GTA 5 could earn $1 billion within one month of launch, according to analyst estimates

Grand Theft Auto 5 is even out yet, but that hasn't stopped analysts from boarding on the hype train. I mean, it's completely warranted hype, but hype nonetheless.

Based on what I assume is scientific research (or perhaps just scouring the internet to see that GTA 5 has taken over), an analysts from Baird Equity Research has predicted Grand Theft Auto 5 will generate $1 billion in revenue within the first month of its launch. Is anyone really surprised by this?

Shockingly, this would fall short of what the current record set forth by last year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 from Activision. The Treyarch-developed first-person shooter sold 7.5 million units in its first day alone, generating over $500 million sales. Revenues topped $800 million in its first five days and amassed $1 billion in just 15 days after launch.

The Baird Equity Research analyst furthers that by March 2014, Rockstar's blockbuster sandbox game could ship 20 million units and generate an additional $500 million, totaling $1.5 billion in sales. Sticking solely to Rockstar, GTA 4 made $900 million during its first month, shipping about 3.6 million units on day one and making $500 million in the first week.

Not a bad chunk o' change for a company who believes a game's merits should be judged on its creativity and not on the profit. Maybe tell that to Activision.

[MCV]