Gamers across the United States are planning leave in advance to play Grand Theft Auto VI after its release, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal predicted that the release of the video game could cause a widespread workplace blackout as employees set aside unused paid vacation time to dedicate multiple days to gaming.
Several readers described saving up their paid time off specifically for the arrival of the game. One American engineer interviewed by the publication reported plans to take five days of leave, while another reader said she intends to devote an entire week to playing the title.
Military incentives and vacation plans
Preparations for the release have also reached the United States armed forces. One military unit offered service members a four-day leave on the condition that they extend their contracts until the game is released.
The Wall Street Journal noted that strong public interest in the upcoming release is already influencing the personal and professional plans of individuals long before the game is officially launched.
Grand Theft Auto VI is an upcoming action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games, a major American publisher headquartered in New York City. The title is the successor to Grand Theft Auto V, which was released in 2013 and went on to become one of the most commercially successful entertainment products in history.
Franchise history and developer apologies
The news comes after earlier developments involving previous entries in the franchise. Thomas Williamson, the head of video game developer Grove Street Games, previously issued an apology for disastrous releases of remastered classic games in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Five years after those remastered versions were released to the public, Williamson acknowledged that most of the complaints raised by gamers were justified.
Grove Street Games is an independent development studio based in Gainesville, Florida. The company previously partnered with Rockstar Games to adapt and remaster older titles in the franchise, including Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy.
The Wall Street Journal is a national daily business and financial newspaper based in New York City and published by Dow Jones and Company.
