GTA 6 Release Could Cost Israel Millions in Lost Productivity
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
The release of Grand Theft Auto VI on Thursday, November 19, is expected to cost the Israeli economy between 75 and 170 million shekels due to an estimated 42,000 to 95,000 workers taking time off. This is partly due to Israel's work week ending on Thursday, allowing for a three-day gaming period. Similar productivity losses are predicted in the US and UK, with some companies offering paid leave to employees.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- GTA 6 release on Nov 19 could cost Israel 75-170 million shekels in lost productivity.
- 42,000 to 95,000 Israelis, or 1-2.1% of the workforce, may skip work on release day.
- Israel's Thursday-to-Saturday weekend structure facilitates a three-day gaming period.
- Young adults, tech workers, and students are expected to be most affected in Israel.
- Global economic losses are estimated at $1 billion in the US and £403.5 million in the UK.
- Logitech is giving its 7,000 global employees a paid day off for the release.
The highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) on Thursday, November 19, is projected to cause a significant economic impact in Israel, with potential losses ranging from 75 to 170 million shekels in daily output. Analysts estimate that between 42,000 and 95,000 Israelis, or 1% to 2.1% of the total workforce, may not report to work on release day.
This phenomenon is amplified in Israel due to its work week structure, where Thursday is the final workday. This allows employees to take just one day off, such as vacation or sick leave, to enjoy a continuous three-day gaming marathon from Thursday through Saturday. The most significant impact is expected among young adults aged 22 to 35, including recent army veterans, students, and professionals in the high-tech and business services sectors, who often have flexible schedules and accumulated leave.
Similar "gaming absenteeism" is anticipated globally. In the United States, approximately 1.5 million people are expected to miss work, costing the economy around $1 billion. In the UK, an estimated 2.56 million workers may be absent, resulting in economic losses of approximately £403.5 million. HR platforms have already reported a substantial increase in approved leave requests for November 19.
Some international companies are embracing the trend. Logitech has announced a paid day off for its 7,000 global employees on the release date, while Worldworthy is offering staff up to three paid leave days. The development and marketing budget for GTA 6 is estimated to exceed $2 billion, with its predecessor, GTA 5, having generated around $8.5 billion and sold over 200 million copies.