With the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 scheduled for November 19, 2026, medical experts are urging players to take care of their health during extended gaming sessions. As excitement surrounding Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated title reaches unprecedented levels, specialists stress that the greatest risk comes not from the game itself, but from the lifestyle habits often associated with major game launches.

Industry analysts expect GTA 6 to become one of the biggest entertainment launches in history. More than 45 million copies are projected to be sold shortly after release, while pre-orders alone could reportedly generate over $1 billion within the first hour. The anticipation has become so intense that some companies are reportedly planning to close their offices on launch day due to a surge in employee vacation requests.

However, medical expert Annelise Caden, writing in a report for Feel30, warns that prolonged gaming marathons may negatively affect players’ health, particularly men. According to the report, the issue is not the video game itself but the combination of unhealthy habits that often accompany long gaming sessions.

Among the primary risk factors are chronic sleep deprivation, staying up late, frequent consumption of fast food, excessive intake of energy drinks, lack of physical activity, and spending extended periods indoors. Together, these lifestyle factors may contribute to reduced testosterone production and negatively impact overall well-being.

The report emphasizes that a few days of intensive gaming are unlikely to cause lasting health problems. Nevertheless, experts encourage players to take regular breaks, maintain healthy sleep habits, stay physically active, eat balanced meals, and remain properly hydrated during extended play sessions.

While GTA 6 is expected to become one of the largest game launches ever, health professionals remind players that no release is worth sacrificing their well-being.