Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) has become the most pre-ordered game in the history of both the PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store, setting new records ahead of its November 19, 2026 release.
Sony and Microsoft have confirmed that the highly anticipated video game has attracted more pre-orders than any other title in their respective digital storefronts, highlighting the extraordinary demand surrounding Rockstar Games’ latest release.
Sony announced the milestone on November 10, saying GTA 6 had become the most pre-ordered game in PlayStation Store history. Microsoft made a similar announcement, describing it as the most pre-ordered title ever on the Microsoft Store.
The announcements came nine days before the game’s scheduled release, as both companies encouraged players to download the game ahead of launch.
Sony cited “unprecedented demand” as the reason it had worked with Rockstar to make the game available for pre-loading earlier than initially planned.
Microsoft also urged customers to download their copies in advance to avoid waiting for the large installation on release day.
The commercial scale of the launch has attracted further attention after market intelligence firm Sensor Tower estimated that GTA 6 had received approximately 9.69 million digital pre-orders across PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The estimated orders had generated approximately $942 million in revenue by November 10, putting the game close to the $1 billion mark before its official release.
Sensor Tower’s breakdown placed PlayStation 5 at approximately 7.23 million pre-orders, accounting for 75 per cent of the estimated total. Xbox Series X|S accounted for the remaining 2.46 million orders, representing approximately 25 per cent.
Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, have not independently confirmed the figures. Sony and Microsoft also announced their respective records without disclosing the actual number of orders.
If the estimates hold, GTA 6 has also surpassed the pre-order benchmark set by Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red previously announced that the 2020 release had attracted more than eight million pre-orders before launch.
Take-Two Interactive Chief Executive Officer Strauss Zelnick has acknowledged the strong demand for GTA 6, saying pre-orders have exceeded the company’s initial expectations.
Speaking during the company’s latest financial update, Zelnick said: “Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI are tracking far in excess of our initial expectations, and we know that the numbers will speak for themselves soon enough.”
He also explained why the company had not substantially revised its financial guidance despite the strong pre-launch performance.
“We’re maintaining our guidance, because the release is only 10 days away and we’ll know a lot more after the release,” Zelnick said.
Take-Two maintained its fiscal 2027 net bookings forecast at between $8 billion and $8.2 billion, despite raising its revenue forecast to between $7.98 billion and $8.18 billion.
The company expects GTA 6 to play a major role in its financial performance following its release.
The game’s pricing has also drawn attention, particularly because a significant number of early buyers have reportedly selected the more expensive version.
Rockstar priced the Standard Edition at $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $99.99.
According to figures discussed during Take-Two’s financial update, nearly 90 per cent of pre-orders by late August were for the Ultimate Edition.
The more expensive version includes additional vehicles, weapons, apparel and other items connected to the game’s story.
Rockstar also announced the Vintage Vice City Pack as a pre-order incentive. Qualifying digital pre-orders include the pack and a free month of GTA+.
The company first opened pre-orders on June 25, 2026.
Rockstar, Sony and Microsoft have encouraged players to download the game before its official release to reduce delays on launch day.
Pre-loading began on November 10 for digital buyers, allowing them to download the game files before the release date. Players will, however, have to wait until the official launch before accessing the game.
The installation requires up to 212GB of storage space, depending on the console.
GTA 6 will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Xbox One players will also be able to access the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming, although Rockstar has not announced a native Xbox One version.
The game will initially feature a single-player campaign centred on Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, two protagonists whose criminal activities unfold across the fictional state of Leonida.
Vice City, the game’s central location, draws inspiration from Miami.
The pre-order milestone reflects the anticipation surrounding the first mainline Grand Theft Auto release since GTA V arrived in September 2013.
GTA V became one of the most commercially successful entertainment releases in history, helping establish Rockstar’s franchise as one of the industry’s biggest properties.
Its successor has faced several changes to its release schedule, with November 19, 2026 now set as its launch date.
