GTA 6 has become such a major event that some fans are already planning to take time off work just to play it. The excitement was the subject of a recent FOX 2 Detroit interview, where gamer and tech commentator Ethan Lloyd explained why Rockstar Games’ upcoming release means so much to fans who have waited years for the next mainline Grand Theft Auto game.
During the interview, Lloyd explained that the long wait since GTA 5 has made the next game feel like much more than a normal video game release.
He also revealed that he plans to take launch day off himself, despite discussing the possible effect that widespread absences could have on workplaces.
“I’ve been waiting a decade to play this game,” Lloyd said during the segment, explaining why he wants to be ready when GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026.
The conversation also touched on how much gaming has changed since GTA 5 arrived in 2013.
Many fans who played the previous game as children or teenagers are now adults with jobs and family responsibilities. For them, the release of GTA 6 is a rare chance to return to a series that has been part of their lives for more than a decade.
The FOX 2 Detroit host compared the excitement to the Monday after the Super Bowl, when some people struggle to focus on work after a major sporting event. The host even joked about creating a “Grand Theft holiday” so fans could enjoy the launch without worrying about work.
Could GTA 6 Really Cost the US Economy $1 Billion?
The interview comes as a widely shared estimate claims that the launch of GTA 6 could lead to around $1 billion in lost productivity across the United States in a single day. Some reports have linked the figure to an estimate involving workers taking time off or calling in sick to play the game.
However, the number should be treated with caution. It is not an official government forecast, and the assumptions behind the estimate have been questioned.
In an October 22 report, Fortune spoke to economist Victor Matheson, who argued that the effect could be much smaller than the headline figure suggests. Workers who take paid leave on launch day may simply work on another day instead, meaning some activity could be shifted rather than permanently lost.
The estimate also does not mean the US economy will definitely lose $1 billion when the game arrives. The actual impact will depend on how many people take time off, how businesses manage staffing, and whether missed work is made up later.
Still, the discussion shows how much attention the game is attracting before launch. Reports have also highlighted workers requesting vacation days and businesses adjusting schedules around November 19.
GTA 6 Is Becoming a Major Cultural Event
The reaction is not entirely surprising. Grand Theft Auto 5 launched in 2013 and went on to become one of the most successful entertainment releases ever. Its successor has been anticipated for years, with Rockstar’s trailers and promotional activity keeping fans interested while they wait for the next chapter.
Rockstar has scheduled GTA 6 for November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game will take players back to Vice City, Rockstar’s fictional version of Miami, within the larger state of Leonida.
With the release date approaching, fans are already discussing launch-day plans, while real-world promotions and media coverage are adding to the excitement. The FOX 2 Detroit interview is another sign that interest in GTA 6 has moved beyond gaming news and into everyday conversation.
Whether the launch causes anything close to the projected productivity loss remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: for some fans, playing GTA 6 on day one is important enough to put in a vacation request well before the game arrives.
