Strauss Zelnick predicts a surge in console sales after the release of GTA VI

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, in an interview with CNBC, expressed confidence that the release of Grand Theft Auto VI will significantly impact the gaming console market. He believes that even at the end of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X life cycle, the game will be a powerful incentive for console purchases.

The game will be released exclusively on current-generation systems, without support for legacy platforms. This decision, according to Zelnick, will inevitably encourage owners of previous-generation consoles, who have long seen no compelling reason to upgrade, to upgrade. The game's immense interest, reinforced by its status as a launch exclusive on new platforms, will make the purchase a must-have for anyone wanting to experience the year's biggest blockbuster.

Although Rockstar's marketing partnership with Sony makes the PlayStation 5 a priority platform for promotion, Microsoft will also benefit from the excitement. In anticipation of the release, the corporation is already ramping up production of its consoles in an effort to meet the expected surge in demand. As a reminder, Grand Theft Auto VI will go on sale on November 19, 2026, and a large-scale advertising campaign for the game will begin this coming summer.