GTA 6 Release Day Set To Cost America $1 Billion With 1.5 Million Workers Plotting a Mass Sick Day

Economist José García Montalvo estimates that Grand Theft Auto 6, launching on 19 November, could cost the US about $1 billion in output in a single day as roughly 1.5 million Americans take a “mass sick day.” The projection, based on average annual output of around $70,000 per worker and a short-term productivity dip of about 2%, suggests most missing workers are aged 18 to 30, with the technology sector potentially hit hardest. The report notes the pattern resembles earlier launches, citing GTA 5 in 2013. It adds a key twist: Take-Two expects more than $1 billion in operating cash flow this fiscal year, with GTA 6 as the main driver. Rockstar North’s Edinburgh base could shift much of the gains to the UK.