In a stunning industry analysis, Circana’s Mat Piscatella reveals Grand Theft Auto VI faces an unexpected rival: its 11-year-old predecessor, GTA V. Despite releasing in 2013, GTA V remains a sales juggernaut – consistently ranking among the top 20 monthly sellers and setting a bar no new game has cleared.
By the Numbers: GTA V’s Unbreakable Dominance
| Metric | GTA V (2013-Present) | Industry Context |
|---|---|---|
| Copies Sold | 215+ million | #2 best-selling game ever (behind Minecraft) |
| Monthly Sales | Top 20 every month since 2013 | Outpaces most new AAA releases |
| Revenue Generated | $7.7B+ | Higher than Avengers: Endgame’s box office |
| Active Players | 15-20M monthly (across platforms) | Rivals Fortnite’s consistent engagement |
Piscatella’s blunt assessment:
“The biggest competitor to GTA 6 will be GTA 5. These are wild times for new games.”
Why GTA V Won’t Fade Away
Three factors sustain its dominance:
- GTA Online’s Endless Hook: Regular updates keep players invested (e.g., 2025’s “Criminal Enterprises” expansion)
- Budget Accessibility: Frequent sales drop price to $15-20
- Platform Breadth: Runs on everything from PS3 to PS5
As Piscatella notes: “Like Fortnite or Minecraft, it defies traditional lifecycles.”
GTA 6’s Uphill Battle
To dethrone its predecessor, GTA 6 must:
- Convert Loyalists: Persuade GTA Online’s 10M+ regulars to migrate
- Justify Premium Price: $70+ tag vs. GTA V’s discount ubiquity
- Deliver Innovation: Online mode needs revolutionary hooks beyond “GTA Online 2.0”
Analysts project 38M sales in Year 1 – but GTA V sold 54M in same timeframe.
What This Means for Gaming
| Impact | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Industry Disruption | Legacy titles now compete with sequels (e.g., Skyrim vs. Starfield) |
| Live-Service Dominance | Games-as-platforms > one-time purchases |
| Consumer Loyalty Shift | Players invest in ecosystems, not just franchises |
Also, Read
- GTA 6 Delay Sparks Surprising Fan Support – “Quality Over Quantity” Wins Debate
- GTA 6 Marketing Leans PlayStation as “Default Console” Strategy Emerges
- GTA 6 $100 Base Price Rumor Put to Rest by Take-Two CEO’s Value-First Pledge
The Silver Lining
This “competition” benefits Rockstar:
- GTA V’s success funds VI’s budget ($2B+ development)
- Shared Online Infrastructure: Likely cross-progression between V and VI
- Win-Win Scenario: Players staying with V still pay microtransactions
GTA 6 launches May 26, 2026, on PS5/Xbox Series X|S. GTA V remains available across 10 platforms.