Circana: nearly 1 in 3 US gamers plan to buy GTA 6

Circana analyst Mat Piscatella says close to a third of gamers in the United States, across console and PC, plan to purchase GTA 6. GamesRadar+ puts the number at 29%. Circana also describes the title as the most anticipated video game release in its tracking history. Seeking Alpha first reported the finding on October 28, 2026.

Piscatella wrote that GTA 6 "represents a rare cultural and commercial moment for the video game industry." He added that "Players have been waiting 13 years for a sequel to Grand Theft Auto 5, and demand is expected to extend beyond software sales to include consoles, accessories, and gaming subscriptions as consumers prepare for launch." Per GamesRadar+, he also suggested many players who have not upgraded may buy a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series mainly to play the game. Tech Insider labels that point a paraphrase, not a direct quote.

Piscatella said GTA 6 will drive software sales, hardware upgrades and gaming tech purchases in the fourth quarter, as retailers gear up for Black Friday and holiday shopping. The underlying data is Circana's PlayerPulse consumer tracking survey of US console and PC players.

Tech Insider notes that the exact percentage behind "nearly 1-in-3" is not confirmed in its verified facts, and that Circana's wording refers to its own tracking history. Purchase intent measures stated interest rather than actual sales, and the finding carries no unit forecast or revenue estimate.