San Andreas Fastest Seller Ever
Officially UK's fastest, says ELSPA.
It's official - ELSPA has announced that Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for PlayStation 2 is the fastest selling videogame ever in the UK. Shifting just over a million copies in nine days, the game has destroyed all that came before it.
"This is a magnificent achievement and equates to a staggering estimated value of more than £35 million," said Roger Bennett, director general of ELPSA.
"The entire Grand Theft Auto series has been a phenomenal success worldwide, generating sales of more three and half million units in the UK alone. But best of all, this series is home grown, developed right here in UK."
Perhaps more important than the monetary gains, according to Bennett, is the positive exposure that videogames have received because of the series, and the encroachment of videogames to a level of public awareness previously reserved for more established media.
"What has been so satisfying is the exceptionally high level of awareness for both GTA and videogames in general, in both media coverage and the public consciousness," said Bennett.
"Perhaps for the first time, we have seen the kind of buzz which one would normally only associate with the release of a blockbuster movie, endorsing once again the increasing economic, cultural and mass market impact of interactive home entertainment."
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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