BOSSES fear a business slump as tens of thousands of staff take annual leave to play the new Grand Theft Auto VI.
Experts say the launch on November 19 — 13 years after the last game’s release — has sparked a surge in requests for days off and could cost firms £12million.
Staff absence tracker BrightHR revealed 83,000 days have been booked off for -related reasons this month and next.
The projected cost to firms on the launch day alone is £3.14million.
Some 4.63 per cent of time off requests for that day mention GTA as a reason.
Many fans have even threatened to quit if they are not given the time off by bosses.
The findings were taken from absence data from more than 1.2million employees at 70,000 UK .
More than twice as many people have booked launch day off compared to those who will be away on a honeymoon.
One die-hard gamer has gone full throttle, saving up enough annual leave to disappear for a whole fortnight in a bid to complete the game.
The last full game in the action-adventure series, Grand Theft Auto V, was released on September 17, 2013.
BrightHR boss Alan Price said: “This launch is going to cost businesses more than £12million, which is a big loss in a short space of time.
“Some bosses might roll their eyes at taking time off work to game, but it is every bit as valid as booking annual leave to attend a football match, concert or hen do. Fans have waited 13 years for this.”
Time off requests have included: “GTA — week on the sofa in my pants”, “GTA Release — I’ll resign if this is denied”, and “GTA day. Game on, losers”.
GTA, published by Rockstar Games , is one of the biggest-selling video games of all time.
The newest release is said to be the most expensive ever, costing as much as £1.12billion ($1.5billion) to make.
and tech expert at AO.com, Nick Bunce, said: “It’s rare for a game launch to generate this level of anticipation.
“A lot of fans want to experience it from day one. It’s shaping up to be one of those cultural moments.”
