GTA VI Preload Caused Widespread Internet Outages in Europe

Mass preloading of GTA VI has put record pressure on internet networks in Europe, with providers reporting sharp traffic increases and some users experiencing connection problems.

Players were allowed to download GTA VI to their consoles ahead of release. Providers across Europe saw a sharp rise in network load as millions of fans began downloading the game.

The Rockstar Games title requires a download of more than 200 GB. GTA VI also became the most preordered game in PlayStation Store history, according to the report.

In Germany, some providers recorded a tenfold increase in traffic to console servers during the night of November 9–10 compared with ordinary days. The United Kingdom and Sweden recorded all-time highs in internet traffic, while Denmark and Estonia experienced similar problems.

In some regions, users complained of connection disruptions as hundreds of thousands of devices downloaded data simultaneously over overloaded networks.

One US internet provider took a different approach, launching a free promotion that temporarily increases customers’ internet speeds at no extra charge. The offer is intended to help gamers download the game faster and free up network bandwidth for other users.

Source: iXBT.games