Economist Projects 1.5 Million Sick Days and $1 Billion Loss for GTA 6's Launch
José García Montalvo estimates American workers will call in sick en masse on November 19 to play GTA 6 — about the same amount Take-Two is expected to earn that day.
GameSpot reported that economics professor José García Montalvo projects roughly 1.5 million Americans will call in sick on November 19, 2026, GTA 6's launch date, to play the game as soon as it's available — a phenomenon his math suggests could cost the US economy around $1 billion.
The math behind the number
Per an International Business Times report cited by GameSpot, Montalvo reached that figure assuming an average annual salary of $70,000 per worker. Multiplying that by the 1.5 million people projected to call in sick works out to roughly $1 billion — coincidentally close to what publisher Take-Two Interactive is estimated to earn from GTA 6 sales on November 19 alone.
The money doesn't vanish, it just changes hands
GameSpot notes the American economy isn't exactly "losing" money in this scenario: the bills are simply moving from the pockets of workers and businesses across the country into the coffers of one multi-billion-dollar corporation. It's worth noting Montalvo's projection is not an official forecast from any government body or from Rockstar itself — it's an academic estimate.
The 2013 'GTA flu' precedent
The phenomenon has precedent: at GTA V's September 2013 launch, an IGN poll of nearly 11,000 readers found 46% planned to take the day off work, informally dubbed "GTA flu." GameSpot notes that poll measured self-selected readers' stated intentions, not actual workplace absences — but it's evidence that Rockstar launches become genuine pop-culture moments.
Who's actually burning real vacation days to play
The report cites streamer and father of three Bud Burruss, who told the Wall Street Journal in September that he's taking a five-day vacation to play GTA 6. Others shared similar plans on social media, including couples who drafted "contracts" labeling playing GTA 6 without one's partner as cheating or break-up worthy. GameSpot also notes the US military is offering soldiers at Fort Stewart, Georgia, some days off to play the game.
Source: GameSpot (gamespot.com), citing a report from the International Business Times.
#GTA6 #Economy #Launch #TakeTwo
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are expected to skip work to play GTA 6?
Economics professor José García Montalvo projects about 1.5 million American workers will call in sick on November 19, 2026, launch day, according to an International Business Times report cited by GameSpot.
Where does the $1 billion loss estimate come from?
Montalvo multiplied an average annual salary of $70,000 per worker by the 1.5 million people projected to call in sick, landing near $1 billion — a figure close to what Take-Two is expected to earn from game sales that same day.
Is this an official Rockstar or US government projection?
No. It's an academic projection from economist José García Montalvo, with no official connection to Rockstar Games, Take-Two, or any US government agency.
Has something similar happened with previous games in the series?
Yes. In September 2013, an IGN poll of nearly 11,000 readers found 46% planned to take the day off to play GTA V, a phenomenon nicknamed 'GTA flu.' That poll measured stated intentions rather than actual absences, but it illustrates the same behavior pattern.
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