I’m taking a week off to play a video game. I can explain

Résumé détaillé

As gamers count down globally to the end of their 13-year wait for the new version of smash hit Grand Theft Auto, economists predict time off to play it will cost one economy $1.5 billion in a day.

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I am about to take a week off work and escape to a place called Vice City.

When I’ve told colleagues about my plans at the coffee machine or lunch table, the responses have varied. Those in the know have chuckled; those less engaged have said “nice” and moved on, while one person innocently asked if it was in Queensland.

Those who laughed did so because Vice City is the fictional setting – heavily inspired by Miami, Florida – for the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI video game (otherwise known as GTA 6), which is landing on November 19 at midnight AEDT after a 13-year wait.

I admit it, I’m a middle-aged man-child who booked annual leave to play a video game, but I know I won’t be the only one taking this trip. Reports from the US estimate 1.5 million Americans plan to miss work to play the game as soon as it drops. Numerous outlets cited an academic projection from economist José García Montalvo who suggested last year that $US1 billion ($1.47 billion) could be lost from the US economy on release day.

Like most projections, the billion-dollar figure has been contested. But when you consider Sensor Tower estimates, which claim 12.13 million units of the game were pre-sold by November 15 for PlayStation and Xbox worldwide (worth more than $US1.18 billion), it appears many of us will drop tools and grab controllers on Thursday.

Veteran NBA basketballer Steve Adams even joked that performance in US pro sports would drop noticeably from players and coaches until they had all finished the game.

But before you judge us, please, let me explain why GTA means so much.

GTA has followed me through many of the major moments of my adult life. Whether it’s an album, movie or television show, we all have personal cultural touchstones – GTA is one of mine.

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