August 23, 2025, 6:37 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Thirteen years after the release of “GTA 5,” “GTA 6” is finally set to come out. However, the new game might face unexpected challenges—due to its predecessor.
That’s the assessment of market analyst Mat Piscatella, who has worked at Activision and Warner Bros. Games. In an interview with “GamesIndustry.biz,” he offered a surprising insight for many: “The biggest competitor for ‘GTA 6’ will be ‘GTA 5.'” These are indeed “wild times” for creating new video games.
“GTA 5” Still Strong Before “GTA 6” Launch
The video game industry is facing numerous challenges. These include rising production costs, which significantly increase the pressure for success and leave little room for error. The issues are widespread and have led to numerous layoffs in recent times.
New titles also struggle because large segments of the audience remain loyal to established hits that developers continue to update. Consider a hit like “Fortnite,” which has been “the biggest thing in the world” for eight years. “Minecraft” is another example. “GTA 5” could pose a problem for “GTA 6” because, according to Piscatella, it still ranks among the top 20 best-selling games monthly—and has for 12 years.
GTA 6 for $100? Study Suggests Potential Losses
New Movie Sets Record Before Release
“GTA 5” Is a Historic Milestone
Statistics support this claim. Even after more than a decade on the market, “GTA 5” sold five million copies in the last quarter alone. Many games never reach this level at any point in their lifespan.
The title is considered the best-selling video game of all time after “Minecraft,” with over 200 million copies sold. As reported by “TweakTown,” the game has generated nearly $9 billion in revenue to date—about $750 million per year.
A key reason for its ongoing popularity is likely the introduction of “GTA Online,” the online multiplayer component of “GTA 5.” Developer Rockstar Games has released new content every year since the online mode’s launch.
“GTA 6” Doesn’t Need to Hide from “GTA 5”
However, Piscatella seems to overlook one thing. While it’s true that “Fortnite” and “Minecraft” remain very popular, these games have yet to receive an official sequel. There’s no “Fortnite 2” or “Minecraft 2.” However, “GTA 6” is on the horizon.
The anticipation built over 13 years could, according to forecasts, result in immense success right at launch. In fact, analysts from Konvoy believe “GTA 6” could generate $7.6 billion in the first 60 days. However, according to “Forbes,” these numbers are impossible to achieve.
Also interesting: “If that happens, I won’t buy GTA 6!”
Initially, the game is set to release only for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles, before further ports follow. This means it won’t reach the maximum possible audience right away. There’s also industry buzz that “GTA 6” could cost 100 euros, which might deter many. Fans who have invested heavily in “GTA Online” may also be reluctant to switch. However, the hype could attract many casual gamers.