Skip to content
All about gadgets. — Gadgets — Food — Business — technology — News — sports — entertainment — Media — Advertising

Strategies for brand involvement: Leveraging chances in Grand Theft Auto VI for marketing purposes

Focus on the potential benefits derived from the launch event, rather than the game itself.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Focus on the potential benefits from the launch event, instead of the game itself.
Focus on the potential benefits from the launch event, instead of the game itself.

Strategies for brand involvement: Leveraging chances in Grand Theft Auto VI for marketing purposes

Update 6.5.25: Rockstar Games has announced a delay in the release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) until 26 May 2026.

—

The forthcoming release of GTA VI this autumn marks a significant milestone in the gaming and entertainment industries and presents a lucrative marketing opportunity. The franchise's last installment, GTA V, which was released in 2013, became the second highest-selling video game of all time, generating over $8.5 billion in revenue for Rockstar Games. With fans eagerly anticipating the latest addition to the GTA series, marketers have an opportunity to capitalize on this excitement.

—

Rockstar has established a reputation among gamers for crafting immersive, lived-in worlds with well-rounded characters and thoughtfully woven narratives. The studio's previous works, such as Red Dead Redemption (2010) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018), have been deemed among the best Western video games ever made. The enduring appeal of these games is evident as they continue to top download charts, with over 140 million people playing GTA V since its release, and around 130,000 players actively participating monthly.

—

The first trailer for GTA VI, released in 2022, has garnered 234 million views and close to a million comments on various platforms. Preliminary data from gaming research company DFC Intelligence indicates that pre-orders for GTA VI are predicted to surpass $1 billion, with revenues projected to reach approximately $3.2 billion within the first year of its release—double that of GTA V.

—

Given the expected popularity of GTA VI, other gaming studios have elected to avoid releasing competing titles around the same time. While an exact release date has yet to be announced, expectations are high that GTA VI will be such a profound phenomenon that its release may monopolize the market, with publishers concerned that players will focus solely on the new game.

—

According to entertainment and research company Midia Research, GTA VI players present a valuable demographic for marketers and consumer brands. These players tend to spend more time on social media, other media entertainment, and are receptive to influencers. In-game advertising may be unlikely, given Rockstar's preference for satirical ads, but there remains room for unofficial brand activations.

—

Christian Perrins, head of strategy at Waste Creative, suggests that the best opportunities for brands will come during the launch period, with activations that tie to the game's setting, such as Vice City, resonating most strongly with the audience. Perrins advises focusing on enhancing the player experience, taking part in the conversation, and utilizing platforms like Reddit and Twitch for advertising and partnership opportunities.

—

In terms of media reach, live streams offer a good starting point. GTA V earned 1.4 billion hours of Twitch viewing in the past year, and the GTA V Twitch page currently boasts over 68 million followers. With the impending release of GTA VI, the explosion in streaming is expected to be significant, making it vital for brands to navigate beyond Twitch and YouTube ads, engaging in creative, unexpected partnerships with creators.

—

Community spaces like Reddit are also expected to see an influx of players discussing and engaging with the new game. Brands can capitalize on this by considering platforms like Reddit, with its targeting capabilities and broad suite of ad formats, as well as creating exclusive merchandise and limited-time offers timed to coincide with the launch of GTA VI.

  1. The delay in the release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) until 26 May 2026 offers a significant marketing opportunity, particularly for businesses seeking to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the gaming and entertainment industries.
  2. Given the popularity of the Grand Theft Auto series, other businesses might choose to delay the release of competing products to avoid oversaturation and ensure that their products receive adequate attention.
  3. In the lead-up to the release of GTA VI, media outlets can expect a surge in news, discussions, and reviews on various fashion, food, technology, sports, entertainment, and advertising platforms as fans eagerly anticipate the new game.
  4. Marketers and consumer brands can leverage the demographic of GTA VI players, who tend to be engaged with social media, influencers, and media entertainment, to reach potential consumers through targeted advertising campaigns and brand activations.
  5. In the digital age of streaming, platforms like Twitch and YouTube provide opportunities for brands to engage with Grand Theft Auto community members in creative and unexpected ways, beyond traditional advertising formats.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest