Take-Two CEO Unfazed by Declining PS5, Xbox Sales; Predicts GTA 6 Will Boost Console Sales in 2025

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch in the fall of 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, leaving PC gamers waiting in anticipation. This decision aligns with developer Rockstar's historical strategy of releasing games on consoles first, but in today's gaming landscape, it feels somewhat outdated. The increasing importance of PC for the success of multiplatform games raises the question: Is GTA 6's exclusion from PC at launch a missed opportunity?

IGN posed this question to Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick ahead of their recent financial results. Zelnick hinted at GTA 6's eventual PC release, referencing the simultaneous launch of Civilization 7 across multiple platforms while noting Rockstar's typical staggered approach.

Rockstar's history with PC releases and its complex relationship with the modding community have fueled fan speculation. While big Rockstar titles do eventually make their way to PC, the wait could extend into 2026 for GTA 6, given its fall 2025 console release window.

In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer attempted to shed light on why GTA 6 is launching on consoles first, urging PC gamers to be patient and trust the studio's decisions. However, with PC versions of multiplatform games accounting for up to 40% of sales, the decision to delay the PC release could indeed be a significant missed opportunity.

The current console generation has seen declining sales for the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, with no next-gen announcements from Sony or Microsoft yet. Zelnick emphasized the growing importance of the PC market, suggesting that this trend will continue even as new console generations emerge.

Despite the decline in console sales, Zelnick remains optimistic that GTA 6's launch will drive significant console sales as fans rush to experience the game on current-gen systems. Yet, the anticipation around a potential PS5 Pro, often dubbed the 'GTA 6 machine,' suggests that many are hoping for the best platform to enjoy the game. However, tech experts believe that even the PS5 Pro might not achieve 4K60 performance for GTA 6.

In conclusion, while Rockstar's strategy of prioritizing consoles is not new, the exclusion of PC at launch for a game as monumental as GTA 6 could be seen as a strategic oversight in a rapidly evolving gaming market where PC gaming's significance is on the rise.