Grand Theft Auto VI preorders open at midnight on Thursday, setting the stage for what analysts predict will be the biggest entertainment launch in history. The long-awaited game, set for release on November 19, is expected to outsell any other cultural product this year and potentially break records for fastest billion-dollar sales.
Anticipation After 13-Year Wait
Fans have been waiting 13 years since the release of GTA V, and the anticipation is palpable. Red Young, a 26-year-old Scotsman who has spent half his life waiting for Rockstar Games to finish GTA VI, said, "Knowing that we've got here... and I'm actually going to be able to play it, is borderline a miracle." Players can reserve digital or physical copies online or in stores from midnight local time on Thursday, Rockstar announced.
Pricing and Editions
Rockstar also revealed on Wednesday that GTA VI will cost $79.99 in the US, $10 more than the standard price for high-end titles. An "Ultimate" edition, including bonus content like weapons and vehicles, will be sold for $99.99.
Record-Breaking Sales Predictions
Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis stated, "The full launch including pre-orders will be the biggest entertainment launch ever... bigger than any movie, TV series, music concert or album." Analysts at Piper Sandler expect around 45 million copies to be sold before the game's release. This would put GTA VI on track to surpass the record set by GTA V, which made $1 billion in sales in just three days.
Impact on Console Sales
Harding-Rolls also predicted that the game's arrival could boost sales of gaming consoles, which have been affected by a global memory chip shortage driving up prices.
Legacy of GTA V
GTA V sold nearly 230 million copies, making it the second best-selling game of all time after Minecraft. The multiplayer version, GTA Online, has kept millions of fans engaged, but anticipation for a true successor has been intense. A trailer for GTA VI was finally released in 2023, after years of speculation.
Development and Hype
Rockstar Games is known for being secretive, which has only fueled hype. Young noted, "The studio is famously a very, very quiet company." Every screenshot, statement, or leak related to the game draws intense online scrutiny. Development costs are estimated at $1 to $2 billion, making it the most expensive entertainment product ever, surpassing any film. Development has been ongoing for over six years.
Controversy and Setting
The GTA series has long been controversial due to its focus on crime, including burglary, murder, and drug trafficking. All titles are rated for players 18 and over under Europe's PEGI system. GTA VI will be set in a world inspired by Miami and Florida, reminiscent of 2002's Vice City.
