Company Braces For GTA 6 Launch By Warning Of Potential Productivity Slowdown
The anticipation surrounding the release of Grand Theft Auto VI appears to be extending beyond the gaming community and into the workplace, with one company publicly acknowledging that the highly anticipated launch could affect its day-to-day operations.
Burger Motorsports, an automotive performance parts and tuning company, recently shared what it described as an internal company notice on Instagram, warning staff, customers, dealers, and business partners about possible disruptions on November 19 – the scheduled release date for Rockstar Games’ blockbuster title.
According to the notice, management reviewed employee scheduling requests and identified a significant number of potential absences linked to the game’s launch.
The company stated that “after reviewing multiple employee scheduling conflicts,” it had concluded that “normal business operations may be impacted due to the release of Grand Theft Auto 6.”
The notice further revealed that several employees had already informed management that they would be unavailable on launch day. In a humorous nod to the game’s setting, the company noted that some team members would be “unavailable, unreachable, and/or ‘in Vice City’ for the duration of the day.”
Burger Motorsports closed the message by thanking customers and partners for their understanding during what it described as an “unprecedented cultural event.”
While the company’s decision to publish the notice on social media has led some observers to speculate that it may be a marketing stunt, it highlights the extraordinary level of excitement surrounding the game’s release. Industry analysts expect many workplaces to experience increased leave requests and absenteeism when the title finally launches.
The announcement comes as Rockstar Games recently unveiled the official cover art for Grand Theft Auto VI and confirmed that pre-orders will begin on June 25. The artwork maintains the franchise’s signature collage-style design, a visual tradition that dates back to Grand Theft Auto III in 2001.
One recurring feature that remains intact is the presence of a helicopter in the upper-left section of the artwork – a design element that has appeared throughout much of the series’ history, although it was absent from some international versions of GTA III.
Meanwhile, PC gamers may have to wait longer to experience the title. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, has yet to announce a PC version of the game. Explaining the company’s approach, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick previously suggested that PC players are not the franchise’s “core” audience and generally spend less on GTA Online compared to console users.
With millions of fans expected to dive into Vice City on launch day, businesses around the world may soon discover whether Burger Motorsports is an exception — or simply the first company willing to publicly acknowledge the impact of gaming’s biggest release.
