As the release date approaches on November 19, 2026, Grand Theft Auto VI presales have already surpassed $750 million, according to Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick.
Speaking in an interview ahead of the company’s Q2 FY2027 earnings call, Zelnick stated that the figures are running far in excess of our expectations.
Take-Two CEO Says GTA 6 Presales Exceed Expectations
The upcoming title, developed by Rockstar Games, is heading toward a launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Standard editions are priced at $79.99, while the ultimate version will cost $99.99. Recent data suggests that 7.71 million copies have already been sold ahead of launch.
With presales expected to top $800 million by the upcoming earnings update, the title is on track to match a milestone that Grand Theft Auto V reached in its first 24 hours.
Observers note that the title could surpass $1 billion in sales by launch day, potentially setting a record for the fastest launch in entertainment history, with some projections anticipating up to $5 billion in sales and over 20 million copies sold during its first week.
Anticipation Creates Ripples Across Entertainment and Gaming Sectors
The massive anticipation surrounding the release has created ripples across the broader entertainment and gaming sectors. According to market observations, competitors have cleared the calendar, leaving only one other major release scheduled for the month while other publishers pushed their titles into next year.
Market research indicates that streaming providers such as Netflix and Hulu anticipate a noticeable drop in viewers following the launch, while sports figures have joked about low team performance metrics during release week due to players taking time off.
Cross-promotional efforts have also taken physical form in Miami through a partnership with the city to bring aspects of Vice City to life, featuring in-game billboards, a themed airport wall, a rethemed local arena, and a Miami Heat game inspired by the setting.
Previous promotional efforts, such as the release of the game’s first trailer, drove a 37,000% streaming surge for Tom Petty’s Love Is a Long Road,
while cross-promotion products and pop-up events have gained significant traction.
Take-Two Reports Quarterly Financial Results and Revenue Figures
Alongside the presale figures, Take-Two reported its financial results for the July through September quarter, posting a net loss of $54 million, or 29 cents per share, on net bookings of $1.6 billion. Game revenue for the quarter reached $1.38 billion, and ad sales hit $121 million, though sales for the “NBA 2K” franchise came in softer than anticipated. Wall Street had previously forecast an EPS loss of 86 cents on $1.66 billion in revenue.
When asked about potential future releases on other platforms such as PC and the Nintendo Switch 2, or a full physical disc release, Zelnick maintained that such information always comes from our labels and left those announcements to Rockstar. Additionally, following a statement released Monday by SAG-AFTRA supporting Rockstar Games workers’ decision to unionize, Zelnick declined to comment.
Despite the record-setting trajectory, Zelnick cautioned against premature celebration. That’s a good thing,
Zelnick told Variety. That said, we never claim success before it occurs. So we’re just days away from beginning to see the fruits of our labor.
Earlier coverage: GTA VI Presales Far in Excess of Expectations, Says Take-Two CEO
