GTA 6 Pre-Orders Are Already Crushing Other Major AAA Games
Grand Theft Auto VI hasn’t even launched yet, but Rockstar Games may already be preparing for a release unlike anything the gaming industry has seen before. New sales data suggests GTA 6 is pulling significantly ahead of some of the biggest AAA games of recent years, and the gap is difficult to ignore.
According to data compiled by market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, GTA 6’s digital pre-orders in the United States are pacing 148% ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II’s pre-orders over a comparable period before release. That’s a remarkable lead over a game that was itself one of the biggest releases of 2022.
With GTA VI scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, the latest figures offer another indication of just how much anticipation has built around Rockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto game.
GTA 6 Is Leaving Other Blockbusters Behind
Sensor Tower analysed digital pre-order performance for several major games released over the past six years, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Diablo IV, Hogwarts Legacy and Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Among those titles, Modern Warfare II recorded the strongest digital pre-order performance. However, GTA 6 is currently tracking 148% ahead of that benchmark over a comparable pre-launch period.
The comparison comes with an important qualification: the figures cover digital game pre-orders in the United States, rather than every purchase worldwide. Physical copies aren’t included, so the data doesn’t represent the complete picture of GTA 6’s total sales.
Even with that limitation, the numbers underline the extraordinary demand for Rockstar’s upcoming release.
You can read more about the industry data in this GamesIndustry.biz report on Sensor Tower’s GTA 6 pre-order figures.
GTA 6 Has Already Generated More Than $630 Million
The pre-order figures become even more impressive when looking at Sensor Tower’s GTA VI sales tracker.
At the time of the report, the tracker estimated that GTA 6 had sold more than 6.45 million copies, generating over $630 million in revenue before the game had even reached its launch date.
Those figures are estimates from Sensor Tower, rather than an official sales announcement from Rockstar Games.
The company has also suggested that the final stretch before launch could be particularly important. According to previous projections cited in the report, the bulk of pre-orders could arrive during the final week before release.
Some estimates have suggested that GTA 6 could reach 25 million pre-orders. At an illustrative average of $80 per copy, that would represent $2 billion in gross sales before launch, although actual revenue would depend on the editions purchased, regional pricing and other factors.
If demand continues at this pace, the final pre-launch numbers could be considerably different from today’s estimates.
PS5 Is Leading GTA 6 Pre-Orders
Sensor Tower’s data also reveals a substantial difference between the two platforms confirmed for launch.
According to the tracker, approximately 74% of GTA 6 pre-orders are on PlayStation 5, while Xbox Series X|S accounts for the remaining 26%.
The split isn’t particularly surprising given the PS5’s larger installed player base compared with Xbox Series X|S. Nevertheless, both platforms are contributing to the game’s enormous pre-launch performance.
GTA 6 will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026. Rockstar has not announced an official PC release date, although reports have pointed towards a potential PC version in 2027.
For now, console players will be the first to experience the next chapter in the Grand Theft Auto series.
GTA 6 Online Could Make Rockstar Even More Money
The launch of GTA 6 is only one part of the bigger picture.
Although the game is expected to deliver a substantial single-player experience, Rockstar is also widely expected to develop a new iteration of GTA Online. The existing online mode has generated significant revenue for the company over the years, helping Grand Theft Auto V remain commercially successful long after its original release.
A new online experience built around GTA VI could create another major revenue stream, although Rockstar has yet to reveal its full plans for the next generation of GTA Online.
The combination of single-player sales, future online content and continued player interest could make GTA VI an important release for Rockstar well beyond November.
November 19 Could Be a Historic Day for Gaming
GTA 6 is already outperforming several major AAA releases in Sensor Tower’s digital pre-order comparison, and the game still has weeks to go before launch.
The reported 148% lead over Modern Warfare II, alongside estimated sales exceeding 6.45 million copies, illustrates the scale of interest surrounding Rockstar’s next blockbuster.
However, pre-order estimates aren’t final sales figures, and the US digital comparison shouldn’t be mistaken for a worldwide ranking of total game sales.
The real test arrives on November 19, when GTA VI finally launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Until then, the question is how much further those numbers can climb before players finally get their hands on the game.
Stay tuned to GTAVIGALAXY.com for more GTA VI sales updates, Rockstar news and the latest developments ahead of launch.
