A year ago, the first trailer for GTA 6 sparked massive excitement among fans, but since then, Rockstar Games has remained mostly silent. It’s been over ten years since the last GTA release, and even GTA Online—which has been a staple for many players—has started to show its age. As technology evolves, the community is eager to find out: What can we truly expect from GTA 6?
The game is still under development, and according to an ex-developer, it could be a game-changer in terms of realism. The initial trailer revealed a vibrant city with stunning graphics and characters that tackle the complexities of modern America, all while staying true to the series’ roots. While details remain scarce, a leak has given us a closer look at key elements like the characters Lucia and Jason, as well as the return to Vice City.
At a May 2024 investor conference, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar Games’ parent company), confirmed a release window for GTA 6: “We are targeting a release in the fall of 2025, refining the previously mentioned period. We have complete confidence in Rockstar’s ability to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. Our commercial expectations for this title continue to grow.”
Good news for fans: during a November 6th investor call, Take-Two reaffirmed that GTA 6 is still on track for its fall 2025 release. Other titles, like Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country, were also mentioned, but unless there is a major unforeseen delay, the release date should remain as planned
The GTA 6 trailer was released earlier than expected, originally scheduled for December 5, 2023. Why the surprise? A leak, of course. This exclusive video reveals that, for the first time, players will control two main characters:
This marks a significant change for the franchise, as GTA has never allowed players to control a heroine or a duo. Until now, players have always taken on the role of a single protagonist, or three in the case of GTA 5.
For more details, check out sources from Techopedia, Beebom and TechRadar.
The trailer reveals that GTA 6 takes us back to Vice City, but this time, it’s not the 80s as seen in GTA: Vice City. The action is set in the present day, with nods to social media and modern-day issues. The environments are rich in detail, ranging from the lively downtown streets to the suburbs, beaches, and swamps. One thing is certain: the game map is expected to be massive, providing players with a vast playground in this expansive sandbox
As stated at the end of the trailer, GTA 6 will be a PS5 and Xbox Series X/S exclusive. It makes sense that PS4 and Xbox One versions are being left out to avoid the issues faced during the launch of Cyberpunk 2077 on older consoles.
However, the absence of a PC version raises questions. Remember that Red Dead Redemption 2 came to PC just two weeks later. It’s possible that GTA 6 will follow a similar path, with a slight delay before its release on this platform. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait as long as we did for the first Red Dead Redemption, which took ten years to arrive on PC.
For the skeptics, the power of the Xbox Series S should not impact the graphics or performance of GTA 6, according to Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two. In an investor conference, he explained that the company “follows all the platforms where consumers are,” regardless of their power, and that he is “not worried” because Rockstar’s teams are particularly skilled.
As for the Nintendo Switch 2, it would be wise not to expect too much. Although the console can partially run the Unreal Engine 5 graphics engine, it seems unlikely that Rockstar will release a version of GTA 6 for such a limited machine.
So far, no leaks have revealed concrete details, but we can expect to see the trademark elements of the franchise: driving, gunfights, and a ton of various activities. The trailer already features heists, car chases, and wild parties. Some rumors even suggest the return of mini-games, with a possible revival of the basketball from GTA: San Andreas.
It’s also likely that players will be able to switch between first and third-person perspectives, like in GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. Most importantly, we hope that interactions with characters will be richer, as the trailer shows us an incredibly lively environment.
With an immense map of Vice City, we can expect a plethora of side activities and distractions. Each installment in the series always pushes the boundaries further in this regard, and GTA 6 should be no exception.
GTA Online, which finally benefits from the features of the PS5 and Xbox Series versions, has been the true backbone of GTA 5, keeping it relevant for a decade and continuing to attract players. Rockstar Games has, of course, profited from this mode, and there’s no doubt that GTA 6 will have its own online mode.
However, it remains uncertain whether this mode will be integrated from the launch. According to leaker Tez, GTA 6 might not have dedicated servers: “A few years ago, Take-Two rejected this option, as it was deemed too expensive.”
We will also have to wait to see if GTA Online will be available at launch or will arrive later. For reference, GTA 5 saw its online mode release a month after the game’s launch, while Red Dead Online waited seven months. It’s possible that Rockstar will choose to let players enjoy the campaign first before diving into the online experience.
As expected, GTA 6 is not yet available for pre-order. Reservations are likely to open only a few months before the official release, at least in theory. Of course, this information should be taken with caution, but don’t worry: we will keep you updated as soon as pre-orders are launched.