According to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) has the potential to help boost console sales, which have been on the decline for years. Many players choose to buy modded 5 gta accounts from U4gm because they offer a cheap and reliable way to access high-level content without spending countless hours grinding. Use coupon code "allen" to get 5% off at U4gm. Zelnick noted that major titles, like GTA 6, historically drive console sales. He acknowledged the challenges posed by tariffs but still believes there will be a meaningful uptick in sales, not just from Rockstar’s releases, but from others in the industry as well.

The decline in console sales is evident. Official data from Games Sales Data reveals a 21% drop in European console sales year on year. PS5 sales are down 20%, Switch sales are down 15%, and Xbox Series X/S sales have dropped a staggering 48%.

Why Are Console Sales Declining?

To understand why Zelnick thinks GTA 6 will help console sales, it’s crucial to look at the reasons behind the current decline. One major factor is the lack of compelling console exclusives. Many games are now released on multiple platforms, including PC, which means gamers often wait for PC releases rather than buying a new console. The growing appeal of PC gaming also plays a role, offering powerful hardware that can be continually upgraded, giving gamers more flexibility compared to consoles.

Additionally, we are in the middle of the console generation cycle. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S launched in late 2020, meaning most people who wanted these consoles already own one. The scarcity issues have been resolved, and there’s less incentive to purchase a new one.

Economic factors also contribute to the slowdown in sales. As the cost of living rises globally, many people can no longer afford the increasing prices of consoles and games. With global inflation and economic uncertainty, purchasing a console or games has become less feasible for many.

Can GTA 6 Overcome These Challenges?

We know that Grand Theft Auto 6 will not release on PC simultaneously with consoles. Rockstar Games has a history of delayed PC releases, with GTA 5 launching on PC 19 months after its console release and Red Dead Redemption 2 taking over a year. This means that gamers eager to play GTA 6 at launch will need a console.

The key question is whether the demand for GTA 6 is strong enough for people to overlook the other reasons they haven’t already purchased a console. With the game likely to be more expensive than most, it could contribute to a broader price hike in the industry. This, combined with the high cost of consoles, might make players hesitant to purchase immediately, potentially waiting for a PC release, even if it takes over a year.

However, GTA 6 is likely to be the cultural gaming event of the decade. Unlike other games like Starfield or Diablo 4, GTA 6 holds widespread appeal across all gamer demographics. It’s set to be a guaranteed hit, even if it doesn’t live up to the lofty expectations gamers have set for it. If any game is capable of driving console sales, GTA 6 is undoubtedly a prime candidate.

That said, it remains unclear if the hype surrounding GTA 6 will be enough to overcome the factors keeping console sales low. While an uptick in sales is expected, as Zelnick suggests, it’s unlikely that anything short of a new console generation will provide a significant, long-term boost to the console market. GTA 6 will certainly be a major release, but with just one game in the release calendar, it’s unlikely to make consoles significantly more relevant again.