'Grand Theft Auto IV' makes a killing in first week

First-week sales of the video game Grand Theft Auto IV made a killing, knocking off records, and blowing away analyst expectations.

Take-Two Interactive, the game's publisher, is expected to announce Wednesday that the game sold 6 million copies and raked in $500 million in its first seven days on the streets, according to a report on The New York Times' Web site Tuesday night. The game sold 3.6 million copies its first day on the market, according to the report.

Analysts had expected 'GTA IV,' which has been criticized as excessively violent, to sell 5 million copies during its first two weeks and 9 million copies total. GTA IV's first-week sales beat the previous record held by last year's release of Halo 3, which earned $300 million its first week on the market.

Shares of Take-Two have been trading higher, thanks to the excitement surround the game's release. On Tuesday, Take Two's shares closed at $26.35, up 29 cents. The first-week sales success gives a boost to the game publisher, which was targeted for hostile take by Electronic Arts in March. Take-Two rejected that offer, calling it "inadequate."

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