Economist estimates GTA 6 launch could cost US economy $1 billion in lost output

Economist José García Montalvo estimates that 1.5 million Americans may skip work on November 19, the release date of Grand Theft Auto 6, resulting in $1 billion in lost daily economic output. The projection focuses on men aged 18 to 30 and technology workers. Meanwhile, Take-Two Interactive forecasts over $1 billion in operating cash flow for the fiscal year ending March 2027, though the company clarifies this measures annual core business cash generation, not a direct correlation to the single-day loss figure.