Rockstar Games' GTA VI Set for November 19 Launch as Preorder Figures Climb

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch on November 19, marking the first new installment of the franchise in 13 years. The game's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, delayed the release twice before setting the current date, and fans are preparing for what analysts say could be one of the biggest video game launches ever.

Record sales expected

Roth analyst Eric Handler estimated that Rockstar spent more than $1 billion developing the game. Sensor Tower estimated more than 12 million preorders through November 13, while Morgan Stanley forecast sales of 40 million copies by March 2027.

Take-Two's stock has more than doubled since the beginning of 2023, according to CNBC. Chief executive Strauss Zelnick told CNBC's "Squawk Box" that expectations were high and "are being vastly exceeded so far." Forbes reported that preorders have passed $1 billion, but also questioned whether the game will revive console sales amid AI-driven price increases.

A lasting franchise and new opportunities for creators

The Grand Theft Auto franchise has a long record of sustained engagement. Even 13 years after its launch, Grand Theft Auto V remains one of the top five most-viewed games on Twitch this year.

Streamers see the release as an opening for growth. Creator Deansocool, who has 375,000 followers on Twitch, told CNBC the game would help newer streamers make a name for themselves. Twitch Chief Product Officer Mike Minton said the opportunity extends beyond launch week, allowing creators to grow and retain their audiences.

Effects beyond gaming

The launch could also reach workplaces and other industries. BambooHR, a workplace time-off platform, reported that paid time-off requests for the release date are nearly 13% higher than for equivalent days in 2024 and 2025, and that nearly one in five workers plan to take time off for the launch.

A PwC report examined sectors that could gain or lose from the release. It projected a possible surge in food delivery orders and a boost for Miami tourism. On the downside, PwC's Bart Spiegel said the game could draw audiences away from video streaming platforms, and that some analysts may cite it when explaining weaker first-quarter 2027 numbers.

Music streaming may also benefit. Tom Petty's "Love Is a Long Road," which featured in the first trailer released in December 2023, reportedly saw its Spotify streams rise by more than 37,000%.

Inside the world of Vice City

The Guardian reported that the game is set in Leonida, a fictional version of Florida, with its Miami-inspired city called Vice City. Lead developers Rob Nelson and Jennifer Kolbe showed the outlet how the team built the setting from years of field research that began with trips to Miami in 2015. The story follows a criminal couple on the run, Jason and Lucia. The Guardian described the world as highly detailed, down to clothing, street art and the contents of fridges.

Rockstar declined CNBC's interview request. The company has not released further details on the sales figures cited by analysts, which come from third-party estimates and forecasts.

What we know so far: Grand Theft Auto VI is due on November 19 after two delays, with preorder estimates and analyst forecasts pointing to a major launch. Its wider effects on creators, travel, workplace time off and rival entertainment will become clearer once sales figures are released in the coming months.