GTA 6’s impending release has stirred up excitement among gamers and industry experts alike, with predictions that it could be the game to finally entice PS4 and Xbox One holdouts to upgrade to current-gen consoles. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella emphasizes the significance of GTA 6 to the console market, stating that its impact cannot be overstated.

Despite the launch of the PS5 over three years ago, a substantial number of active users, approximately 97 million, are still utilizing the PS4. Sony is eager to transition its user base to the latest console, especially considering data that indicates PS5 users are engaging in significantly more gameplay hours compared to their PS4 counterparts.

Piscatella highlights the phenomenon of ‘black hole games,’ popular cross-generation titles like Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox, Call of Duty, and GTA V, which have kept players on older consoles. He notes that these evergreen games with massive player bases make it easy for gamers to delay upgrading to newer hardware.

However, Piscatella believes that GTA 6, as a current-gen exclusive and the sequel to the best-selling video game of all time, could be a game-changer in enticing players to transition to the PS5 and Xbox Series X. With no announced PC version, GTA 6’s exclusivity could be a significant factor in driving users to upgrade their consoles.

While Piscatella’s observations are based on Sony’s data, it is likely that Xbox also aims to encourage its user base to shift to the Xbox Series X/S. The release of GTA 6 could serve as a pivotal moment for both PlayStation and Xbox, prompting users to move on from their older consoles for good.

Even with potential releases such as the PS4 Pro and a rumored Xbox mid-cycle refresh, Piscatella remains skeptical about their impact on accelerating the transition to newer consoles. He argues that GTA 6’s exclusivity and the anticipation surrounding its release are more likely to drive the majority of players to consider upgrading their gaming hardware.