The impending launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 may have a significant, albeit temporary, impact on the American economy, with one projection suggesting that approximately 1.5 million Americans could call in sick to work on November 19 to play the game. Economics professor José García Montalvo estimates this widespread absenteeism could cost the country around $1 billion.
Montalvo's projection, reported by the International Business Times, is based on an assumption that each worker taking the day off has an annual salary of $70,000. This calculation leads to the $1 billion figure. However, the economic impact is framed as a redistribution of wealth rather than a net loss, as the estimated $1 billion that Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of GTA 6, might earn on the same day would come from consumer spending. The money spent on the game would effectively shift from broader economic circulation into the hands of a single large corporation.
It is important to note that this figure is an academic projection and not an official forecast. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of employees taking time off for major game releases has historical precedent. The launch of Grand Theft Auto 5 in September 2013 saw a similar sentiment among players. An IGN poll conducted at the time found that nearly half of its respondents planned to take a holiday for the "GTA flu." While that poll measured intentions rather than actual workplace absences, it indicated the significant cultural moment that Rockstar Games' titles can create.
The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6 is palpable, with anecdotal evidence suggesting a strong commitment from fans. Some players have announced plans for extended vacations, with one streamer intending to take five days off. Social media discussions reveal couples creating agreements and humorously labeling extended gaming sessions as "cheating." The "GTA flu" appears to be a recognized phenomenon, even extending to some military personnel at Fort Stewart, Georgia, who have been granted time off to play the game, underscoring the immense cultural sway of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.