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GTA 6 'Flu' Season: Take-Two Boss Expects Fans to Call in Sick on Launch Day
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says he expects 'a lot of people will be calling in sick on November 19' when GTA 6 launches, echoing the infamous 'GTA 5 flu' phenomenon from 2013.
Key update
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has weighed in on what he expects the impact of GTA 6's launch will look like — and it involves a lot of empty office chairs. Speaking at a recent conference, Zelnick said he 'thinks a lot of people will be calling in sick on November 19,' the day Grand Theft Auto VI finally hits shelves.
Why it matters
The comment is a playful nod to a very real phenomenon. When GTA 5 launched in September 2013, 'GTA 5 flu' became a widely used term as legions of fans called in sick to work and school to play the game on day one. With GTA 6 expected to be the biggest entertainment launch in history, Zelnick clearly anticipates history repeating itself on an even larger scale.
What to watch
Zelnick elaborated on Take-Two's ambitions for the title, saying the company is focused on 'making the most spectacular piece of entertainment on Earth, in history — and it's a pretty daunting challenge.' He added that if they succeed in serving their community, 'then we'll do just fine' commercially.
Context
The CEO's comments came during a period of intense fan speculation about the game's marketing timeline. Zelnick has previously confirmed that summer marketing for GTA 6 will begin 'soon,' fuelling hopes that Trailer 3 and pre-order pages could drop around Take-Two's upcoming earnings call on May 21.
Bottom line
At the moment, Rockstar has released only two trailers for GTA 6, with the last one arriving in December 2024 — nearly a year ago. The studio's silence has become one of the most discussed aspects of the game's pre-launch period, with fans poring over every social media post and database entry for clues.
Update 6
Beyond the 'sick day' quip, Zelnick addressed lingering concerns about the game's price point. He has indicated that GTA 6 will not be priced in a 'super-premium' territory, pushing back against fan speculation that the game could cost $100 or more at launch.
Update 7
The comparison to GTA 5's launch is apt. That game earned $1 billion in its first three days — a record that stood for years. GTA 6 is widely expected to surpass that milestone, with some analysts predicting it could become the fastest-selling entertainment product of all time.
Update 8
For fans planning their own 'GTA 6 flu' day, November 19, 2026 is now locked in as the official release date after multiple delays. The game was originally expected in early 2025 before being pushed to May 2026, and then to its current November date.
Update 9
Zelnick also dropped hints about other Take-Two projects during the same conference, mentioning that L.A. Noire could be making a comeback and that rumours of a current-gen upgrade for Red Dead Redemption 2 have some basis. But GTA 6 remains the crown jewel of the company's upcoming portfolio.
Update 10
With summer marketing confirmed and an earnings call on the horizon, the next few weeks could finally bring the news fans have been waiting for: Trailer 3, pre-order details, and perhaps a concrete look at what Vice City has in store.