The ‘Grand Theft Auto’ saga in numbers

Paris – Ahead of the debut of “Grand Theft Auto VI” on November 19, here are the key numbers that highlight the violent video game’s success since the series was launched in 1997.

 

– 480 million –

That is the number of Grand Theft Auto games sold so far by its creator Rockstar Games. “GTA V” alone has sold nearly 235 million units since its 2013 release, according to figures from Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, published Monday.

Released for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles as well as PCs, the game is the second best-selling video game behind “Minecraft”.

‘GRAND THEFT AUTO VI’ is officially the most pre-ordered video game in history. 🏆 https://t.co/AvHanrvKY3

— Complex Pop Culture (@ComplexPop) November 10, 2026

 

– 17 –

With the release of “GTA VI”, that is the number of stand-alone titles and expansion packs in the series, along with GTA Online.

 

– 3 –

It took just three days for “GTA V” to reach $1 billion in sales after its 2013 release, two days less than the movie “Avengers: Endgame”. Take-Two says it was the fastest time any entertainment product had taken to reach the billion-dollar mark.

 

– 212 –

“GTA VI” takes up 212 gigabytes (GB) at launch, making it one of the “biggest” video games created. It will need at least 45 minutes and possibly hours to download, depending on a computer’s internet speed.

Rockstar Games made the game available for pre-loading this week in a bid to ease the strain on computer servers on launch day.

When “Grand Theft Auto VI” drops on Nov. 19, it will end a 13-year drought for one of entertainment’s most valuable franchises.

Gamers have deemed the release date an unofficial holiday. They’re using their vacation time accordingly.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/CG8ZePx87N https://t.co/7mMsg81L8N

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 11, 2026

 

– 13 –

Fans have waited 13 years since the release of “GTA V” for the latest installment in the series. “GTA VI” was initially scheduled for late 2025 but was delayed twice, with Rockstar saying it needed extra time “to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect”.

 

– 6 –

The number of playable female characters in all the GTA games since 1997, before the introduction of Lucia Caminos in “GTA VI”.

 

– 90 –

The number of videos showing development phases for “GTA VI” that were stolen and put online in 2022.

 

– 4,000 –

The number of articles written about the Grand Theft Auto game up to 2009, according to Guinness World Records, which called it the world’s most controversial video game franchise.

Grand Theft Auto VI pre-loading is now available for everyone who has pre-ordered.

If you still have yet to pre-order, now’s the time to make sure you’re prepared for November 19: https://t.co/LUoPLobocD https://t.co/TLtJUSFBwN

— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) November 10, 2026

 

– 75 –

The fictional “GTA V” city of Los Santos and its suburbs is made up of 75 square kilometers (29 square miles) of territory, according to its official map.

For “GTA VI”, Rockstar has promised a map twice as big to encompass Vice City and the fictional state of Leonida, reportedly based on Florida.

 

– 861 –

The number of actors used to dub voices in the “GTA IV” game, according to the 2009 Guinness World Records book. Participants included Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose, actor Samuel L. Jackson and the rapper and actor Ice-T.

Picture: X/ @RockstarGames

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Source: AFP