Grand Theft Auto VI has broken pre-order records on PlayStation and Xbox stores, and its official release next week is likely to shatter more sales milestones. Meanwhile, questions have arisen: could this game crash the internet? Download traffic across the web is sure to surge around the launch, raising concerns about whether local network infrastructure can withstand the pressure.
Major game releases significantly impact national broadband loads—a fact we confirmed in our 2021 report on the correlation between game download volumes and environmental costs. We also learned that Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, negotiates with game companies to avoid launching blockbuster titles simultaneously with major cultural events like sports competitions, as these all cause sharp spikes in broadband usage. Network bandwidth is prone to congestion, and with player anticipation for GTA 6 being the highest in history, the resulting bandwidth pressure is unprecedented.
For this reason, Openreach, the UK's largest broadband network operator, has been closely monitoring Rockstar's new title. Trevor Linney, Director of Network Technology at Openreach, told gaming media outlet Eurogamer: "We've been keeping an eye on GTA 6 for quite some time. Based on our experience with Fortnite and Call of Duty, major new releases or large updates generate massive amounts of network data traffic, so we're curious to see how high GTA 6 will push peak traffic levels. Our network and operations teams are fully prepared and will closely monitor the game to see if it sets new download records."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Ofcom stated: "Broadband networks are fully capable of handling this download demand. Under Ofcom's broadband code of practice, providers must give customers clear and accurate information about their service and guarantee minimum speeds. If your speed falls below the standard, you can terminate your contract without penalty. We recommend testing your speed in advance so you can focus on playing rather than staring at loading screens." Ofcom's website features a dedicated section with guidance on speed testing and switching providers, which users can consult as needed.
Shortly after officials announced yesterday that GTA 6 had become the most pre-ordered game in the history of the Xbox and PlayStation stores, Sony and Microsoft issued serious advisories, recommending players pre-load the game to avoid issues caused by "unprecedented download demand." Last year, the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong caused chaos on Xbox, Steam, and Nintendo servers, yet that game's influence was nowhere near the scale of GTA 6. I don't recall Selfridges in London being booked out for promotional events during the Silksong launch—do you?
The long wait for GTA 6 is finally coming to an end, with the game officially launching next Thursday, November 19.