GTA VI Launch Projected to Cost US $1 Billion
Economist José García Montalvo predicts the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI will cause $1 billion in lost US productivity due to mass absenteeism.
The November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI is projected to cost the United States economy approximately $1 billion in lost productivity in a single day. José García Montalvo, an economics professor at Pompeu Fabra University, estimates that 1.5 million workers—primarily men aged 18 to 30 in the technology sector—will call in sick or skip work to play the game. This projection is based on an average annual worker output of $70,000 and suggests a productivity dip of around 2 percent.
Evidence of this trend is already appearing in corporate data. The human resources platform BambooHR reports that paid time off requests for the launch date are 9 to 17 percent above historical averages. Some companies are already preparing for the disruption; California-based Burger Motorsports warned that staff holidays will slow its shipping, order processing, and customer support.
While the broader economy may face a dip, the game's publisher, Take-Two Interactive, expects significant gains. CEO Strauss Zelnick told shareholders the game should drive over $1 billion in operating cash flow this fiscal year. Market research firm Newzoo estimates the title could sell 37 million copies in its opening week, with retail bookings potentially reaching $4.5 billion. Critics note that Montalvo's figure is an academic projection that has not been independently verified and that postponed work may not result in a permanent economic loss.
