Data analytics firm Sensor Tower has a sales tracking tool that allows you to see how many copies of a game have been sold at any time. However, few games reach figures like those of GTA VI. The site states that Rockstar's crime-themed sequel has already surpassed $751 million in revenue from pre-orders alone.
This is clearly a massive sum. Meanwhile, there is also a significant gap in pre-order volumes between the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions. Reportedly, the PS5 version accounts for 74% of pre-launch purchases. It seems that adjusting the visual style of the PlayStation app has indeed had an effect.
It is reported that the new GTA has already sold approximately 7.71 million copies. Of course, this figure comes from just one analytics firm. With only a few weeks left until the game's release, only Rockstar knows the true situation. However, these numbers could very well be accurate.
GTA VI is a title that defines a generation, developed by a studio renowned for pushing the limits of contemporary technology. I can easily imagine it earning billions of dollars before the end of 2026, and then continuing to generate hundreds of millions in annual revenue year after year, much like GTA V.
There are good reasons why other publishers are reluctant to schedule their game releases around it. Nintendo was slightly bolder, scheduling The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D for a similar timeframe. But even an industry giant like Nintendo had no intention of going head-to-head with Rockstar.
Afterward, we can compare the returns generated by these two games. This will also serve as a benchmark for when The Elder Scrolls VI finally launches. In any case, GTA VI has undoubtedly raised the bar to a level that will be difficult to surpass.
