Microsoft has misplaced this console technology to Sony in terms of pure gross sales, however in keeping with one analyst, the discharge of GTA 6 may very well be a “final hurrah” for the Xbox Sequence X and S consoles. Rhys Elliott of MIDiA Analysis mentioned in an interview that, though Sony will emerge as this console technology’s victor, Microsoft may gain advantage considerably from GTA 6’s launch by way of {hardware} gross sales, particularly of the inexpensive Sequence S console.
“Like Rockstar’s different flagship titles, GTA 6 will hit PlayStation and Xbox earlier than it hits PC. Due to this fact, it may repay for Xbox to have a big Sequence S push and fireplace sale to tie in with GTA 6–as one final hurrah for this technology,” Elliott instructed Home windows Central. “The advertising workforce ought to be banging the drum, highlighting that ‘The Sequence S is probably the most accessible solution to play GTA 6.’ A sub-$200 Sequence S may very well be an attractive entry level to GTA for cash-strapped shoppers, of which there are various, because of as we speak’s tumultuous economic system and cost-of-living disaster.”
At the moment, the 512 GB Xbox Sequence S is priced at $300, with the 1 TB model going for $350–it’s not unusual to see decrease costs, although. Even when these costs maintain till GTA 6 launches this 12 months, the Sequence S would stay the least-expensive console somebody may purchase to play GTA 6, because the Sequence X and PS5 are costlier.
The Sequence S is underpowered in comparison with the Sequence X and the PS5, in fact, however Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick is not fearful about that. “Look, we assist the platforms the place the shoppers are for so long as they’re there, and we discover a solution to assist platforms regardless of totally different ranges of tech. Our labels are actually good at that. I am probably not fearful,” Zelnick mentioned.
Nevertheless, Elliott additionally talked about how the “sad-dad blue elephant within the room” is the likelihood that Sony, not Microsoft, secures advertising rights to GTA 6. If this occurs, it may give Sony a much bigger edge, as trailers and different advertising supplies would deal with PlayStation, not Xbox. Elliott identified how Sony paid Warner Bros. for the advertising rights to Hogwarts Legacy, which he mentioned led to non-console homeowners shopping for a PlayStation console, not Xbox, to play the sport.
“It’s value noting that PlayStation would very a lot need the identical factor to occur with GTA 6. Take-Two additionally in fact desires to promote probably the most copies it may possibly and would accomplish that through PS5’s larger put in base. That is why I reckon PlayStation will get the rights,” Elliott mentioned.
Console gross sales within the US are slumping, and different specialists have predicted that GTA 6’s launch–combined with the debut of the Swap 2–could assist elevate the general gaming market in 2025.
GTA 6 launches this fall for PS5 and Xbox Sequence X|S, although it may very well be delayed. Rockstar Video games launched the sport’s one and solely trailer again in December 2023, and since then, the corporate has not mentioned a single phrase in regards to the sport.
