Hackers Expose GTA Online's Staggering Daily Revenue of Over £1 Million
In a dramatic turn of events, hackers have publicly released confidential financial data for Rockstar Games, revealing that GTA Online is generating approximately £1,000,000 every single day. The hacker group ShinyHunters, which previously threatened to leak stolen information unless paid a ransom, posted the data ahead of their deadline after Rockstar refused to capitulate.
Rockstar had acknowledged the cyberattack earlier this week but downplayed its severity, indicating that no sensitive information related to GTA 6 or personal user data was compromised. The company's stance suggested it would not negotiate with the hackers, leading to the premature release of the stolen files.
Detailed Financial Breakdown from Leaked Information
The leaked data, which has been widely shared and compiled across online forums such as GTA Forums, provides a comprehensive look at GTA Online's earnings between September 2025 and April 2026. During this period, the game averaged weekly revenues of $9,592,109, equivalent to £7,089,480. This translates to a daily income of $1,319,322, or roughly £974,983.
GTA Online primarily monetizes through the sale of Shark cards, which provide virtual currency for in-game purchases, and GTA+ memberships, which offer monthly benefits including cash deposits. According to the leaked figures, Shark cards accounted for 74% of the revenue, while GTA+ subscriptions made up the remaining 26%.
Player Spending Patterns and Platform Popularity
Despite an average active player count of 9,937,747, only about 393,402 players, or 4% of the user base, are paying customers. This small percentage, often referred to as "whales" in the gaming industry, drives the majority of the revenue, highlighting the lucrative nature of live service games.
The data also sheds light on platform preferences, with PlayStation dominating the player base. Weekly active users include 3,474,021 on PlayStation 5 and 1,889,729 on PlayStation 4, surpassing Xbox Series X/S at 1,129,023 and Xbox One at 1,026,695. PC is the least popular platform, with only 894,621 weekly active players, generating $264,273 (£195,298) weekly, which may explain Rockstar's prioritization of console releases for future titles like GTA 6.
Comparison with Red Dead Online and Industry Context
In contrast, Red Dead Online has been earning an average of $26.4 million (£19.51 million) annually, a significant drop since Rockstar shifted focus to GTA 6 in 2022. While this figure is lower than GTA Online's $498.8 million (£386.61 million) yearly revenue, it still outperforms many other online games.
It is important to note that these figures are alleged and have not been officially confirmed by Rockstar or its parent company, Take-Two Interactive. The company has verified the hack but is unlikely to validate the specific numbers. Additionally, the leak contains no information about the highly anticipated GTA 6, keeping details of that project under wraps until an official announcement.
The revelation underscores GTA Online's enduring success, fueled by consistent updates over its 13-year lifespan, which has contributed to GTA 5 selling over 220 million copies worldwide. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of cybersecurity in the gaming industry and the immense financial stakes involved in major online titles.
