GTA VI Survey Finds Gamers Plan Time Off and Cut Spending

Plans to purchase new gaming equipment, spend extended hours playing, and reduce other entertainment activities are emerging among U.S. employees who play video games ahead of Grand Theft Auto VI's release. A GameSquare survey of 1,000 full-time American workers who identify as gamers found that 30% were considering taking time off for the launch scheduled for November 19. Among respondents considering leave, 36% said they would call in sick if they took time off.

GameSquare also found that 10% planned to skip work on launch day, while 42% expected the release could make them less productive. The findings reflect intentions reported before the game's launch, rather than confirmed workplace absences or changes in daily routines. GameSquare described the survey as nationally representative of full-time U.S. employees who identify as gamers and reported a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

Rockstar Games lists November 19 as the release date for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game takes players to Vice City and the fictional state of Leonida.

Respondents anticipated spending substantial time playing during the opening weekend. GameSquare reported a median of 15 hours of planned gameplay, increasing to 20 hours among participants classified in the report as serious gamers. The survey also found that 80% of respondents would consider staying awake all night to play. These responses indicate intended behavior, but do not establish how many participants will ultimately change their sleep schedules or working hours.

Consumer spending plans represent another significant finding. According to GameSquare, 84% of respondents intended to purchase GTA VI, while 26% identified the game as their top spending priority for the fall. Additionally, 72% said they planned to reduce spending in other areas to pay for the game and related purchases. Potential purchases included gaming chairs, televisions or monitors, and headphones or speakers.

Respondents estimated that they would spend an average of about $400 on the game and associated items, according to the survey. The figure covers the game and related purchases rather than the game alone. The launch could also affect how gamers allocate their leisure time, particularly when it overlaps with regular sports viewing.

GameSquare found that 70% of respondents might skip sports they normally watch to spend more time playing video games. Among those surveyed, 42% said they would be less likely to watch NFL games during the first weekend after the game's release. The survey measures respondents' stated likelihood of changing their viewing habits, not actual audience figures or confirmed changes in sports viewership.