‘Grand Theft Auto Flu’: is the whole world really taking the day off work to play GTA VI?
Summary
Grand Theft Auto VI is due for release on 19 November, and its expected popularity has prompted claims that many workers will take time off to play it. Researchers say some absences are likely, but claims of major economic losses and widespread sick leave rely on forecasts, surveys, or limited data rather than confirmed outcomes.Key Facts
- Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on 19 November, 13 years after the previous new game in the franchise.
- Some forecasts predict 40 million copies sold in the first three months and US$3 billion in revenue.
- Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick joked in April that many people would call in sick on the release date.
- A survey of 1,000 people by a broadband comparison service was used to claim that up to 2.5 million British workers might take leave, including 900,000 who might call in sick.
- An employment platform said leave requests for 19 November were 29% higher than the previous year among its own users.
- Researcher Jacqueline Burgess cited a human resources firm’s claim that about one in five U.S. workers planned to take leave.
- Digital sociologist Daniel Joseph said people take time off for other popular games as well, including Call of Duty.
- Japan’s Dragon Quest series shifted a release day to Saturday in the 1990s after reports of students skipping school and employees calling in sick.
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