One week since its release, the eagerly anticipated videogame Grand Theft Auto 4 earned for its publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc more than half a billion dollars, after selling over 6 million units globally.

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc said in a statement on Wednesday that GTA 4, a game hailed as a brutal and satirical masterpiece equal to films like "The Godfather," exceeded industry analysts' expectations selling 3.6 million copies in its first day and 6 million during the week.

This is an all-time record for any video game, movie or album and Take-Two’s chairman Strauss Zelnick was quoted by Associated Press as saying, "Grand Theft Auto IV's first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment, and we believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date."

Currently having to deal with an unsolicited takeover offer from rival Electronic Arts Inc, Take-Two said the game cost $100 million dollars to develop, but while the price might seem huge, the company got its money back quite fast.

"We knew Grand Theft Auto IV would break new ground in terms of the player's experience, with its compelling story line, extraordinary gameplay and action that ranges over a broad urban canvas. Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well," Zelnick said, adding "We congratulate the entire Rockstar team on creating a must-have experience that takes the legendary Grand Theft Auto franchise to a new level."

In the meantime, the videogame publisher filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Transit Authority on Monday for allegedly pulling its ads promoting the latest version of the crime game just days after the ads began appearing, thus violating its free-speech and contractual rights, Reuters reported.

According to legal papers, the lawsuit, which was filed in Manhattan federal court, is seeking for an order that demands the CTA reinstalls the ads and pays at least $300,000 in damages. The six-week campaign of 385 ads was barely underway when the CTA decided to yank the advertising spots, possibly fearing controversy.