Take-Two's financial results for this past quarter exceeded its own expectations and predictions, and maybe everyone elses too.

Thanks especially to Grand Theft Auto IV (which raked in over $500m), net revenue for the third quarter was $433.8 million, compared to $206.4 million for the same time last year. Other titles released during this period include Carnival Games (DS), Prizefighter, MLB Power Pros 2008 (Wii, PS2), Civilization Revolution (multiplatform), and Top Spin 3 (multiplatform).

For the nine months ended July 31, 2008, net revenues were $1,214.1 million, compared to $689.2 million for the same period a year ago. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $112.1 million or $1.48 per share, compared to a loss of ($131.3) million or ($1.83) for the 2007 period. Results for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 include $31.1 million in stock-based compensation expense ($0.41 per share); $10.7 million in professional fees and legal expenses, primarily related to Electronic Arts' unsolicited tender offer ($0.14 per share); and $2.9 million in business reorganization costs ($0.04 per share). Results for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 included $34.3 million of business reorganization costs, legal expenses and other professional fees ($0.48 per share); as well as $12.6 million in stock-based compensation expense ($0.18 per share).

Below are the business highlights as noted by Take-Two:

- Sales of Rockstar Games' blockbuster Grand Theft Auto IV continued to exceed the Company's expectations. Over 10 million units have been sold through to consumers as of August 16, 2008.

- Carnival Games™, a wholly owned and internally developed title for the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo and Nintendo DS™, has shipped over 2 million units since its debut in late August 2007. 2K Play will be expanding the franchise with Carnival Games: Mini-Golf for the Wii in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

- Gary Dale was named Chief Operating Officer of Take-Two, responsible for Take-Two's publishing labels, sales activities, international expansion and business development initiatives. He had previously served as Executive Vice President of Take-Two.