Experts warn Grand Theft Auto VI launch could cost Australian economy up to $70 million
PR and payroll specialists say the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI may lead to significant absenteeism and productivity losses in Australia, estimating a potential $70 million impact.
Australia is preparing for the November 19 launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, a highly anticipated video game that could affect workplace attendance. PR consultant Eitan Soloducho told nine.com.au that if one in 100 of the country’s 14 million workers calls in sick, the loss could amount to roughly 140,000 workdays, translating to about $70 million in output at an estimated $500 per day. He added that even employees who attend work may be distracted, a cost that is harder to quantify.
Ciaran Hale, chief technology officer at payroll firm Deputy, said shift workers often clear their schedules a day before a major game release to play as soon as servers open, potentially creating a multi-day staffing crunch for frontline operations. The game’s file size of around 210 GB also means a sizable download for console owners.
Historical data shows similar patterns; Deputy’s shift data indicated that mid-week releases, such as Overwatch 2 in 2022, triggered a spike in absenteeism. The Fair Work Ombudsman has reminded employees that they may request unpaid leave for personal reasons if they have exhausted entitlements under the National Employment Standards, but any such leave must be agreed with the employer.
Deputy advises employers to allow staff to swap shifts in advance of the launch window to avoid unexpected no-shows. Workplace culture expert Deepak Singh cautioned against assigning a precise economic loss, noting that the event may simply reveal existing management challenges rather than cripple productivity. He emphasized that planned annual leave remains a normal entitlement and that the launch could also boost retail sales and related economic activity.