Grand Theft Auto 6 will skip PC platform for its initial launch in fall 2025, releasing exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently addressed this notable platform exclusion in an interview with IGN, explaining the company’s strategic approach to game releases. Despite PC gaming generating up to 40% of total sales for some titles, the company is sticking to its traditional console-first launch strategy for GTA 6.
“We don’t always go across all platforms simultaneously,” Zelnick explained, pointing out how Rockstar Games typically starts with select platforms before expanding to others. This approach, while consistent with past releases, has raised eyebrows in the gaming community given PC gaming’s growing importance in the modern gaming landscape.
The decision appears to be tied to console sales strategy. According to Zelnick, major game releases have historically driven console sales, and GTA 6 is expected to motivate many players to purchase current-generation gaming systems. “When you have a big title in the market, historically that has sold consoles,” he stated.
PC gamers might need to exercise considerable patience, as industry observers suggest the PC version likely won’t arrive until 2026 at the earliest. This delay comes despite Zelnick’s acknowledgment that “PC has become a much more important part of what used to be a console business.”
The strategy, however, stands in contrast to Take-Two’s approach with other games. As Zelnick pointed out, their recent release Civilization 7 launched simultaneously across all platforms, including PC and Nintendo Switch, highlighting how the company tailors its release strategy based on individual titles.
The decision comes at a time when console sales for both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have seen significant declines, making the console-first approach particularly noteworthy.
Meanwhile, Take-Two’s stock reached an all-time high following confirmation that GTA 6 remains on track for its fall 2025 release. It surpassed its long-time rival EA in market cap which is now estimating $37 billion, exceeding EA’s $34 billion.
