GTA 6 sets a record: 29% of US gamers plan to buy it, according to Circana

GTA 6 has set a new record before it's even out. According to research published on October 28, 2026 by analytics firm Circana, 29% of US console and PC gamers say they intend to buy the game, nearly one in three. That's the highest purchase intent Circana has ever recorded for a video game.

What exactly does Circana measure?

Circana is one of the go-to sources for the US video game market: it's the firm behind the monthly US game sales charts. Its PlayerPulse research asks players about their buying plans. For GTA 6, 29% of US console and PC gamers say they plan to buy the game, a level no other title has reached in the firm's surveys.

That number still needs context. It's stated intent, not confirmed sales or pre-orders. The survey also includes PC players, even though GTA 6 launches on November 19 only on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Circana also hasn't said which game held the previous record.

What does Circana's analyst say?

Mat Piscatella, video game industry analyst at Circana, calls GTA 6 "a rare cultural and commercial moment for the video game industry." In his view, the game will be a major driver not only of software sales but also of hardware upgrades and gaming tech purchases. He believes many players who haven't upgraded to a current-generation console yet may pick up a PS5 or Xbox Series to play it, right in the middle of the holiday season.

Why isn't this record a surprise?

The previous game is still a phenomenon in the US. According to Circana, GTA V ranked among the country's 20 best-selling games every year from 2013 through 2025. In 2025, it was still third for total active users across PlayStation and Xbox, twelve years after release.

This new data point adds to other signals. Sensor Tower recently estimated GTA 6 pre-orders at 6.45 million copies. If you're still on the fence, our GTA 6 price guide compares the Standard and Ultimate editions, and our pre-order guide covers the bonuses.

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