Entertainment · Gaming · 2 hrs ago
GTA 6’s 212GB digital launch could strain game stores
Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a digital-only release, so buyers will need to download the game rather than buy a physical copy.
The game is 212GB in size, far larger than Hollow Knight: Silksong, whose 2025 launch caused several digital storefronts to crash.
Sensor Tower estimates that nearly 8 million players have pre-ordered GTA 6, and more sales are expected at launch.
Experts say Sony and Microsoft will carry much of the download pressure, while pre-loading and fewer competing game launches may help.
Rockstar’s online mode is due later, so the initial launch is the single-player game and the main strain is expected to fall on platform stores.
Pre-loading starts November 10, ahead of the November 19 launch, but PlayStation and Xbox have not commented on how they are preparing.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to require a 212GB download, raising concerns about pressure on digital storefronts and internet infrastructure.
The game is scheduled to launch on November 19, with pre-loading set to begin at midnight on November 10.
It is described as the first digital-only release of a blockbuster on this scale, meaning buyers will need to download it.
Nearly 8 million players had pre-ordered the game, according to Sensor Tower estimates cited by GamesIndustry.biz.
Experts told GamesIndustry.biz that platform holders Sony and Microsoft, rather than Rockstar, will bear the main burden of handling downloads.
- Who
- Rockstar Games is releasing Grand Theft Auto 6. Sony and Microsoft operate the digital storefronts expected to handle downloads.
- What
- The 212GB game is set for a digital-only launch. Its size and expected demand could strain storefronts and internet infrastructure.
- When
- The launch is scheduled for November 19. Pre-loading starts at midnight on November 10.
- Where
- On PlayStation and Xbox digital storefronts, with downloads taking place over the internet.
- Why
- The game is a digital-only release and has a large download size, with many players expected to download it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The launch of Grand Theft Auto 5's online component did not go smoothly, and Rockstar's infrastructure was overwhelmed.
Hollow Knight: Silksong's launch caused the Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox and Steam digital storefronts to crash.
Pre-loading for Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to begin at midnight.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch.
- Download size
- 212GB
- Pre-orders
- Nearly 8 million, according to Sensor Tower estimates
- Pre-load begins
- Midnight on November 10
- Launch date
- November 19
- Silksong first-three-month sales
- 7 million units
What people are saying
The heavy lifting sits with Sony and Microsoft, not Rockstar
Nobody wants to be the platform that fell over on the biggest launch in a decade
If you go back as far as the first Call of Duty map packs, we were overwhelmed and learned the hard way