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

The much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for a fall 2025 release, but it will be exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S at launch, leaving PC gamers out in the cold. This decision aligns with Rockstar Games' traditional release strategy, yet it feels somewhat outdated in the current gaming landscape of 2025. With the PC platform becoming increasingly vital for the success of multiplatform games, the exclusion of PC from GTA 6's initial launch raises questions about whether this is a missed opportunity or even a strategic error.

In a recent interview with IGN, Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick hinted at an eventual PC release for GTA 6. He referenced the simultaneous launch of Civilization 7 across multiple platforms, including PC, but noted that Rockstar typically adopts a staggered release approach. "Historically, Rockstar has started with some platforms and then historically moved to other platforms," Zelnick explained. This statement offers hope to PC gamers, though it also underscores the wait they might endure.

Rockstar's history with PC releases has been marked by delays and a complex relationship with the modding community. Despite these challenges, fans had hoped that a game as monumental as GTA 6 might signal a shift in the studio's approach to PC gaming. However, with the game's confirmed fall 2025 release for consoles, it appears that PC players might not see GTA 6 until 2026 at the earliest.

The potential impact of not launching GTA 6 on PC simultaneously with consoles is significant. Zelnick revealed to IGN that PC versions of multiplatform games can account for up to 40% of total sales, and sometimes even more. This statistic is particularly relevant given the current decline in sales of the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, the platforms GTA 6 will launch on. While Nintendo prepares to release the Switch 2, neither Sony nor Microsoft have announced their next-generation consoles, leaving the industry in a state of anticipation.

Zelnick emphasized the growing importance of the PC platform, especially as console sales falter. "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," he stated. He also predicted a new console generation in the future, but for now, the focus remains on the current market dynamics.

Despite the current dip in console sales, Zelnick is confident that the release of GTA 6 will drive a surge in console purchases. "When you have a big title in the market and we have many of them coming, historically that has sold consoles," he said. He anticipates a significant increase in console sales in 2025 due to the release schedule, not just from Take-Two but from other publishers as well.

Looking ahead, many speculate that the PlayStation 5 Pro could become the ultimate 'GTA 6 machine,' offering the best gaming experience for the title. However, tech experts caution that even the PS5 Pro might not be capable of running GTA 6 at 4K60, suggesting that the game's graphical demands could push hardware to its limits.