As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, Microsoft has also claimed that the title has boosted 360 hardware sales by 54 per cent, with more than 2.3 million gamers playing GTA IV on Xbox Live in its first week.

Sony has released no such statistics, though smaller sales are to be expected given the format's smaller userbase on both sides of the Atlantic.

According to the body, 55 per cent of those sales were made on the Xbox 360, while the PlayStation 3 accounted for the remaining 45 per cent.

Actual hardware sales were closer, however, with the PS3 receiving a 127 per cent sales boost in units sold compared to the 360's 125 per cent boost.

The previous record holder for the UK's biggest ever launch was, funnily enough, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on PlayStation 2, which sold 677,000 units in its first week.

"I am delighted to be able announce today that we have sold more PlayStation 3s throughout Europe than Xbox 360 - even though they launched sixteen months before PS3," SCEE boss David Reeves stated at the company's 'PlayStation Day' conference.

"We are particularly proud of this as it has been achieved in a similar time frame as PlayStation 2 which retailed, if you remember, at a significantly lower price," he continued.

Funnily enough, no comparison was made with Wii sales.

Originally intended for release this year, Sierra has told the magazines that its delay is as a result of the developer - Radical Entertainment - needing "more time to deliver the game the team initially set out to create".

"Since its announcement, Prototype has been regarded by many as groundbreaking and taking the open-world genre in new directions, and in the simplest explanation possible, we need more time to deliver the game the team initially set out to create," the company said in a statement to MCV.

"Both Sierra and Radical are fully aware and appreciative of the multiple ‘Most Anticipated Games of 2008’ accolades and continued enthusiasm by all, however, date changes are common in this industry, especially for publishers and developers committed to launching great games. Further details on Prototype’s 2009 launch timing will be revealed at a later date."

As reported by Fox News back in April, the CTA pulled the ads following a violent shooting in the city. However, Take-Two is taking action as it believes the firm has breached a $300,000 advertising agreement in doing so.

Take-Two is suing for damages of $300,000 and is reportedly seeking a court order to force the CTA to re-run the ads.