GTA5: new Grand Theft Auto nabs $800M in sales on 1st day

Grand Theft Auto 5 has sold more than $800 million US worldwide in its first day, according to Take-Two Interactive Software.

It's the highest first day retail sales of any title in the history of the company and the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise.

More than 8,300 North American stores opened at midnight Monday to offer the video game for sale.

"All of us at Take-Two are thrilled with the initial response to Grand Theft Auto V. Once again, the team at Rockstar Games have outdone themselves, setting the entertainment industry's new standard for creativity, innovation and excellence," Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two, said in a statement.

The new title, available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, puts gamers in a virtual sandbox set in Los Santos, a fictional rendition of Los Angeles.

The open-ended game allows players to do everything from go on a crime spree to explore the city.