Pre-Order Data Dispute Erupts Over Grand Theft Auto 6
An IGN report based on affiliate link data suggests a massive PlayStation lead, but Xbox pushes back—while Rockstar's trailer updates raise eyebrows.
The IGN Report
On June 27, 2026, IGN published a report claiming that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 on the PlayStation 5 were outperforming those on the Xbox Series X/S by a ratio of 8-to-1. The figure was initially reported as 6-to-1 before being revised upward.
The data was drawn from IGN's "IGN Finds" and commerce affiliate linking program, which tracks clicks and eventual purchases driven by the publication's referral links.
"This doesn't represent pre-order data. We've had record orders. People should wait for real data and not clicks on affiliate links." — Xbox spokesperson
Xbox Responds: "Not Real Data"
An Xbox spokesperson issued a firm rebuttal, dismissing the affiliate link metrics as an unreliable proxy for actual pre-order figures. The spokesperson highlighted that Xbox has seen record orders for the title and urged the public to wait for official sales data.
Industry outlet Windows Central echoed this caution, noting that affiliate link data reflects the demographics of a specific publication's readership and is "not considered a reliable indicator of total market performance."
Rockstar's Trailer Update Adds Fuel to the Fire
In a separate but related development, Rockstar Games updated two official Grand Theft Auto 6 trailers on YouTube to include affiliate links—but only to the PlayStation Store.
Trailers #1 and #2, which together have amassed 441 million views, now feature clickable links directing viewers to pre-order on PlayStation. No such links were added for the Xbox marketplace.
Critics have seized on this omission, suggesting the game is being unofficially promoted as a PS5 exclusive—a claim Microsoft has not directly addressed, though it has reaffirmed that it is seeing "record sales" for the title.
Context: Xbox Consolidating, Prices Rising
The pre-order dispute occurs against a backdrop of significant hardware price changes from Microsoft. Effective August 1, 2026, the new console pricing is:
- Xbox Series S 512GB: $499
- Xbox Series S 1TB: $599
- Xbox Series X 1TB: $800
- Xbox Series X 1TB Digital: $750
These price increases may be influencing consumer purchasing behavior ahead of GTA 6's release.
Release Schedule and Missing Trailer
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026.
Fans had speculated that the highly anticipated third trailer would premiere alongside the opening of pre-orders on June 25, 2025—but that date came and went without a trailer. Instead, Rockstar released new screenshots.
The absence of a third trailer, combined with the PlayStation-only affiliate links, has intensified speculation about the game's marketing strategy and platform prioritization.
This article reflects information available as of the date of publication. Pre-order figures remain unconfirmed by official sources from either Sony, Microsoft, or Rockstar Games.