GTA 6 Breaks a Circana Record: 29% of US Gamers Plan to Buy It, Pre-Orders Near 7 Million

Grand Theft Auto VI hasn't launched yet, and it's already setting records. According to a Circana report published October 28, 29% of US console and PC gamers say they plan to buy GTA 6. That's the highest purchase intent the research firm has ever recorded for a video game, which makes it the most anticipated release in Circana's tracking history.

Nearly 1 in 3 players plan to buy it

The number comes from Circana's PlayerPulse survey, and the firm sums it up as "nearly 1-in-3" US console and PC gamers, per its press release. Keep in mind that this measures intent, not sales: it shows how many players say they want the game, not how many copies will actually sell.

Circana analyst Mat Piscatella called GTA 6 "a rare cultural and commercial moment for the video game industry" and pointed to the 13-year wait since GTA V as a big reason why, Circana says. He also expects demand "to extend beyond software sales to include consoles, accessories, and gaming subscriptions."

A Black Friday boost for consoles

The timing helps. GTA 6 arrives on November 19, just ahead of Black Friday and the holiday shopping rush, GameSpot notes. Piscatella believes players who haven't upgraded yet may buy a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S just to play it. He also called the game a likely driver of "hardware upgrades, and gaming-related tech purchases throughout the fourth quarter," according to Circana.

Circana also points out that GTA V is still the best-selling premium game in its US tracking history, by both units and dollars.

Sensor Tower: about 7 million pre-orders

Pre-order estimates keep climbing too. GameSpot reports that analytics firm Sensor Tower now puts GTA 6 at roughly 7 million units sold, worth about $675 million. That's up from the 6.45 million estimate we covered on October 24. Sensor Tower believes the game could reach 25 million pre-orders and $2 billion in revenue before launch day.

These are third-party estimates. Rockstar and Take-Two haven't confirmed any pre-order figures.

Console only at launch

One catch: Circana surveyed both console and PC players, but GTA 6 is confirmed only for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for now. A PC version is expected in early 2027, GameSpot says, but Rockstar hasn't announced it.

Looking further ahead, Bank of America analysts expect a new GTA Online could arrive in the first quarter of 2027, GameSpot reports. That's an analyst forecast, not a Rockstar announcement.

What's next

• October 29: Edge issue 430 brings a 16-page GTA 6 cover story, also free online (our coverage)
• November 12: Preloading begins, per GameSpot
• November 19: GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S