Hours before the official launch, already a phenomenon

Apr 29, 2008 06:15 GMT  ·  By

Today is the big day, the official release of the most expected game of the year - Grand Theft Auto. While real fans are eagerly awaiting to get their hands on the title and start playing until midnight (or even more), the Guinness World Records Book is closely watching Rockstar's game, considering it to be a "potential record-breaking phenomenon". And it will surely be, having in mind that the previous titles in the Grand Theft Auto franchise set a few records themselves.

Here are the records set by the previous titles: First Full "Sandbox" Action-Adventure (GTA III), Biggest Selling Game of 2001 (GTA III), Biggest Selling Game of 2002 (GTA: Vice City), Best-selling Playstation 2 game of all time (GTA Vice City), Best-selling PSP game of all time (GTA Liberty City Stories), Largest in-game soundtrack (GTA: San Andreas), Largest Voice Cast in a video game (GTA: San Andreas), Most Guest Stars In A Video Game Series (the entire franchise).

While we are wondering what new records the new Grand Theft Auto game will break, it seems that the Guinness World Records Book already knows, at least a few of them, but it's keeping them a secret for the moment. And I guess that everybody will agree with keeping the records secret for now - we've got a game to play and no time to search for its records. We still have a lot of time ahead and, who knows, maybe some of the people who start playing the game this very second will have their name written in the book of world records.

However, if you are eager to find out more about all the records set by the games world, pick up the inaugural, Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008, on sale now. Or check the official website for updated news, competitions and, of course, to be the first one to know what records will GTA IV break this year.