GTA VI Release Could Cost the Economy $1 Billion, Analyst Estimates

An economics professor at a university in Barcelona has projected how the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI could affect the US economy. His calculations are drawing attention again as the release approaches, and experts continue to debate the game’s potential economic impact.

Jose García Montalvo shared the estimate. It is not an official forecast but an “academic projection.” His reasoning is simple: people will need some time to play GTA VI.

Some companies have already gone beyond approving time off for individual employees and plan to suspend operations on launch day or for a slightly longer period. The professor assumes that about 1.5 million Americans will not work during the GTA VI release period.

For his calculations, the professor used the average annual output of goods and services per average American worker, whose income was estimated at $70,000. The result was a short-term productivity drop of about 2%.

Image source: Rockstar Games

Most of the absent workers during the GTA VI release period are expected to be men aged 18 to 30. The technology sector is expected to be hit hardest. Employees who do show up may also feel the effects of Rockstar’s new game, since late-night gaming sessions take a toll and work efficiency will drop. Some may also get distracted by streams or by discussing the game with colleagues. The potential damage to the US economy is estimated at $1 billion.

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to release on November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.