The gaming world is bracing for absolute mayhem as pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI officially open today at midnight local time. Industry analyst Tom Henderson has dropped a bombshell prediction that the game could generate a staggering $1 billion in pre-order revenue within the first 60 minutes alone.

Record-Breaking Projections

Henderson, a well-known insider with a strong track record on Rockstar titles, made the claim during a recent discussion. He pointed out that GTA V needed three full days to reach the billion-dollar milestone. For GTA 6, he said it would be easy to hit the mark in one hour. That pace would mean roughly 12 to 14 million copies flying off digital and retail shelves in the opening stretch.

Pre-Order Details and Fan Reactions

Rockstar confirmed the pre-order window begins June 25 at midnight local time across major platforms. The standard edition carries a $79.99 price tag while the Ultimate Edition sits at $99.99. Both versions include the Vintage Vice City Pack with classic vehicles, outfits, and story-related extras. Digital pre-orders also come with one month of GTA+.

Physical copies, however, ship with a download code inside the box instead of a disc. That detail has already sparked frustration among collectors and longtime fans who prefer tangible media. Social media feeds are flooded with debates over the pricing, the lack of a physical disc, and whether the pre-order bonuses justify locking in money months before the November 19, 2026 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

With demand this high, many expect server crashes, long checkout queues, and frantic refresh battles once the clock strikes midnight. Past Rockstar launches have caused similar headaches, but the scale here looks historic. GTA 6 has evolved from a highly anticipated game into a full-blown cultural event, and the opening hours of pre-orders will test just how massive that appetite really is.

If the projection holds, the title will rewrite the record books before it even hits shelves. The first hour alone could deliver numbers that most games never reach in their entire lifetime. Fans are already posting countdowns, memes, and hot takes while retailers and digital stores prepare for what could be one of the busiest sales days in gaming history.

The pre-order rush is only the start. The real test comes later this year when the full experience drops in Leonida. For now, the industry is watching the clock and wondering just how quickly that first billion will arrive.