29% of US gamers plan to buy GTA 6, a Circana record
The figure comes from Circana’s PlayerPulse tracker, three weeks before the Nov 19 launch. Analyst Mat Piscatella calls it “a rare cultural and commercial moment”.
Circana says 29% of US console and PC gamers plan to buy Grand Theft Auto VI, the highest purchase intent the firm has recorded for any game. The figure comes from its PlayerPulse tracker and was reported on October 28, 2026 by GamesRadar+, Wccftech, Notebookcheck, GTABoom and RockstarINTEL, three weeks before the November 19 launch.
What the number means
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| 29% of US console and PC gamers intend to buy GTA VI | Reliable report (Circana, via several outlets) |
| Highest purchase intent Circana has recorded for a game | Reliable report |
| Unit sales forecast | None published by Circana |
| Rockstar or Take-Two comment | None |
Analyst Mat Piscatella called it “a rare cultural and commercial moment”. He suggested demand could reach beyond software to consoles, accessories and subscriptions, with some players buying hardware for the game.
Read it with care
- It is intent, not sales. Surveys of stated plans usually run ahead of real purchases, and this one is not a count of pre-orders.
- It is a share of US gamers, not of the whole population, and outlets noted that Circana shared no detailed methodology or sample size.
- Extrapolations are guesses. Wccftech floated roughly 30 million US copies, but called it a big “if”; Circana does not give a forecast.
- Other surveys differ. A separate GameSquare poll of 1,000 US employees who identify as gamers reportedly found 84% intent; the samples are not comparable.
What’s next
Real data starts after launch: Take-Two reports earnings on November 9, and first-week figures should follow the November 19 release. For what the game costs, see our price and editions guide; for the date and timing, the release date hub. Related context on hardware demand: PS5 sales surge ahead of GTA 6.
FAQ
How many people plan to buy GTA 6?
Circana reports that 29% of US console and PC gamers plan to buy it, per GamesRadar+ and Wccftech. That is a share of surveyed US gamers, not of the whole population.
Does 29% mean GTA 6 will sell that many copies?
No. It is stated intent from a survey. Actual sales depend on price, platforms and timing, and Circana has not published a unit forecast.
Is this an official Rockstar number?
No. It comes from analyst firm Circana. Rockstar and Take-Two have not commented on it.
Sources
- GamesRadar+ — Nearly 1 in 3 gamers plan to buy GTA 6 in the US, analyst confirms (Oct 28, 2026)
- Wccftech — GTA VI hits record 29% purchase intent among US gamers (Oct 28, 2026)
- Notebookcheck — GTA 6 posts record purchase intent (Oct 29, 2026)
- GTABoom — GTA 6 demand hits an all-time high in Circana’s purchase intent tracker (Oct 28, 2026)
- RockstarINTEL — Nearly 30% of US console and PC gamers intend to purchase GTA VI (Oct 29, 2026)
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