GTA 6 vs. GTA 5: Head-to-Head Comparison
Comparing the projected numbers for Grand Theft Auto VI against the historical records set by Grand Theft Auto V in 2013.
GTA 6 is projected to more than double GTA 5's $800M opening day record, reaching $1.6B to $2.1B in its first 24 hours. A higher average price ($98 vs $60) and 92% digital downloads drive massive revenue growth.
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
← Scroll table horizontally on mobile →| Category | Grand Theft Auto V (Sept 17, 2013) | Grand Theft Auto VI (Nov 19, 2026) | Difference / Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Game Price | $59.99 Standard | $79.99 Standard • $99.99 Ultimate | +33% to +66% Price Shift |
| Average Price Paid Per Copy | $59.99 / copy | $97.79 / copy | +63% Average Price Increase |
| Total Pre-Order Sales | ~$250,000,000 (est.) | $1,142,000,000 (Sensor Tower) | +356% Pre-Order Growth |
| Day-One Sales (First 24 Hours) | $800,000,000 (Guinness Record) | $1.6B – $2.1B (Forecast) | 2.0x to 2.6x Bigger |
| Day-One Copies Sold | 11.21 Million Copies | 18.0M – 24.0M Copies | +60% to +114% More Copies |
| First 3 Days Sales | $1,000,000,000 (Official PR) | $2.5B – $3.2B (Projected) | 2.5x to 3.2x Pace |
| Consoles Sold at Launch Time | ~160M (PS3 & Xbox 360) | ~95M (PS5 & Xbox Series X/S) | -40% Fewer Consoles in Homes |
| Digital vs. Physical Discs | ~5% Digital / 95% Physical Discs | ~92% Digital / 8% Physical Boxes | Digital Transformation |
Adjusting for Inflation
In September 2013, GTA 5's $800 million opening day was celebrated as the largest launch in entertainment history. Adjusting for inflation up to 2026, that $800 million equals about $1.08 billion in today's money.
Even after adjusting for inflation, GTA 6's projected $1.6B to $2.1B day-one opening beats GTA 5 by 48% to 94% in real value.
Fewer Consoles, Bigger Sales
GTA 5 launched at the very end of the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation, after Sony and Microsoft had sold over 160 million systems worldwide over 7 years.
GTA 6 is launching with roughly 95 million PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles on the market. The fact that GTA 6 will beat GTA 5's sales with 40% fewer consoles available shows just how eager console owners are to play it (with 20% to 25% of all console owners buying it on day one).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did GTA 5 make on its first day in 2013?
Grand Theft Auto V made $800 million in sales (about 11.21 million copies at $60) in its first 24 hours on September 17, 2013 across PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
How does GTA 6’s expected launch compare to GTA 5?
GTA 6 is projected to make $1.6B to $2.1B on Day One (more than double GTA 5) and $2.5B to $3.2B in its first week, thanks to higher game prices ($98 average vs $60) and 92% digital downloads.
Why did GTA 5 have more consoles available at launch?
GTA 5 launched late in 2013 when over 160 million PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles had already been sold. GTA 6 launches with about 95 million PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles, but will make more money because a higher percentage of console owners are buying it.
How many total copies has GTA 5 sold in its lifetime?
According to Take-Two’s official financial reports, Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 205 million copies worldwide across PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
GTA 6 vs. Other Big Game Launches
Comparing GTA 6's predicted launch sales with Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Call of Duty.
Launch Sales Comparison (Millions of Dollars USD)
Comparing First 24 to 72 Hours| Game & Release Date | First 24 Hours Revenue | Opening Week Revenue | Day 1 Copies Sold | Price Per Game | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA 6 (Nov 19, 2026 Predicted) | $1.6B – $2.1B | $2.5B – $3.2B | 18M – 24M Copies | $97.79 avg | Analyst Forecast |
| Grand Theft Auto V (Sept 17, 2013) | $800,000,000 ($800M) | $1,000,000,000 (3 Days) | 11.21 Million Copies | $59.99 | Official Guinness Record |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 (Oct 26, 2018) | Not announced for Day 1 | $725,000,000 (Weekend) | ~10.0 Million (Est) | $59.99 / $79.99 | Take-Two Press Release |
| Crimson Desert (March 19, 2026) | ~$140,000,000 | ~$280,000,000 (Week 1) | 2.0 Million Copies | $69.99 | Circana Retail Data |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (Oct 28, 2022) | Not announced for Day 1 | $800,000,000 (3 Days) | ~11.4 Million (Est) | $69.99 | Activision Press Release |
What You'll Find on GTA6Earning.com
Explore our dedicated, deep-dive authority hubs tracking every commercial facet of Grand Theft Auto VI with verified corporate filings and telemetry.
Pre-Order Sales Tracker
Tracking $1.14B in pre-orders and 11.68M copies sold before launch.
Day-One Launch Records
Predicted first 24-hour sales of $1.6B to $2.1B worldwide.
Week-One Sales Predictions
First 7-day sales predictions, 28M–35M copies, and store numbers.
Month-One & Lifetime Sales
First 30-day benchmarks and multi-year sales forecasts.
Total Revenue Tracker
Total player spending compared to what Take-Two actually earns.
GTA 6 vs. Take-Two Total Revenue
The difference between game box sales and total company financial reports.
Take-Two Earnings Calls & Dates
Schedule of financial reports and quotes from CEO Strauss Zelnick.
Budget & Break-Even Calculator
How GTA 6 will make back its estimated $1.2B production budget.
PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Split
PS5 (~77%) vs Xbox (~23%) sales and debunking the 8:1 rumor.
Digital Downloads vs. Boxed Copies
92% digital downloads, download codes in boxes, and no used discs.
GTA 6 vs. GTA 5 Comparison
Head-to-head comparison against GTA 5's $800M first day and $1B 3-day records.
vs. Other Record Launches
Comparing GTA 6 with Crimson Desert, Red Dead 2, and movie records.
Average Price Paid Per Copy
Why the average price is $97.79 because 89% of buyers chose Ultimate ($100).
Fake Rumors & Fact-Checks
Checking the facts on the 39M copies hoax, $150 price rumor, and crypto claims.
Take-Two Stock Tracker
NASDAQ: TTWO stock price, Wall Street ratings, and company targets.