Grand Theft Auto 6 could generate between $3.25 billion and $5.2 billion in its first week of sales, according to a new analyst report from video game market data firm Newzoo. This projection suggests the game could earn roughly a third to half of GTA 5's estimated $10 billion lifetime revenue in just seven days.
Pre-order figures disputed
Earlier claims that GTA 6 made $1 billion in pre-orders within one hour have been refuted by Newzoo, which called that figure 'absurd'. Instead, the firm estimates that digital pre-order spending across the US and the five largest European markets (UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain) reached only $180 million (£133 million) in the final week of June, after pre-orders went live on June 25.
Even with this lower pre-order estimate, Newzoo's most conservative projections place GTA 6's first week sales at $3.25 billion (£2.4 billion), which would still make its pre-order campaign the largest in recorded history.
Comparison to GTA 5
For context, GTA 5 made $1 billion in its first three days and has generated nearly $10 billion over its lifetime. If GTA 6 reaches the higher end of projections at $5.2 billion, it would represent more than half of its predecessor's lifetime earnings in a single week.
The data suggests that despite concerns over the lack of a true physical release and minimal marketing from Rockstar (with no dedicated gameplay trailer yet), consumer demand remains extraordinarily high. The game is widely considered the most anticipated video game ever.
Online mode and market impact
Rockstar has not formally announced an online multiplayer mode for GTA 6, but it is widely expected given the persistent revenue stream from GTA Online. The high demand for GTA 6 has led most publishers to avoid releasing major titles in November, resulting in crowded release schedules in September and October.
Exceptions include Atari, which plans to release a remaster of a Godzilla fighting game and a collection of retro Barbie games in November, and Sega, which will launch its Switch 2 port of Metaphor: ReFantazio during the same month.
