After the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, it was only a matter of time before we heard just how well the game did at retail. Last week, the world seemed to pause for a few days as every enthusiast and mainstream news organization began to breathlessly report on how great and/or dangerous the game was; you couldn't turn on the television or radio without hearing either praise or dire warnings. Now that Take Two has given us some numbers, the sales numbers are incredible: six million units have sold globally, with an estimated $500 million of retail value. The first-day sales? 3.6 million, with a retail value of $310 million. It looks like Rockstar made its budget back rather easily.

Be sure to read our review of the game if you haven't yet, because while both versions of the game seem to suffer from some glitches, this is one of the best showcases for the power of storytelling and voice acting in gaming yet.

The launch also proved that there's room for a gaming and movie blockbusters to coexist side by side. Despite the huge sales of GTA IV, Iron Man had a phenomenal opening weekend. It seems people don't simply lock themselves away to play games... which must shock the politicians.

GTA IV casts a large shadow. Sony is saying that the game is going to bring a boost to its business. The Chicago Transit Authority is being sued by Take Two over pulled GTA IV ads. Last week, no Xbox Live Arcade games were released, because it didn't seem anyone wanted to compete with the Grand Theft Auto IV launch. Jack Thompson got in on the action, and he was helped by a very misguided video put together by IGN.com. It's lucky these games made it to the shelves at all, as UPS employees were busted helping themselves to a free copy.

"Rockstar's goal is to make each new title in the Grand Theft Auto franchise even better than those that preceded it, and Grand Theft Auto IV is a smashing success on that score. Grand Theft Auto IV makes full use of the power of next generation technology, and offers players an experience unique in the interactive entertainment medium. This game sets a new standard in the industry, with critics hailing it as both an artistic and technological masterpiece," said Ben Feder, Take Two's chief executive officer. It's hard to imagine what it's like to be working for Take-Two right now, with the sales numbers pouring in along with the bad publicity.

Hopefully, you've had a chance to actually sit down and enjoy the game, because there is much to like here. In terms of scope, character, and sheer fun, Grand Theft Auto IV deserves these sales numbers. Paradoxically, the launch has proven that the gaming industry is growing up, while the US is still rather immature in how it deals with its media creations.