Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) is slated for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, generating immense excitement among gamers. This anticipation is evident in various ways: a G2A.COM survey of nearly 1,500 users revealed that two-thirds (67%) consider GTA VI among their top three most anticipated games, with over half (51%) ranking it number one. More than half (53%) describe themselves as extremely or very excited, and 50% are more excited for this installment than any previous one. This enthusiasm spans generations, with 64% of users having first played GTA during the GTA III, Vice City, or San Andreas era, and 9% expecting GTA VI to be their first game in the series. Notably, 56% intend to start playing within the first 24 hours of launch, and 33% aim to begin within minutes.
This high level of anticipation is also influencing work and school schedules, with 29% of surveyed users planning to take time off to play GTA VI. A quarter (24%) expect to spend over 40 hours playing in the first week, and 42% are likely to adjust plans with friends and family for the game. This phenomenon has led to some employers adapting. For instance, a U.S. Army unit in Fort Stewart, Georgia, is offering a four-day pass to active-duty soldiers who reenlist between August 1 and November 14, specifically timed to coincide with the game's release. California-based autoparts store Burger Motorsports announced an operational pause on launch day, citing potential impacts on normal business operations due to employee scheduling conflicts.
The commercial and cultural impact of GTA VI is projected to be substantial. Traffic to GTA VI offer pages on G2A.COM surged 65-fold when pre-orders opened and increased over 6000% on June 25 compared to pre-May levels. Demand remained high, with traffic still almost 1,100% above the pre-May average in July, accounting for 48% of all GTA VI traffic on G2A.COM between January and July. The game topped G2A.COM's wishlist rankings in 45 countries, including the US and UK, and was in the top 10 in 46 countries. Take-Two Interactive, the parent company, expects fiscal 2027 net bookings between $8 billion and $8.2 billion, up from $6.72 billion the previous year, with GTA VI being a major growth driver. The game's first trailer garnered nearly 300 million views on YouTube, and the r/GTA6 subreddit has almost 1 million members months before release, highlighting its role as a significant cultural event, especially for Gen Z and Millennial men.
