Financial Influencer Claims Buying GTA 6 Can Save Players Money

British entrepreneur and financial influencer Mark Tilbury has shared an unconventional argument suggesting that purchasing Grand Theft Auto VI could ultimately save players thousands of dollars in entertainment costs. In a video released on October 31, Tilbury broke down the hourly cost of the highly anticipated video game compared to traditional nights out, capturing the attention of millions of viewers across social media.

Tilbury based his lighthearted calculations on the game's Ultimate Edition, which costs $99.99, and estimated that the main story would take roughly 80 hours to complete. That breakdown equates to about $1.25 per hour of entertainment. Furthermore, he noted that factoring in side missions and map exploration could push total playtime to 200 hours, lowering the cost to approximately 50 cents per hour.

To reach his headline-grabbing figure of $5,000 in potential savings, the financial educator proposed a hypothetical scenario where a player spends four hours at home gaming every evening instead of going out. According to Tilbury, that equates to 50 nights of entertainment at home compared to spending $100 on a single night out on the town.

While the calculation is clearly tongue-in-cheek and not meant as serious financial guidance, it struck a chord with gamers eagerly awaiting the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The video quickly surpassed two million views, sparking amusement and plenty of jokes among viewers who appreciated the creative justification for their favorite hobby.

Not everyone was entirely convinced by the math, however. Several commenters pointed out the flaws in assuming that the average person routinely spends $100 every single night they go out, meaning the calculated savings remain largely hypothetical rather than realistic.

Tilbury is widely known for creating content focused on frugal living and financial tips. Despite his status as a millionaire, he frequently shares habits like reusing old cups, flying economy, wearing a repeating rotation of clothes, and avoiding luxury hotels.

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for its official release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Whether the game actually serves as a practical budgeting tool or simply provides a funny excuse to stay home, Tilbury has successfully added a unique perspective to the ongoing discussions surrounding video game pricing and value.