Research: Gamers could earn £293 with unused consoles
October 8, 2026



Gamers could earn an estimated £293 (€345) with their unused consoles, as research from Virgin Media O2 finds nearly half (48 per cent) want to upgrade to a newer or more powerful gaming system to get the best possible experience from Grand Theft Auto VI.

With the launch of the highly anticipated game on the horizon (November 19th), players expect to spend an average of £195 to level up their gaming set–up before it’s released. However, for many that upgrade feels out of reach, as more than four in ten (44 per cent) say they would like a more powerful console to play the game but can’t afford one.


With gamers ready to immerse themselves in the game, many are prepared to cut back their spending to fund tech upgrades. More than one in five (22 per cent) would ditch takeaways or cut back on nights out (21 per cent), while 19 per cent would take on extra work or overtime, 16 per cent would eat cheaper meals and 13 per cent would buy cheaper Christmas presents.

But gamers may not need to look far to find extra cash, with Virgin Media O2’s research revealing a wealth of old gaming tech sitting unused at home.

Research estimates gamers are sitting on almost seven unused consoles on average, which could unlock approximately £293 through O2 Recycle – almost £100 more than gamers currently expect to spend preparing for GTA VI, putting a more expensive upgrade within reach.

More than half (52 per cent) say they would rather trade in old gaming tech than cut back on everyday spending to afford an upgrade, and some devices could make a sizeable dent in the cost.

O2 Recycle is open to anyone, regardless of their mobile network. Trade-in values vary depending on the console’s model and condition. Devices are either repaired, refurbished and resold, or responsibly recycled when they cannot be reused, with zero parts going to landfill.

Game on for GTA VI

The research also lays bare the fever pitch of anticipation gamers are feeling. Almost half (46 per cent) say they are more excited for the game’s release than Christmas, and nearly a third (31 per cent) plan to start playing as soon as it launches.

One in five (20 per cent) intend to stay up until midnight to get started, 18 per cent will order a takeaway so they do not have to stop playing to cook, and 13 per cent say they will secretly finish work early. Others are clearing their diaries altogether, with one in ten (10 per cent) planning to take annual leave and 11 per cent prepared to cancel plans with friends or loved ones.

Those playing over the first weekend expect to spend almost 12 hours on the game on average.

Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, commented: “GTA VI is set to be one of the biggest gaming and cultural moments in years, and many players will want the latest tech to experience it at its best. With gamers anticipating they’ll need to spend almost £200 between now and November preparing for the launch, the cost of upgrading can quickly add up. But many could also be sitting on old consoles worth enough to make a real difference. Through O2 Recycle, gamers can turn unused tech into cash towards an upgrade, rather than leaving valuable devices tucked away at home or going to waste.”