A US Army battalion is offering soldiers four days off to play GTA 6 if they re-enlist before November 14, according to a memo circulating online. The incentive, reportedly posted at the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion in Fort Stewart, Georgia, is designed to boost retention and morale.
Details of the incentive
The memo, shared on the Instagram account US Army WTF Moments, is signed by Lt. Col. Ryan D. Hodgson and describes an 'incentive programme to promote retention, boost morale, and reward the continued dedication of the soldiers within the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion.' The time off is expressly meant to coincide with the launch of GTA 6.
Kotaku corroborated several details, including the commander's name and communication numbers, though some skepticism remains about the memo's authenticity. Critics point to the use of the Department of Defense logo instead of the rebranded Department of War, but others note the old name is still in use on some government websites.
Precedents and context
Similar incentives have been seen before. One Reddit user claims that during the launch of GTA 4 in 2008, nearly their entire regiment got the day off to buy the game. Japanese developers have also closed offices for major releases, and Dragon Quest launches historically led to school absences in Japan.
GTA 6's hype is unprecedented, with pre-order figures described as 'unprecedented and astonishing.' The game is estimated to generate $5.2 billion (about £3.8 billion) in its first week, roughly half of GTA 5's lifetime earnings over 13 years. Businesses may find themselves short-staffed in the days following launch.
