Grand Theft Auto fans are eagerly counting down to the arrival of GTA 6, leading to an unprecedented demand for Rockstar Games' next blockbuster. Preorder sales have reportedly crossed the tens of millions mark, leading to billions of dollars in sales. The unofficial numbers suggest that the preorders have reached between 39 million and 50 million. At a standard price of $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition priced at $99.99, it suggests that the value of the preorders has crossed $3 billion and could well be around $4 billion already.
The numbers are fueled by the launch finally having an official date after Rockstar Games announced a November 19 launch. While the figures remain unconfirmed by Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive, the extraordinary buzz surrounding the title underscores expectations that it could become the biggest launch in gaming history.
Preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI officially opened on June 25, following Take-Two's announcement that the standard edition would retail for $79.99, while the Ultimate Edition carries a $99.99 price tag. The long-awaited sequel marks Rockstar's first new entry in the franchise since 2013, ending a wait of more than 13 years for fans.
Grand Theft Auto Continues to Dominate the Gaming Industry
Even without confirmed preorder numbers, sentiments across social media suggest that Grand Theft Auto is poised to deliver record-breaking commercial success. The previous installment, Grand Theft Auto V, has sold more than 230 million copies worldwide since its 2013 debut, making it one of the best-selling video games ever released. That success has set enormous expectations for Rockstar's latest release of GTA VI, which returns players to the neon-lit streets of Vice City with protagonists Jason and Lucia.
Despite the expectations, the game's pricing has also generated significant discussion among gamers. The standard edition's $79.99 price represents a new benchmark for premium AAA titles, while the $99.99 Ultimate Edition includes exclusive vehicles, weapons, apparel, and additional in-game content. Nevertheless, these figures have not discouraged gamers, as the unofficial numbers show that demand for Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 is still incredibly high.
GTA 6 Could Rewrite Gaming Sales Records
Whether the reported $3 billion preorder milestone proves accurate or not, GTA 6 is already being viewed as one of the most anticipated entertainment releases of the decade. Projected first-year sales measured in the tens of millions of copies, so the current estimates $3 billion could only be the start during the game's first year on sale. Those projections are based on the franchise's global popularity, Rockstar's decade-long development cycle, and the game's appeal across multiple generations of players.
On the hardware part, retailers are also reportedly preparing for a surge in console demand as the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch day approaches. The most important hardware needs are PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with expectations that inventory could become very limited during the holiday season following the launch. The chip shortage has also affected the availability of gaming consoles, leading to a rise in console prices already.
PlayStation 5 prices have already increased by between $50 and $150. Xbox has also followed the same trajectory, with a $100 increase on 512 gig models and a $150 hike on the 1 terabyte models. However, the numbers are heavily skewed toward the PlayStation 5 as IGN Affiliate reported that GTA 6 orders on PS5 have outsold the Xbox 6-to-1 already.
Speculations are that the reported gap in preorder sales is due to the popularity of the PlayStation 5 compared to the Xbox. But an Xbox spokesperson said that they have actually seen recorded sales of GTA 6. “People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links,” the Xbox spokesperson said.
With the November 19 release date drawing closer, all eyes remain on Rockstar Games to see whether GTA 6 can transform years of anticipation into one of the most successful launches gaming has ever witnessed, and live up to the 13-year hype.