GTA 6 release date branded 'global distraction event', with millions off work and school

“I’m sorry but I’m not feeling very well...”

Come the launch date of GTA VI, those are the words that’ll be echoing across the globe.

Rockstar Games’ next GTA title is easily one of the most anticipated games of 2025, meaning millions are planning for its arrival accordingly.

GTA VI fans were already hyped – they have been since before the first trailer dropped – but when Rockstar made a surprise announcement, their excitement cranked up to 11.

It’s unsurprising, then, that so many gamers intend to take time off to play.

The one GTA VI fuelling an entire fandom

A recent survey carried out by GTA Boom, a GTA fan site, used Google Keyword Planner to determine which US states are the most fired up about the launch.

What the site found, according to Tweak Town, are “unprecedented rates” are people taking the day, or week, off to game.

Moreover, Florida came out on top as the state most excited about GTA VI.

In fact, Florida has been researching the game so much that it’s 31 percent over the national US average search rates for GTA VI.

Considering the new game is based on Florida, it’s not all that difficult to understand why they’re so pumped.

In second place is Nevada, with a 26 percent higher than average search rate. Followed by New York, which came in at a slightly lower 24 percent.

Despite Florida dominating, a clear pattern has emerged from these statistics, one that speaks of excessive hype.

The director of GTA Boom, Matt Gibbs, had this to say, “We're all incredibly excited about the long-awaited release of GTA VI, especially since it's been over a decade since the last Grand Theft Auto game.”

They continued, “This research highlights the regions where anticipation is at its peak. Given the history of significant sick day spikes during major game releases [...] it wouldn't be surprising to see a wave of 'GTA flu' when the game launches.”

As someone who’s been covering GTA VI news on and off for months now, what Gibbs says rings true.

With new teasers coming ahead of an official second trailer, there’s plenty of reasons to be excited about GTA VI.

You just wait until that second trailer drops – you won’t have seen anything like it.