GTA 6 Purchase Intent Hits Record 29% Among US Gamers
Grand Theft Auto VI is already breaking records before its official release. According to a new report from Circana, nearly 1 in 3 console and PC gamers in the United States plan to buy the upcoming game. The survey puts its purchase intent at 29%, the highest figure Circana has ever recorded for a video game.
With GTA 6 scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, this level of interest shows just how much players are looking forward to Rockstar’s next big release. It also suggests that the game’s impact could reach beyond game sales, bringing more customers to console stores and gaming accessory retailers during the holiday season.
GTA 6 Sets a New Purchase Intent Record
The latest figures come from Circana’s PlayerPulse tracking service, which measures how interested players are in buying upcoming games.
According to the report published on October 28, GTA 6 has reached a 29% purchase intent among US console and PC gamers. No other video game in Circana’s tracking history has reached this level.
The number is particularly impressive considering that GTA 5 arrived back in 2013. Players have spent more than a decade waiting for a completely new mainline entry in the series, and the latest figures show that interest has not faded.
Mat Piscatella, a video game industry analyst at Circana, described GTA 6 as a rare cultural and commercial moment for the gaming industry. He also expects demand to extend beyond the game itself, with players potentially spending more on consoles, accessories and gaming subscriptions.
GTA 6 Could Boost PS5 and Xbox Sales
One interesting part of Circana’s report is the expected impact on console sales.
Not everyone who wants to play GTA 6 already owns a current-generation console. Some players are still using older systems and may finally decide to upgrade when Rockstar’s new game arrives.
Piscatella believes many consumers could purchase a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S specifically to play GTA 6.
The timing also works in the game’s favour. Its November release comes just before the holiday shopping season, when retailers usually see increased demand for gaming hardware and accessories.
This could make GTA 6 an important reason for players to upgrade their setups, particularly those who have been waiting for a major release before spending money on a new console.
GTA 5 Long Success Helps Explain the Demand
The popularity of GTA 6 is not surprising when you look at what its predecessor has achieved.
GTA 5 remains the best-selling premium video game in Circana’s tracked US history, both in terms of copies sold and total sales revenue. Even more impressive, the game stayed among the top 20 best-selling games in the United States every year from 2013 through 2025.
Its popularity has also continued among active players. According to Circana, GTA 5 ranked third in total active users across PlayStation and Xbox platforms in 2025, despite being in its 13th year.
These numbers help explain why expectations for the next entry are so high. GTA 5 has remained popular for years, and many players are now ready to experience a completely new story, characters and version of Vice City.
GTA 6 Could Have a Huge Holiday Season Impact
Circana expects GTA 6 to play an important role in gaming sales during the final quarter of 2026.
The impact could be seen across several areas, including game purchases, console upgrades, gaming accessories and subscriptions. Retailers are also approaching the Black Friday and holiday shopping period, which could make the timing even more important.
However, the 29% purchase intent figure does not guarantee that every interested player will actually buy the game. It measures current buying plans rather than confirmed pre-orders or sales.
Still, reaching the highest purchase intent in Circana’s tracking history is a major achievement for a game that has not even launched yet.
Conclusion
GTA 6 is already showing signs of becoming one of the biggest game releases in recent history. With 29% purchase intent among US console and PC gamers, Rockstar’s upcoming title has set a record before reaching store shelves.
The November 19 launch could also encourage thousands of players to upgrade their consoles and gaming setups. After 13 years of waiting, GTA 6 may finally give players the reason they need to return to Vice City.
