GTA 6 Boss Explains Console-First Approach

Rockstar Games’ “Grand Theft Auto VI” hits stores on November 19th, the title set to debut on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S exclusively. A PC version is eventually expected, but when is not clear.

This is not unusual for Rockstar with almost all their games from prior GTA entries to “Red Dead Redemption 2” and more all arriving on PC many months or several years after their console release.

Speaking with Bloomberg, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says they’re sticking with what works and are doing so again with GTA6 because “that’s where the core audience is”. He explains:

“Rockstar always starts on console because I think with regard to a release like that, you’re judged by serving the core. Like, really serving the core consumer. If your core consumer isn’t there, if they’re not served first and best, you kind of don’t hit your other consumers.”

He says that while Sony has a marketing deal with Rockstar, it’s not the reason why the game won’t launch on PC day one. He also confirms that a console release first, then a PC release later, can be a chance to drive more sales and get some customers to buy the game twice.

The report also claims that predicted sales figures point to the title easily breaking GTA5’s record of selling 11 million copies in its first 24 hours.

In fact, day one sales of that number would be considered a flop (despite being more than most games sell in their entire lifetime), with forecasts suggesting at least 25 million copies are expected to be sold on its first day.

The talk follows on from a recent Rockstar ransom attack that revealed that 64% of both GTA Online’s weekly revenue and user base comes from either PS5 or PS4, whereas PC only accounts for 10% of the user base and just 3% of the weekly revenue.

Also a securities analyst for Bank of America has told Seeking Alpha that the game should be sold for $80 as it would be a “net positive for the industry”. They add that others in the industry “would have difficulty selling games for $80 if GTA 6 came out at $70”.

Rockstar Games’ “Grand Theft Auto VI” hits stores on November 19th, the title set to debut on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S exclusively. A PC version is eventually expected, but when is not clear.

This is not unusual for Rockstar with almost all their games from prior GTA entries to “Red Dead Redemption 2” and more all arriving on PC many months or several years after their console release.

Speaking with Bloomberg, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says they’re sticking with what works and are doing so again with GTA6 because “that’s where the core audience is”. He explains:

“Rockstar always starts on console because I think with regard to a release like that, you’re judged by serving the core. Like, really serving the core consumer. If your core consumer isn’t there, if they’re not served first and best, you kind of don’t hit your other consumers.”

He says that while Sony has a marketing deal with Rockstar, it’s not the reason why the game won’t launch on PC day one. He also confirms that a console release first, then a PC release later, can be a chance to drive more sales and get some customers to buy the game twice.

The report also claims that predicted sales figures point to the title easily breaking GTA5’s record of selling 11 million copies in its first 24 hours.

In fact, day one sales of that number would be considered a flop (despite being more than most games sell in their entire lifetime), with forecasts suggesting at least 25 million copies are expected to be sold on its first day.

The talk follows on from a recent Rockstar ransom attack that revealed that 64% of both GTA Online’s weekly revenue and user base comes from either PS5 or PS4, whereas PC only accounts for 10% of the user base and just 3% of the weekly revenue.

Also a securities analyst for Bank of America has told Seeking Alpha that the game should be sold for $80 as it would be a “net positive for the industry”. They add that others in the industry “would have difficulty selling games for $80 if GTA 6 came out at $70”.