So everyone thought that GTA IV would do well, but Guinness was keeping their eye on this one for some time now. Looks like Rockstar with GTA IV has spanked the previous record for the highest grossing video game in it’s first 24 hours on the market. This title previously was held by the MS juggernaut that is Halo 3, it also beat out Spider Man 3 and Harry Potter. GTA has already solidified it’s place in the record books and in gamer’s hearts already. Bravo to Rockstar.

Here is the official word:

The famed Grand Theft Auto series has made headlines yet again! As newly-released sales figures show, Grand Theft Auto IV has crushed the competition by selling 3.6 million units and earning $310 million in its first day of release, earning Guinness World Records™ for the Highest Grossing Video Game in 24 Hours and the Highest Revenue Generated by an Entertainment Product in 24 Hours. These records establish GTA IV as the most profitable entertainment release of all-time, far surpassing other video game, film and book releases. According to Guinness World Records™, this is how the game stacks up against the competition:

Fastest-selling video game in 24 hours: Halo 3 at $170 million
Fastest-selling theatrical movie in 24 hours: Spider-Man 3 at $60 million
Fastest-selling book in 24 hours: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows at $220 million