold and you think R* would give us that single player dlc they promise but no! Just more online updates with overpriced items ☹️
@get2sammyb If not GTAV, what is the biggest selling game ever (single title, not series)?
@hi_drnick My guess would be Tetris or Super Mario Bros maybe, but I'm going to have to do some research. I know Wii Sports is very near to the top.
Back in a minute.
@hi_drnick It's Tetris according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games
If the sell each copy for a profit of £25 that makes.
£2 billion.
Then there's the micro transactions. The developers of gta v must be the richest people ever.
@Bliquid Potentially, yes.
@get2sammyb
It bothers me that Tetris titles all get lumped together. There are a ton of Tetris releases with completely unique development, and it doesn't seem fair to count them all as one game. That's like if I said Pokemon is the best selling game ever because I'm going to count every game in the series as one.
The best selling Tetris (GameBoy) only sold 35 million. That's the number that should count.
It helps that Rockstar keep updating the online portion with grindy but fun content. And it's all free. I still play it.
If you are going to release a game on 'next-gen' and want to offer a tangible reason to buy it again, then offer something that can significantly change the experience - in this case adding the First Person option. It may not change overall game, story or content but obviously offered a big enough reason to buy it again.
EA, Activision and Ubisoft take note! Phyical media isn't dead. You can't force us to give up physical media just cos you want to force DLC or switch off servers so we have to buy next year's title ahem... FIFA, COD, battlefront, etc. Take Two , CD Project, etc, ftw! Meh... sadly digital is here to stay and it won't be long before our games in future will be switched off at a whim. As gamers we can vote by buying physical media 😀 keep the ownership of games forever alive!!
I played it I don't get the tremendous love . Saints row is just as good
@smythelove - Saints Row is in itself a parody of GTA, which I regard one of the finest games I have ever played.
I mean, the single player campaigns are what it's historically renowned for, and I took 2 years to even notice the online component. Now though, it's a mainstay, and what an incredible experience; the ability to seamlessly mesh top-drawer FPS mechanics, enjoyable, tunable driving and RPG CFO missions is thoroughly immersive and enjoyable.
For me, it's an amazing, cost-free DLC, escape with a AAA developer at the top of their game (sorry)!
@Galvatron Agree about online only talking offline SP. It's all preference just thought it was good but not this good
Once again, not a single mention in the article or the comments about GTA:Online. Thats why this game is still in the charts..
@Rudy_Manchego
Count me as the second person in this universe who never bought it, and never will. I wish RDR got half the love GTA receives.
Eh played one GTA played them all.
V is nothing more then III, with purdier graphics.
Sales numbers are absolutely bonkers, but I personally dont think GTA V is all that special, rather play Saints Row 2.
It's extremely impressive but it's also a great game available to a large number of people considering it's on 5 different platforms so I'm not too surprised. We probably won't be seeing another GTA for a good, long while since this one just keeps raking in the money.
Well I do need a copy for xbox one...
Had it on 360, then got it on Xbox One. I rarely double dip on games. I'm not even a big fan of the series but I do like GTA 5, and I still wish Rockstar would make a new Bully game.
Amazing game! Amazing franchise!! Who's surprised??
@Neolit lol I have all 4 console versions! 360,PS3, PS4 and the Xbox one! A Switch announcement would be earth shattering and of course would be a must buy!! My gut tells me that won't happen though but hell that would blow Nintendo fans' doors off!! Whoa!
@sinalefa Yup - RDR all the way for me too. I already drive badly in real life so no need for GTA but riding across the old west, that is something I can easily spend months of my life doing!
Its a great achievement and its a good game, I wouldn't say I enjoyed it as much as Vice City or San Andreas which are still the highlights of the series, or indeed RDR which is the best "GTA" game ever made. It just seems as these games get prettier that we actually lose features and as nice as the city and countryside we're, I can't help but feel it'd be better been half the size and actually have some buildings I could enter. In any case I'm really looking forward to Red Dead Redemption 2
They have to be counting sales of GTA Online currency in order to stay so high in the charts for so long. The game is great but come on, it can hardly keep outselling brand new games.
@rjejr wow. That's a hack job and a half!
We all have been in need of gta 5 generator online here.
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