Millions expected to call in sick for GTA 6 release day
Source: Rockstar Games
The debut of
Grand Theft Auto VI
is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly awaited entertainment launches of the decade and it might come with an unexpected side effect: the
'GTA flu.'
A recent study shows that nationwide search interest in the game has reached record levels, suggesting that millions of U.S. workers may take the day off, whether through approved leave or by calling in sick, once the game drops.
Study issues warning of GTA 6 launch-related mass absences
A recent report from fan site GTA Boom, extensively covered by TweakTown and GamingBible, suggests that GTA 6 release might lead to a tide of coincidentally scheduled sick leave. The data suggests that Florida, California, and Texas are among the states leading the chart in anticipation level, with Florida beating the national average by 31%.
Matt Gibbs, head of GTA Boom, observed, Considering the trend in huge sick day spikes upon release of high-profile titles, such as Red Dead Redemption II, it would come as no surprise to hear of an outbreak of
'GTA flu'
when the game comes out. He also cautioned employers in areas of high interest to prepare for an evident spike in time-off requests near the release date.
Historical trends indicate the phenomenon is genuine
This would not be the first time a Rockstar game inspired an unofficial holiday.
When Grand Theft Auto V was released in 2013, a survey by IGN found that 46% of the 10,995 people who participated took the day off. Of those people, almost 2,100 said they were pretending to be sick in order to take the day off.
GTA Boom research draws on this cultural phenomenon and uses Google search traffic and social activity to measure the levels of excitement and make predictions about behavior. The concept of
"gaming sick days"
has become more prevalent, particularly for one-in-a-generation games such as GTA 6 that create huge worldwide buzz.
Although Rockstar Games has not yet made an official announcement regarding a release date, it's obvious that GTA 6 is already making waves. If past experience is anything to go by, and all indications are that it may be, employers can expect a dead day at the office. The virtual Vice City streets may end up being busier than the physical world when the launch date finally rolls around.
Also Read:
MindsEye's $60 price tag sets new expectations for GTA 6 players
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