Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) announced Wednesday that it has sold about 6 million units of the newest installment of its popular "Grand Theft Auto" video game franchise.
The news has significant implications for the takeover bid Take-Two has received from rival video game maker Electronic Arts (ERTS), as the company has said it would be willing to negotiate a merger once Grand Theft Auto launched.
Take-Two reported sales for Grand Theft Auto IV of $500 million in its first week. The video game sold about 3.6 million units in its opening day, with a retail value of about $310 million globally.
Grand Theft Auto has received intense criticism for its violent criminal content, but has also drawn praise for an open-ended storyline that allows players wide control about what their characters do.
Strauss Zelnick, chairman of Take-Two, said of the launch, "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."
Electronic Arts had offered $26 per share to acquire Take-Two, though that price was recently trimmed to $25.74 per share to include the additional shares to be issued to Zelnick Media.
The transaction is valued at approximately $2 billion in cash, with the tender offer recently extended to to May 16.
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