Key Takeaways
1. GTA 6 is set to launch on consoles in 2025, with PC gamers facing a longer wait.
2. Take-Two’s CEO believes releasing GTA 6 first on consoles will significantly boost console sales.
3. Past games from Rockstar, like Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 5, experienced delayed PC releases.
4. PC versions can account for 40% of total game sales, but Take-Two is confident in their strategy for GTA 6.
5. The game is expected to push current console capabilities, allowing Rockstar to optimize performance before focusing on the PC version.
While owners of the PS5 and Xbox Series X are looking forward to a GTA 6 launch in 2025, PC gamers will have to wait even longer. Recently, IGN inquired with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick about their strategy of releasing the game first on consoles. Zelnick didn’t clearly explain this approach, but he expressed confidence that GTA 6 would boost console sales significantly.
Console vs. PC Release Strategy
Zelnick highlighted that some of Take-Two Interactive’s projects come out at the same time on both PCs and consoles. However, his mention of Civilization 7, which originated on PC, seems like an odd example. For Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption 2 was not released on PC until over a year after it launched on the PS4 and Xbox One. In the past, the PC version of GTA 5 also faced a long delay before it was available to players.
Sales Insights
During the IGN interview, Zelnick recognized that PC versions of games can make up 40% of total sales. Nonetheless, he is convinced that Take-Two’s strategy with GTA 6 will be successful. He acknowledged that Xbox Series X sales are currently lagging, while Switch sales have hit a plateau. It’s a bold assertion that one game could revive the console market, but the massive anticipation surrounding GTA 6 might just meet that challenge.
Frustrations of PC Gamers
PC gamers are understandably upset due to the unclear release date for GTA 6. Some speculate that Take-Two is trying to avoid leaks about the game, which could happen if any code, finished or not, gets out. Other people view this as a smart business tactic, allowing enough time for players to finish the single-player campaign. Afterward, PC gamers could return to enjoy the game with better performance and mods.
Pushing the Limits
What is known about GTA 6 suggests that it will stretch the capabilities of current consoles. Rockstar Games can concentrate on enhancing performance for these consoles before turning its attention to the PC version.
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