The anticipation surrounding GTA 6 has already reached levels that should concern every other publisher in the industry. Both the first and second trailers have amassed millions of views, ranking among the most-watched gaming trailers of all time. Make no mistake, these aren't just empty hype metrics. Some industry experts suggest it could potentially double the already staggering sales figures of Grand Theft Auto V. These numbers represent millions of players who will likely dedicate significant time to exploring the new Leonida setting and its accompanying online mode, which is expected to have MMO-like features.
For context, that's enough concurrent players to make Warzone look like a ghost town.
Here's where things get interesting. Reisdorf makes a crucial distinction between different types of online games and their vulnerability to GTA 6's launch. He suggests that titles like Fortnite and Roblox, which attract younger audiences, might weather the storm better than their mature-rated counterparts.
The expected longevity of GTA 6's online component makes this situation even more concerning for competitors. If the current trajectory of Grand Theft Auto Online is any indication, the new version could dominate the online gaming space for years to come. Reisdorf praised Rockstar's community-focused approach to content development, noting how the studio has successfully worked with players to determine what features and events to implement.
That's not a launch window problem. That's an existential crisis.
Case in point: when was the last time you heard about a live service game successfully bouncing back after losing the majority of its player base? These games live and die by momentum, and GTA 6 will kill just about any they've generated.
The concern extends well beyond just free-to-play titles. Major publishers celebrated when GTA 6 was delayed, with games like Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, and The Outer Worlds 2, all benefitting from the game's new release date. Described as a "meteor" and as an "iceberg", all the strategic maneuvering being done around GTA 6 demonstrates industry-wide recognition of the game's potential to completely dominate gaming conversations and capture the majority of players' attention and spending.
Think about that. When was the last time a single game caused this kind of industry-wide defensive positioning?
Former Rockstar developers have warned that another delay could kill remaining hype, suggesting even Rockstar understands the pressure they're under. But delays or not, when this game finally drops, it's going to be what everyone can talk about for weeks if not months.
As November 2026 approaches, the gaming industry will be watching closely to see if Reisdorf's predictions come true. Will GTA 6 really cause the massive disruption he anticipates, or will the market prove large enough to support multiple major online experiences simultaneously?
Of course, the industry could very well be overestimating GTA 6's impact. After all, gaming has grown exponentially since GTA 5 launched in 2013. The player base is bigger, more diverse, and has more options than ever before. Perhaps there's room for everyone.
But based on the numbers and the revenue projections, betting against GTA 6 seems like a losing proposition. Warzone and other mature-rated live service games better start preparing their contingency plans, because Rockstar's coming for them.
And honestly? There's probably not much they can do about it.
