GTA 6 Launch Sparks Surge in PTO Requests, Data Shows

Ever thought about calling in sick to play a video game? You're not alone. New data from BambooHR suggests a lot of people are planning to take time off work for the launch of GTA 6 on November 19.

BambooHR, which provides HR software to over 30,000 companies, looked at paid time off (PTO) data from active US employees. They found that PTO requests for the third Thursday of November—the day GTA 6 drops—are running 9-17% higher than historical averages from recent years. The company says this trend is consistent "at every checkpoint we can measure."

Of course, November 19 isn't just any Thursday. It's the day GTA 6 finally hits PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. With a playthrough taking around 80 hours, it's no wonder people want to dive in right away. And since the game launches on a Thursday, many might be eyeing a long weekend to get a solid start.

BambooHR acknowledges it can't definitively say GTA 6 is the reason for the spike. But the data shows a "real, reproducible signal," according to a memo sent to GameSpot. Sure, there are other events that day—like the early access launch of Witch the Showdown, or anniversaries like the Mayflower reaching Cape Cod—but come on, let's be real.

Also launching on November 19 is GTA 6: The Album, featuring 34 songs written for the game by a range of famous artists. Unlike the game, the album will be available on disc. So you can soundtrack your marathon sessions.

So, are you one of the many planning to take November 19 off? Will you be picking up the game at midnight and playing all weekend? Let us know in the comments!