Grand Theft Auto 6 Could Be Heading for a PC Release

GTA 6, Grand Theft Auto 6

Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has sparked excitement among gamers by hinting at a potential PC release for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). Rockstar Games has confirmed the game’s launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2025. However, the CEO’s remarks suggest that a PC version of the game may be in the works. Although the console market has experienced slow growth, PC gaming continues to gain momentum. Given this shift in the gaming landscape, could a PC release present an attractive opportunity for Take-Two Interactive to pass up?

Rockstar Games Enters the PC Market

With the gaming industry’s evolution, Rockstar Games will likely capitalize on the growing PC market. Moreover, the company can expand its audience by releasing GTA 6 on PC, potentially increasing revenue and broadening its player base. As seen with GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar’s history of console-exclusive launches made the confirmation of a console-only release for the next Grand Theft Auto game unsurprising.

Accustomed to waiting for Rockstar titles, PC gamers have grown familiar with delayed releases. Interestingly, PC versions of Rockstar Games may arrive a year or two after their console counterparts. Despite these delays, PC gamers remain optimistic for the game to be released on their platform of choice.

Fans have been puzzled by Rockstar delaying PC releases for years, which has sparked intense speculation. One theory that drives this strategy is financial gain as some players may purchase the game on both console and PC, effectively doubling revenue. Conversely, the company may prioritize ensuring a high-quality PC port, which allows the game to be fine-tuned for the platform. Unfortunately, GTA 6 may have somewhat undermined this theory as the PC version was still marred by technical issues despite dropping mere months after its console debut.

Maintaining a balance between complexity and opportunity may explain the reality behind Rockstar’s delayed PC releases. Moreover, navigating the vast array of PC configurations and components is undoubtedly more challenging than developing games for the fixed hardware of consoles. This complexity can cause resource constraints because developers must optimize the game for numerous hardware combinations.

As evidenced by the success of games on the platform, the potential benefits of a PC release are substantial. Notably, Rockstar isn’tthe only company to participate in this trend. For instance, other major players, such as PlayStation, also embrace the PC market by releasing previously exclusive titles on the platform following their console debut.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Interview

GTA 6, Grand Theft Auto 6
Screenshot courtesy of Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive

In an interview with IGN, Strauss Zelnick addressed the question of GTA 6‘s availability on PC. When answering whether excluding PC was a mistake, Zelnick emphasized the importance of the PC market and highlighted Take-Two’s support for the platform.

Pointing to the double launch of Civilization 7 on PC and Switch, he provided evidence of the company’s commitment to PC gaming. Furthermore, he discussed Rockstar’s staggered release approach as it releases games on select platforms before expanding to others. What’s more? Zelnick revealed that PC sales are comprised of over 40% of a game’s total sales.

For their popular titles like GTA 6, this statistic underscores the significance of the PC market. Specifically, the company is expected to benefit from the massive success of GTA RP as the PC platform has become increasingly important in the gaming industry. Despite the arrival of new console generations, the CEO anticipates this trend will continue. Additionally, he expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on console sales in a separate comment, suggesting that these trade policies may complicate the industry’s growth. 

While actively engaging with the media, Strauss Zelnick addressed various concerns and shared updates on Take-Two’s highly-anticipated title, GTA 6. In one interview, he discussed his concerns surrounding AI-generated graphics and the game’s potential impact on gun violence.

Additionally, he spoke on the game’s release potentially being pushed back to 2026, expressing confidence in its scheduled Fall 2025 launch. On Monday, Take-Two’s share price surged to an all-time high, showing that Zelnick’s reassurance had significantly impacted the market. Notably, his confident outlook on the game’s release likely fueled this increase and other positive developments within the industry.

GTA 6 is a Potential System-Seller

As of now, it remains uncertain whether GTA 6 will increase console sales to the extend anticipated by Strauss Zelnick. Indeed, the game’s console exclusivity may not hinder its massive launch sales. That being said, its the strongest contender with the potential to significantly boost 2025 sales of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Due to its immense popularity and hype, the game can be a system-seller, capable of driving hardware sales and further proving its dominance in the gaming world.
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