jack89
Date:
2008-05-02
Time: 19:44:00
|
Critically acclaimed video game Grand Theft
Auto (GTA) IV is on course to beat the record
for highest first week sales of any video
game in the UK.
The title sold a record 609,000 copies on its
first day of release, generating an estimated
£24.4m ($48.5m).
The previous record holder was GTA: San
Andreas, which sold 501,000 copies in 24
hours in October 2004.
But despite its success the game has been hit
by reports of software problems and crashes
on some consoles.
"The cut scene at the office is freezing up..
I get audio, but the video just freezes,"
wrote one gamer on Sony's PlayStation 3
forum.
The problem was originally thought to be
confined to games running on the 60GB version
of the PlayStation 3 sold in the US. However,
other models running the game also seem to be
affected.
In addition, gamers that have bought the
version for the Xbox 360 have also reported
problems.
"Is anyone else experiencing major freezing
issues? I cant play the game for more than 10
mins without it freezing," wrote one on the
Xbox forums.
Record-breaker
Rockstar, the makers of the GTA series, has
acknowledged the problem and is reportedly
working on a fix.
The developer experienced similar problems in
March when it launched another title, Bully,
on the Xbox 360.
Rockstar eventually released a software patch
to fix the problem.
The latest bout of crashes could cast a
shadow over the record-breaking GTA IV
title.
However, despite the problems, reviews have
been almost been unanimous in their praise.
The game currently has an average review
score of 98.7%, according to
Gamerankings[censored], which amalgamates
reviews from all publications.
UK-based games website Eurogamer called it
"game of the year" and handed it a 10 out of
10 review score.
The title cost approximately $100m to make
but could quickly recoup the costs.
According to Chart Track it not only recorded
the highest sales for any game in its first
24 hours, it also set new records for first
day sales for any game on both the PS3 and
the Xbox.
The title smashed the PS3 record by nearly
200,000 copies. Previous record holder Gran
Turismo 5: Prologue sold just 80,000 copies.
However, it was a closer run race on the Xbox
360. Microsoft's Halo 3 had previously
notched up first day figures of 266,000
compared to GTA's recorded 335,000.
Rockstar will find out on Tuesday whether the
title will also clinch records for first week
sales.
Source: BBC. |
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