Key Takeaways
1. The delay of GTA 6 to May 2026 is expected to negatively impact PS5 and Xbox Series X/S sales, with an estimated 700,000 fewer units sold this year.
2. Analysts predict a drop of 21 million game sales for PlayStation and Xbox, leading to a potential revenue decrease of $2.7 billion in the console market.
3. Consumers may shift their preferences towards the Nintendo Switch 2, especially during the upcoming Christmas season, as they move away from PS5 and Xbox consoles.
4. Following the delay announcement, shares of Take-Two Interactive fell by 15%, prompting a statement from the CEO to reassure investors.
5. Despite the delay, excitement for GTA 6 remains high, as evidenced by the rapid popularity of its new trailer, while a former developer suggests further delays are unlikely.
The recent news regarding the delay of GTA 6 has left fans feeling not just disappointed but also had a negative impact on the entire gaming industry. This situation has prompted other developers to reconsider their plans for game releases, and analysts are now predicting a downturn in sales for PS and Xbox consoles this year. According to a data firm, approximately 700,000 fewer units of PS5 and Xbox Series consoles are expected to be sold due to this delay.
Significant Impact on Sales
This analysis comes from Ampere Analysis, represented by analyst Piers Harding-Rolls. They predict that the postponement of GTA 6 to May 2026 will greatly affect sales of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S this year. Furthermore, game sales for both PlayStation and Xbox are anticipated to drop by 21 million units. Ampere also forecasts that the console market could see a revenue decrease of $2.7 billion this year.
Shift in Consumer Preferences
The firm further notes that the delay of GTA 6 may lead to an increase in sales for the Nintendo Switch 2 during the upcoming Christmas season. As consumers may turn away from the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, they might be more inclined to purchase the Switch 2, which is often viewed as a supplementary device by PS5 owners. “In our consumer data, Switch is often seen as a second device for owners of PlayStation 5. The overlap is quite significant. They are in the same competitive sphere, even if the content is not exactly the same,” Harding-Rolls allegedly stated.
Market Reactions
Following the announcement of the delay, it was reported that shares of Take-Two Interactive fell by 15%, prompting the CEO to release a statement to reassure shareholders. A new trailer for the game was also launched, which quickly became the most viewed video across multiple platforms, indicating that excitement for the game remains high. Meanwhile, a former developer from Rockstar mentioned that it’s unlikely there will be further delays for GTA 6, contrasting with a recent Bloomberg report that suggested another delay is quite possible.
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