Millions of fans pre-loading Grand Theft Auto VI have driven internet traffic to record highs across several global networks.
The massive 212GB file size of the Rockstar Games title caused a significant surge in data demand starting November 10, as players prepared for the official November 19 release. In the United Kingdom, broadband provider Virgin Media O2 reported its highest-ever daily data volume on November 10.
The provider said that its previous peak traffic record, established by an Arsenal v Atlético Madrid Champions League match in April, was beaten by 3.8 per cent. The total volume of data over the day was also 4 per cent higher than the previous record, which had been set just days earlier with the release of Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season on 1 November.
Fact: To download GTA 6 in 30 minutes on launch day without pre-loading, you would’ve needed a 1 Gbps internet. Even with pre-loading, an internet provider in the UK (YouFibre) reported network congestion caused by people rushing to download the game. Other companies including… pic.twitter.com/rnJFS78axy
The surge in activity is creating a massive commercial moment for the gaming industry. “I think GTA 6 will be the biggest entertainment launch in history,” predicts Geoff Keighley, gaming industry producer and entrepreneur behind The Game Awards. Keighley suggested the impact would go beyond dollars, stating it will “easily trump Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three” in terms of how it affects streaming, moviegoing, and how people spend their time.
“So this is not just about opening weekend,” gaming industry producer and entrepreneur Geoff Keighley said.
“It's going to be a watershed moment for not only the gaming industry but also all the folks in the media and entertainment industry who are going to have to deal with the fact that eyeballs are going to be leaving their environments to go play GTA 6,” Bart Spiegel, global media, entertainment, gaming and sports leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers, said.
Internet providers face traffic spikes
The pre-load period has placed measurable pressure on broadband infrastructure. Within the first hour of the pre-load going live, Virgin Media O2 saw a 51.6 per cent increase in traffic compared to the previous week. For many who pre-ordered through official stores, the download process may have occurred automatically.
The traffic surge also impacted other regions and providers. Significant rises in data traffic were recorded from users of PlayStation and Xbox online services. A spokesman said that, compared with ordinary nights, the increase was at times about a factor of 10.
Grand Theft Auto VI pre-loading is now available for everyone who has pre-ordered. If you still have yet to pre-order, now’s the time to make sure you're prepared for November 19: https://t.co/LUoPLobocD pic.twitter.com/TLtJUSFBwN
Netomnia and YouFibre chief executive Jeremy Chelot said that the traffic was creating an “issue” and that “congestion” was being experienced by users in Yorkshire. Marc Hölzer, head of network development, said that the network is prepared for such peaks, though providers expect even higher data volumes on the official release day of November 19.
The scale of the game has led to some player concerns regarding storage. The 212GB file takes up approximately one-third of the available storage on a base PlayStation 5. Some players who ordered physical copies have also reported not yet receiving their download codes.
Pre-order revenue nears $1 billion
While the technical infrastructure manages the load, the financial scale of the launch is becoming clear. “a reflection of the fact that the most avid consumers are the ones who are preordering now,” Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick told CNBC said, according to estimates from analytics firm Sensor Tower, GTA 6 has already generated more than $750 million in preorders for Xbox and PlayStation 5.
As of November 3, an estimated 7.71 million units had been sold, translating to $751 million in revenue. Another firm, NewZoo, expects the game to generate nearly $5.2 billion in revenue during its launch week.
UK broadband provider Virgin Media has announced in a new press release Grand Theft Auto VI pre-loads drove a record-breaking day on its broadband network, setting new records for both peak traffic and daily data usage. (H/T @PolitlcsUK) Read here: https://t.co/BzSiRZF9cO pic.twitter.com/WVyzbBO4Ns
The game is already competing with 2026’s major releases. NBA 2K27, Resident Evil: Requiem, 007 First Light, MLB: The Show 26, Crimson Desert, and Call of Duty: Black Ops II are among the top ten in Circana’s year-to-date sales rankings. While Resident Evil: Requiem has reportedly sold 8.5 million copies, GTA 6’s 7.71 million estimated sales suggest it is on track to be one of the year’s top sellers.
Competition for consumer attention
The release of GTA 6 coincides with several high-profile entertainment launches. Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to open on November 20, the day after the game launches, alongside the fourth season of Yellowjackets on Paramount+.
Disney will roll out the third season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on that same day. Five days later, Amazon MGM will release the limited series Blade Runner 2099. While The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in November, Ebenezer lands on November 13.
The game’s impact may also disrupt the music industry. The game features a 34-song soundtrack that has already reached 26 million monthly listens on Spotify, and a 30-track original score by Justice is scheduled for release on December 11.