Companies report record PTO requests the week of GTA VI release
Solanos, August 27,2026- The long-awaited installment of the Grand Theft Auto series is set to arrive November 19, 2026. This comes only after a brief, short and quick hiatus of 13 years. GTA V was released on September 17, 2013. In 2013, we saw the release of Disney’s Frozen, the election of Pope Francis, the iPhone 5 was released, Thrift Shop and Blurred Lines were on the radio, it truly was a different time. So now imagine the public’s response to the announcement of GTA VI on December 4, 2023.
Since then, we were frequently left in the dark for extended periods of time. We were promised a release date in 2025, but it was eventually delayed until late 2026. Just months away from the release, the gaming community still had yet to receive game play content, marketing or further updates, but Rockstar was bold enough to put the game on preorder. This was a semi-controversial move on Rockstar’s part as the requests of the fan base were seemingly ignored. Game play content was leaked to the starving and destitute fan base, which led to controversy, backlash and silence from the developers up until now.
With the release of the Extended Game Play on Netflix and YouTube on August 27, 2026, companies have begun reporting a massive influx of PTO requests for that week. This influx of requests comes disproportionately from men aged 22-40, in one recent survey by yours truly. Companies, particularly from Texas, have prepared for the potential decimation of staffing the week of November 19. Many of these PTO requests have already been denied, or plan to be denied, but these young men have taken to the internet and stated they will be off that week regardless of if their job approves of it or not.
Netflix subscriptions have increased sharply this past week solely for the early viewing of the extended look. Preorders have skyrocketed based on current predictions. Many gaming analytic sites and buddies of mine predict that GTA VI will be the cultural phenomenon that Fortnite was. The economic impact of this game is multifaceted. For one, many companies will have to deal with the extensive aforementioned PTO requests, call ins, workplace distractions and overall decreased productivity. Most heavily affected industries include those of which are male dominated, such as manual labor and tech. Companies such as Ulta and Sephora report a record 0 PTO requests for that week. The other side of this game’s economic impact include the expected increase of Rockstar’s staffs’ salaries, pizza restaurants sales, and energy drink brands such as Monster’s and Redbull’s stock value and sales.
Until that day comes, fans will be eagerly awaiting the most anticipated game of the 21st century so far. It comes out exactly one week before Thanksgiving, so be not surprised when your family member walks out of his room for the first time in a week to have turkey. This game gives us the opportunity to reunite with friends and family that we have lost touch with throughout the years. Such a heartwarming moment for a game whose premise is violence, drug trafficking, armed robbery, and grand theft auto.