Last week, Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games confirmed what many had assumed to be a forgone conclusion: Grand Theft Auto IV sold well. Just how well? According to the publisher's internal figures, GTAIV sold more than 6 million copies globally in its opening week (3.6 million of which were dispersed on day one), generating revenues in excess of $500 million.

　　As part of the announcement, Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick said in a statement, "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."

　　Today, that claim became as official as it's likely to get. The Guinness World Records committee has announced that GTAIV has set new records for Highest Grossing Video Game in 24 Hours and the Highest Revenue Generated by an Entertainment Product in 24 Hours.

　　Pegging GTAIV's first-day figures at 3.6 million units and $310 million in cash, Guinness Records matched up Rockstar's open-world crime spree to other major releases. According to the record-tracking group, Bungie and Microsoft's Halo 3 previously held the fastest-selling video game record with $170 million in its first 24 hours. Spider-Man 3's box-office debut of $60 million last May held the theatrical movie title, whereas the final book in J.K. Rowling's children's fantasy epic, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, tallied $220 million in day-one sales.