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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.
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.com, 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.
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