GTA 6 Launch Could Cost US Economy $1 Billion as Absenteeism Cuts Productivity 2%
Updated
Updated · RockstarINTEL · Aug 29
GTA 6 Launch Could Cost US Economy $1 Billion as Absenteeism Cuts Productivity 2%
3 articles · Updated · RockstarINTEL · Aug 29
Summary
$1 billion in lost output could hit the U.S. on GTA 6's Nov. 19 launch day, according to a study cited in the report.
José Montalvo of Pompeu Fabra University linked the projected damage to workers and students skipping work or classes to play, with young men aged 18 to 30 expected to drive much of the absenteeism.
Technology companies are seen as the most exposed sector, and the study estimates a 2% drop in labor productivity on the day.
The forecast builds on GTA V-era patterns, when reports said up to 6% of people aged 18 to 35 in cities including Los Angeles and New York took release day off.
That economic hit would still be small beside the game's expected commercial haul, with earlier estimates pointing to about 50 million launch sales and roughly $4.5 billion in revenue.