GTA VI has set a new industry record before it is even out. New data from Circana shows that 29% of US console and PC gamers plan to buy the game. That is nearly 1 in 3 gamers. Circana says it is the highest purchase intent it has ever recorded for any video game.
The figures come from Circana’s PlayerPulse research. The report was published on October 28 with just three weeks left until launch.
Circana analyst Mat Piscatella called GTA VI a rare cultural and commercial moment for gaming. He said the demand is fuelled by the 13 year gap since GTA V. He also expects the launch to lift sales of consoles, accessories and gaming subscriptions as players get ready for release day.
The timing helps too. GTA VI launches on November 19. That is just before Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. Piscatella expects the release to push extra PS5 and Xbox Series X|S sales through that period.
Pre-orders are already huge. Sensor Tower estimates that GTA VI has passed 7 million pre-orders. That is around $675 million in revenue before launch. Sensor Tower believes the total could reach 25 million pre-orders and $2 billion in revenue by release day.
For context, GTA V is still the best selling premium game in Circana’s tracked history. It built that record over 13 years. GTA VI is setting records before a single copy is playable.
Purchase intent is not the same as confirmed sales. Some of those players will wait and buy later. But no game in Circana’s tracking history has ever started from a position this strong.
GTA VI launches on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-loading begins on November 10.
