Though, it might sound weird to you but yes, GTA 5 is the leading entertainment industry by a long way leaving behind popular Hollywood movies. Rockstar’s latest installment, Grand Theft Auto 5 earned $1.06 billion in just 3 days and became fastest selling and widely popular entertainment product.
Last year, it was Call of Duty: Black Ops II that earned $US1 billion in 15 days but Grand Auto Theft 5 made sales of other games look sluggish. Hollywood ticket sales also look mind blowing but there are only 17 movies that ever reached sales record of GTA 5. Avatar was the only Hollywood product that reached Grand Theft Auto 5’s mark in 17 days by outstripping Titanic’s sales record.
Though, Hollywood has been buoyant to threats from social media, piracy and television drama but increasing popularity of computer video games seems a good reason for studio executives to be worried.
As compared to erratic reviews for Hollywood movies, GTA 5 received great commendation from both gamers and critics. According to “The New York Times”, this R18+ game is character driven, best plotted and most playable in the sixteen’s series.
Though, there were some reservations about GTA 5 that it contained hoodlums, women shown as lustful airheads, lap dances, cop killings, ghastly torture and use of other violent acts but still it received great acceptance and gamers termed it as “Hugely enjoyable”.
Reports say that, GTA 5 cost $US 115 million and about $US150 million were used for its marketing. This budget is almost same to the amount required for Hollywood movies which proves that computer video games are going to be the next biggest contender of Hollywood movies. Critics say that Hollywood needs to come up with something new that diverts people’s attention from games towards movies. Otherwise, time is no far when games will rule the entire entertainment industry.