Grand Theft Auto VI release to cost US economy $1 billion

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 16:58 · Archive

The US economy could lose $1 billion in productivity when Grand Theft Auto VI launches on 19 November as workers take sick leave and vacation.

The US economy is expected to lose $1 billion in productivity on 19 November when Grand Theft Auto VI launches, according to economic estimates cited by both outlets. As many as 1.5 million workers are predicted to call out sick or take vacation on release day, with some having already banked paid time off specifically for the occasion. At least one company has reportedly built the date into its end-of-year benefits packages as a perk for employees.

Take-Two Interactive, the game's publisher, expects the release to drive over $1 billion in operating cash flow this fiscal year. Preorder revenue has already reached approximately $600 million, according to SensorTower's GTA preorder tracker.

The 2013 release of the previous installment, Grand Theft Auto V, saw similar disruption. An IGN survey of nearly 11,000 readers found that 46% had taken the day off and nearly 20% planned to call in sick. On its release weekend, 6% of the population aged 18 to 35 missed work in New York City and Los Angeles, according to Cadena SER.

How it is being reported

• 'Grand Theft Auto VI' release set to cost US economy staggering amount as gamers plan PTO daysExperts predict a $1 billion economic hit when "Grand Theft Auto VI" drops November 19, as workers nationwide are already lining up sick days.Fox News · 20 Oct, 16:38
• Video game’s release could cost US economy $1B in lost productivity in just one dayThis is no game. The US economy could lose $1 billion in productivity in one day when the new “Grand Theft Auto” video game drops – as thousands call out sick and take vacation, experts said. Companies are bracing as a frenzy builds around “Grand Theft Auto VI,” the latest installment in one of the...New York Post · 19 Oct, 17:46

In this story: Grand Theft Auto VI · Take-Two Interactive · Vice City · United States · New York City · Los Angeles

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