Take-Two Boss Unconcerned by Plummeting PS5 and Xbox Sales, Insists GTA 6 Will Cause 'A Meaningful Uptick in Console Sales' in 2025

Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is slated for a fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, notably excluding PC at launch. This decision aligns with Rockstar Games' traditional strategy but feels increasingly outdated in today's gaming landscape, where PC's significance in multiplatform game success is growing.

IGN posed the question of GTA 6's PC omission to Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, ahead of the company's financial results. Zelnick hinted at an eventual PC release, noting Rockstar's historical approach of staggered platform releases. He cited the example of Civilization 7, which launched simultaneously on console, PC, and Switch, but emphasized that Rockstar often rolls out its games on different platforms sequentially.

Rockstar's past reluctance to launch games on PC simultaneously with consoles, combined with its complex relationship with the modding community, has led to tempered expectations among fans. Despite hopes that GTA 6 might mark a shift in Rockstar's PC strategy, it appears PC gamers may have to wait until at least 2026 to play what could be one of the most significant game releases ever.

In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer attempted to justify the delayed PC release, urging PC gamers to trust the studio's plans. Zelnick highlighted the importance of the PC market, stating that PC versions can account for up to 40% of a game's total sales, or even more in some cases. This underscores the potential missed opportunity of not launching GTA 6 on PC alongside consoles.

The current console generation has seen a decline in PS5 and Xbox Series X and S sales. With Nintendo's Switch 2 on the horizon and no next-gen announcements from Sony or Microsoft, the industry awaits the next moves. Zelnick acknowledged the growing importance of PC gaming, predicting its continued rise while new console generations are anticipated.

Zelnick also suggested that major game releases, like GTA 6, historically boost console sales. He expects a significant increase in console sales in 2025 due to a robust release schedule from various publishers, including Take-Two. Despite potential trade tariffs, Zelnick remains optimistic about the market's response to GTA 6.

The PlayStation 5 Pro is anticipated by some as the ideal platform for GTA 6, though tech experts believe it may not achieve 4K at 60 frames per second. This speculation adds another layer to the discussion about the best way to experience what is expected to be the biggest entertainment launch ever.