Report predicts 'GTA 6' launch could trigger 1.5 million sick days and $1 billion cost
A report cited by NME predicts 1.5 million US workers may call in sick on November 19 to play 'GTA 6' on launch day. It estimates the absences could reduce national output by 2 percent and cost companies $1 billion, with tech firms likely hit hardest. The game is expected to sell tens of millions of copies in its opening week.
The cited analysis, attributed to the International Business Times, ties the projected absenteeism to the November 19 release and suggests younger-skewing technology workplaces may see more disruption. Separate forecasts put first-week sales at no fewer than 37 million copies, with player spending reaching as much as $4.5 billion.
Reporting also notes that some employees reserved leave for launch day, while certain employers steered annual scheduling away from that date. Take-Two’s Strauss Zelnick has said he expects many absences, and Houston Rockets’ Steven Adams has predicted a November dip in athletic performance; the game arrives 13 years after GTA V and has already drawn over 4 million preorders.
The launch could create a short, concentrated disruption for employers, especially younger tech workplaces, while giving some workers a shared cultural event. Productivity may dip briefly, and scheduling may become trickier for managers. Retail and gaming platforms could see intense demand, while sports teams may face distraction. The effects are likely temporary and uneven, with salaried and hourly workers experiencing different pressures.