New Delhi, Oct. 26 -- Nobody has shipped Grand Theft Auto VI yet, but the highly anticipated title from Rockstar Games is already dictating American schedules.

With the industry poised for a massive 19 November 2026 release, pre-launch fever has gripped fans, prompting potential workplace sick calls, productivity drops, and a noticeable shift away from traditional entertainment.

A GameSquare survey of 1,000 full-time US employees who identify as gamers showed that 10% plan to skip work on launch day. Another 30% said they were considering taking time off.

This phenomenon, dubbed the "Grand Theft Auto effect", is sending ripples through human resource departments, sports broadcasting networks, and Hollywood box offices alike, according ...