Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick believes Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) will increase console sales in the fall of 2025 despite existential tariff concerns.
Donald Trump’s plan to impose significant trade tariffs on countries like Mexico and Canada is worrying many industries, including video games. It will raise the cost of console parts, sparking concerns that players may have to pay more to upgrade or buy new gaming systems.
Zelnick predicts that even though tariffs might further increase console prices, he believes GTA 6 will persuade players to invest in new gaming devices. He told IGN “I don’t think tariffs are going to be our friend, but I think there will be a meaningful uptick in console sales in calendar 25 because of the release schedule, not just coming from us, but coming from others.”
GTA 6 will boost sales in 2025
Zelnick believes big titles like GTA 6 have proven historically to drive more console sales. For this reason, he is not concerned about the drop in console sales.
Recently, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) warned that these tariffs could cause “significant harm” to the gaming market.
“Video games are one of the most popular and beloved forms of entertainment for Americans of all ages.” the ESA said. “Tariffs on video game devices and related products would negatively impact hundreds of millions of Americans and would harm the industry’s significant contributions to the U.S. economy.”
The ESA hopes to work with government leaders on a better plan, but it remains uncertain if officials will listen.
Higher prices for gaming consoles may encourage video game enthusiasts to shift their interest to PC-based gaming platforms. Moreover, consumers who already own gaming computers may be discouraged from spending additional money on console systems.
Gaming PCs may also have increased costs in the near future. Therefore, it is unclear which side will benefit from affordability in the long term.
GTA 6 will not be released simultaneously on PC
Zelnick hinted that GTA 6 will follow Rockstar’s typical roadmap of appearing first on consoles, with a PC version likely to come later.
People question Rockstar’s decision to postpone PC releases of its major titles, suggesting it is a strategic mistake to ignore simultaneous PC launch products, especially during tariff risks.
However, Zelnick acknowledged the “increasing share of the market that is reflected in PC.” He said “We have seen PC become a much more and more important part of what used to be a console business, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that trend continue”
As for the GTA 6 release, Zelnick said, “We don’t always go across all platforms simultaneously. Historically, Rockstar has started with some platforms and then historically moved to other platforms.”
For PC players, that may mean waiting until at least 2026 to jump into the next chapter of Rockstar’s hugely popular open-world crime saga.
Meanwhile, the entire gaming industry is anxious to see how these looming tariffs might affect prices and whether that will lead more people to pick up a keyboard and mouse instead of a controller.
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