Grand Theft Auto 6's Fall 2025 Console-Only Launch: A Risky Strategy?
Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is slated for a Fall 2025 release, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This notable omission of PC from the initial launch lineup has sparked debate. While consistent with Rockstar's past practices, this decision feels increasingly unconventional in 2025's gaming landscape. Is it a missed opportunity, or even a mistake, given the PC platform's growing significance in multiplatform game success?
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed this question, hinting at an eventual PC release for GTA 6. He cited Rockstar's historical pattern of staggered platform releases, contrasting it with the simultaneous launch of Civilization 7 across multiple platforms. While Rockstar's history of delayed PC releases and a complex relationship with the modding community are well-documented, many hoped GTA 6 would mark a shift in this approach.
Although PC gamers can expect a GTA 6 release eventually, the timing remains uncertain. Given the Fall 2025 console release window, a PC launch before 2026 seems unlikely.
AnswerSee ResultsA former Rockstar developer recently attempted to explain the delayed PC release, urging patience and understanding. However, the potential impact of this strategy is significant. Zelnick revealed that PC versions can contribute up to 40%, or even more, of a multiplatform game's total sales.This revelation is particularly relevant given the current console market's downturn. Sales of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have declined, and the next console generation remains unannounced. Zelnick highlighted the PC market's growth as a counterpoint to this trend.
AnswerSee ResultsZelnick anticipates that GTA 6's release will boost console sales, as it has historically done with major titles. However, the increasing importance of the PC market suggests that excluding it from the initial launch might prove a costly decision in the long run, even if it initially drives console sales. The potential of a PS5 Pro acting as a "GTA 6 machine" is also discussed, although technical limitations might prevent achieving optimal performance.