GTA VI Pre-Downloads Cause Internet Traffic Spike in Norway
Grand Theft Auto VI became available for pre-download at midnight, causing internet traffic to spike in Norway and other regions as players prepared for the game’s official release on November 19.
The highly anticipated title, developed by Rockstar Games, represents the first entry in the series in 13 years. According to Tek.no, the game requires a substantial 210 gigabytes of storage space. Jakob Dirksen, chief operating officer at GlobalConnect, said that a single download of this size is equivalent to approximately 50 to 100 hours of standard video streaming.
Network Traffic Increased Following the Midnight Launch
Telenor reported a 10 percent increase in network traffic immediately following the midnight launch. This demand intensified during the early morning hours, with traffic between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. measuring 40 percent higher than normal levels, according to information manager Vetle Andersen. Despite the heavy load, Telenor said that the traffic was well-distributed and manageable due to the low baseline usage during those hours.
The scale of the launch has drawn scrutiny regarding hardware limitations. Writing for Gamer.no, a commentator said that the 212-gigabyte requirement limits available space on PlayStation 5 consoles, which have a total storage capacity of 825 gigabytes. After accounting for the system software and existing files, users are left with roughly 600 gigabytes of usable space, meaning the new title will occupy roughly one-third of the console’s available storage.
The outlet said that while some titles, such as the latest Call of Duty, attempt to mitigate storage pressure by allowing players to install separate game components, it is unlikely Rockstar Games will offer the same flexibility for this release.
Financial stakes and historical release
Grand Theft Auto VI has been in development for six years with a reported budget of up to two billion kroner. The game was originally scheduled for release in May but was delayed until November 19. Pre-sales began on June 25, during which the retailer Power reported selling approximately 100 copies per minute, Tek.no reported. The game is priced at 899 kroner, with an "ultimate edition" available for 1189 kroner.
Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has described pre-order levels as "unprecedented." During a quarterly report covering the period ending September 30, 2026, CEO Strauss Zelnick said that the company expects to deliver a "historic year." While the company reported a loss of 54 million dollars for the quarter, with revenues of 1,49 billion dollars, its stock rose nearly 10 percent on Wall Street following the report, according to E24.
Take-Two reiterated its outlook for fiscal year 2027 net bookings of between 8 and 8,2 billion dollars, with Zelnick stating the firm remains confident in its ability to build on what he called "an incredible year."
Soundtrack Features 34 Tracks Including Justice and Tame Impala
The official soundtrack for the game features 34 tracks. The original song "Flower in a Hurricane" was created by the French electronic duo Justice in collaboration with Tame Impala, SZA, and the rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Six other songs have been previously released, including tracks from Travis Scott and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
The game is set in a fictionalized version of Miami known as Vice City and carries an 18-year age rating. Last year, debate editor Oda Rygh questioned who has the time to play such titles, as the industry continues to push the boundaries of storage requirements.