With GTA 6 on the horizon, its potential to drive console sales is creating a buzz in the gaming world.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to be one of the biggest game releases of all time, but its launch strategy raises some big questions. With no PC release at launch and potential price hikes for consoles, the gaming landscape could shift in unexpected ways. Will GTA 6 drive console sales despite rising costs, or will more players turn to PC? Here’s everything you need to know about how GTA 6 might reshape the gaming industry.
GTA 6's Impact on Consoles
GTA 6 is set to make a massive impact on the gaming world, with estimates predicting over $3 billion in revenue during its first year. Preorders alone could surpass $1 billion, while predictions indicate 40 million units sold in the first year, potentially reaching 100 million by 2030. Building on the long-term success of GTA 5, which continued to generate revenue years after its release, Rockstar Games is poised for another billion-dollar hit. The game's mix of physical, digital, and microtransaction sales is expected to create a steady revenue stream for years to come.
The launch of GTA 6 is also expected to drive significant console sales. With the game's potential to sell millions of units in its first year, new versions of consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox handhelds could see even stronger sales. GTA 5 helped millions of players upgrade their consoles, and GTA 6 is likely to be an even more powerful motivator for purchasing new systems. Analysts predict the game could sell over 100 million units in its first few years, with the growth fueled by both console sales and ongoing microtransactions.
The Console vs. PC Debate
The reason people in the industry are now talking about a potential boost in console sales thanks to GTA 6 is simple: PC gaming has been on a steady rise in recent years. Modding, free online services, and backward compatibility are just a few reasons why gamers tend to shift towards PC gaming.
Depending on how you present the numbers and which statistics you consider, some claim that PC gaming has surpassed console gaming. Looking at the console sales alone gives a much clearer picture. Console sales have sharply declined, with a 21% drop in Europe compared to the previous year. The Xbox Series X/S saw a dramatic 48% decrease, while the PS5 and Nintendo Switch also experienced losses of 20% and 15%, respectively.
The fact is, it's a tight race between the two, while mobile gaming is far ahead. So, perhaps Rockstar should stop ignoring PC gamers so much and try to get GTA 6 running on your iPhone.
Have you already decided where you’ll play GTA 6? Will you invest in a new console, or are you making the switch to PC? Tell us in the comments!