• Variety, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11 AM

When it comes to blockbuster sequels, nothing in the video game sphere comes close to touching "Grand Theft Auto." The next iteration of the series is due to hit shelves April 29, a day which video game sellers, lenders, big box retailers, publishers, console makers, Take Two shareholders, Electronic Arts shareholders and the rest of Wall Street will be watching with baited breath.

According to Variety, "Grand Theft Auto IV" is expected to be the biggest selling video game of all time, with projections of $400 million in sales for its first week and 6 million units in total. The previous record is held by Microsoft's "Halo 3," which grossed $300 million in its first week and eventually sold 5 million units. However, "GTA IV" is expected to outdo "Halo" because the Rockstar Games (a unit of Take Two) title will be released on three major consoles, whereas the Microsoft blockbuster was only made for the Xbox 360.

Variety said the sales projections are accurate because publishers can predict early game sales based on what retailers order. Should "GTA IV" eclipse $400 million in its first week, it could potentially land the biggest debut ever for an entertainment product. That record is held by Disney Studios' film "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" which grossed $404 million worldwide in its first six days.

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