Take-Two Interactive announced that Grand Theft Auto 5 was the best selling game of the decade, according to figures from the NPD Group. This is not surprising considering GTA 5 received almost universal praise and acclaim, winning several Game of the Year awards in its release year while now being considered one of the best video games ever. Prior to Take-Two's announcement, it was already known that Grand Theft Auto 5 had become the third best-selling video game in industry history.
Grand Theft Auto 5 released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and was released again the following year for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One before being ported to PC in 2015. Its multi-platform and multi-generational release allowed as many people as possible to play GTA 5, which has helped make it an ubiquitous pop culture reference and a title with longevity. Rockstar also continued to support the game and add new features to it over the last several years, with focus on the online component in particular as it receives new updates and game modes that have kept players coming back.
Take-Two Interactive revealed that Rockstar Games received several accolades for GTA 5, mostly related to the game's impressive sales performance and ability to retain a player base. The game outsold every other title that released this decade on its way to becoming the best seller of the 2010s, and GTA Online also broke multiple audience records for its Diamond Casino Heist Update - a staggering six years after its initial release. Red Dead Redemption 2 also achieved several milestones as well, becoming the best selling game of the last four years, as well as Red Dead Online reaching a new peak for its player base. Together the two titles have sold more than 150 million copies since they launched.
To reward its players Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar are providing several bonuses in both GTA 5 and RDR2. In GTA Online players will be able to earn up to two million dollars in game currency: the first million during January 30th to February 5th, and the other million from February 6th to February 12th. Read Dead Online players, on the other hand, will receive a series of gifts like The Gunslinger's Cache (Schofield Revolver, Varmint Rifle, and the Devastating Ammo Bundle) and The Bounty Hunter's Kit (Bounty Hunter license, 25 x Bolas, and 25 x Tracking Arrow).
Rockstar has given near constant support to GTA 5 since it released in 2013. The game became such a big hit that some fans even purchased it several times over the years, indicating just how much Grand Theft Auto 5 has resonated with fans across a span of generations. With a new GTA potentially on the horizon, seeing how much effort Rockstar is still putting into a game that released six years ago is a strong indicator that the next title will receive an incredible amount of post-launch support as well. If any game in the industry deserves to be the best selling game of this decade, however, it's fitting that Grand Theft Auto 5 was the one to earn that accolade.
Grand Theft Auto 5 can be played on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.
Source: Take-Two Interactive