The hype around Grand Theft Auto 6 has been nothing short of explosive since Rockstar finally confirmed a November 19, 2026 release date and opened preorders on June 25. But just days into the preorder window, a new controversy has erupted—this time pitting PlayStation and Xbox against each other in a battle of numbers.
According to a report from IGN, data from their commerce affiliate linking program showed PlayStation preorders outpacing Xbox by a staggering 8-to-1 ratio. The post quickly went viral, racking up nearly 350 shares and reigniting the console war debate among fans. However, Xbox was quick to push back, with a spokesperson telling outlets that the IGN data does not reflect actual preorder figures.
“This doesn’t represent pre-order data,” the Xbox spokesperson said in a statement. “People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links.” The company also claimed that they have seen “record sales” so far, though specific numbers were not provided.
The back-and-forth comes amid broader fan frustration over the game’s pricing and edition structure. The standard edition of GTA 6 costs $79.99, while the Ultimate Edition—priced at $99.99—locks certain in-game content like shops, salons, and tattoo parlors behind a paywall. Many players have voiced anger online, arguing that this sets a dangerous precedent for the industry. Rockstar has defended the Ultimate Edition, saying it “amplifies the deepest and most immersive GTA experience yet with an exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action.”
Despite the controversy, preorder demand remains sky-high. The game is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and analysts expect it to shatter records when it finally launches. For now, the console rivalry is just another chapter in the long, dramatic road to GTA 6’s release.
In other entertainment news, Spider-Noir Smashes Prime Video Records with 851 Million Minutes Watched in First Week, and Toy Story 5 Crosses $200M Domestically in Record Time. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for the latest updates on GTA 6 and all your favorite titles.
