Take-Two CEO Unfazed by PS5, Xbox Sales Drop, Predicts GTA 6 Boost in 2025

The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for a fall 2025 release, but exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. This decision leaves PC gamers out in the cold, a move that feels increasingly outdated in the modern gaming landscape. As the PC platform continues to grow in importance for multiplatform game success, the absence of GTA 6 on PC at launch raises questions about whether this is a missed opportunity or even a mistake by developer Rockstar.

In a recent interview with IGN, Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick hinted at the eventual release of GTA 6 on PC. He referenced the multiplatform release strategy of Firaxis' Civilization 7, stating, "With regard to others in our lineup, we don't always go across all platforms simultaneously. Historically, Rockstar has started with some platforms and then historically moved to other platforms." This statement echoes Rockstar's past approach with other titles, where PC versions often followed console releases.

The gaming community has long noted Rockstar's reluctance to launch games on PC simultaneously with consoles, alongside its complex relationship with the modding community. Despite hopes that GTA 6 might mark a shift in this strategy, it appears PC gamers may have to wait until 2026 at the earliest to experience the game, given its fall 2025 console release window.

A former Rockstar developer in December 2023 tried to justify the delayed PC release, urging PC gamers to give the studio the "benefit of the doubt." However, the potential impact of skipping PC at launch is significant. Zelnick revealed that the PC version of a multiplatform game can account for up to 40% of total sales, or even more for certain titles.

This insight comes at a time when sales of current-generation consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S are declining. With no announced next-gen consoles from Sony or Microsoft, and the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, the industry is at a pivotal moment. Zelnick emphasized the growing importance of the PC market, stating, "We have seen PC become a much more and more important part of what used to be a console business, and I wouldn't be surprised to see that trend continue."

Despite the current console market challenges, Zelnick remains optimistic about the impact of GTA 6's release. He believes that the game, potentially the biggest entertainment launch ever, will drive console sales as fans upgrade to the current generation to play it. "When you have a big title in the market and we have many of them coming, historically that has sold consoles," he explained.

As anticipation builds, many speculate that the PlayStation 5 Pro could become the ultimate platform for GTA 6, though tech experts doubt it will achieve 4K60 performance. Whether this will be enough to sway gamers to invest in the PS5 Pro remains to be seen, but the conversation around GTA 6's release strategy continues to highlight the evolving dynamics of the gaming industry.