Roughly 1.5 million Americans could skip work for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) on November 19, one economist estimates. The lost output may reach $1 billion in a day.
Game publisher Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) forecasts more than $1 billion in operating cash flow this fiscal year. The figures match neatly, yet they measure different things.
Can the $1 Billion GTA 6 Sick Day Figure Be Trusted?
Economist Jos Garc a Montalvo of Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona is the source of the projection, IBTimes reported.
However, his interview with Spanish broadcaster Cadena SER gave no worker headcount, according to a second IBTimes report.
The projection singles out men aged 18 to 30 and technology workers as the likeliest to call in.
Meanwhile, California auto parts company Burger Motorsports has announced a company-wide operational pause for November 19, TechSpot reported.
Does Take-Two Really Bank the Money America Loses?
Not directly. Take-Two’s forecast covers operating cash flow, the cash its core business generates, across the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
That compares with $624 million in operating cash flow for fiscal 2026, according to Nasdaq.
Take-Two also guides for $8 billion to $8.2 billion in net bookings, meaning total game and service sales. Grand Theft Auto 6 anchors that outlook.
Take-Two shares trade near $206.70 on Wednesday, down 19.79% year to date, according to TradingView data.
Shares are down around 20% ahead of the anticipated launch. Image: Trading View
The stock is also down 12.5% over three months and 21.17% over a year. In contrast, Take-Two described an exceptional start to GTA 6 pre-orders in August but disclosed no figures.
The chart shows shares topping out in July before sliding sharply in early September.
Take-Two’s share price slump has persisted even as the company holds its November 19 date.
Whatever the final tally, one game now influences corporate staffing and a listed publisher’s outlook at once.
