Data traffic surged across several Swiss internet service providers this week following the release of the pre-load files for "Grand Theft Auto VI".
At Sunrise, the influx of users downloading the massive game files pushed network volume to eight times the usual levels during peak periods, SWI SWI swissinfo.ch reported.
Sunrise confirmed to SWI SWI swissinfo.ch that its daily average data volume rose by approximately 30 percent. The company said that its infrastructure handled the surge without issues and maintains substantial reserve capacity.
Salt observed only localized increases in data traffic, noting that its network remained stable throughout the process, according to the Tages-Anzeiger. Swisscom declined to provide specific data regarding the impact of the game, stating it does not track or disclose information on the sources of individual data demands.
“Grand Theft Auto VI” is currently the most pre-ordered game in the history of the PlayStation Store, according to data from Sony cited by SWI SWI swissinfo.ch. The project costs more than one billion dollars, according to industry estimates.
This release marks a transition for the series, as the game is distributed exclusively as a digital download rather than on physical discs. The technical requirements for the title have been a major focus for players, with Rockstar Games confirming performance specifications for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X and S consoles, IGN Deutschland reported.
The franchise debuted in 1997, and its predecessor, “Grand Theft Auto V,” has sold more than 200 million units since its 2013 launch. The new pre-load trailer features the song “Blood in Your Eyes” by Tove Lo and highlights a partnership between Sony and Rockstar Games, carrying the “Plays Best on PS5” label seen throughout the game’s marketing materials.
The 29-second clip includes footage of characters Lucia and Jason in a nightclub, a daytime racetrack scene, and music producer Dre’Quan Priest, who is described as having his sights set on the Vice City scene. Other sequences show a boat party, an active SWAT team, and Lucia preparing for a night out.
The trailer concludes with a character making a dramatic exit, stating:
“Oh, jetzt geht’s erst richtig los!”
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently discussed the long-term outlook for the title and its online mode in an interview with IGN. The game is scheduled for worldwide release on November 19, 2026.
