It’s hard to believe, but over ten years have passed since the release of the last installment in the Grand Theft Auto series. While players continue to immerse themselves in GTA Online, anticipation has been mounting for a long-awaited announcement from Rockstar about the next game in the franchise. Despite various rumors and leaks, the developers held firm until the latter part of 2023. With the game officially confirmed, we now have plenty to discuss regarding what Grand Theft Auto 6 will bring to the table. Prepare for a game that promises to be a defining title of this generation and perhaps the most eagerly awaited release on the horizon. So, let’s rev up and dive into all the details about GTA 6.
GTA 6 Release Date
Reports indicate that GTA 6 is expected to launch in the fall of 2025. Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games’ parent company, confirmed this timeframe during a May 2024 earnings call.
“We have narrowed the previous window of calendar 2025 to just the fall for Grand Theft Auto VI. We feel exceptionally confident that Rockstar Games will deliver an unparalleled entertainment experience, and we believe the commercial impact of the title will be significant,” Zelnick stated in a press announcement discussing the company’s outlook for fiscal year 2025.
During a CNBC interview in November 2024, Zelnick reiterated the planned release window for GTA 6, mentioning, “The gaming industry does experience delays, and we’re not exempt from that. Nevertheless, we are quite confident about this timeline.” While unforeseen issues could lead to a postponement, everything seems to be on track for a fall 2025 release.
GTA 6 Trailer
The trailer for GTA 6 was set to release on December 5, 2023, but it surfaced a day early due to an online leak. Regardless, we finally got an exciting glimpse of the game’s world and characters.
This time around, the protagonists of GTA 6 will be a duo rather than the traditional single hero or trio. One of them is named Lucia, who hints at a tumultuous past, as seen in a prison uniform during her introduction in the trailer. The other character, whose name is yet to be revealed, seems to be her partner in both crime and possibly romance.
The setting is crucial in any GTA title, and for this edition, Rockstar is reviving Vice City. Fans can look forward to exploring it through a contemporary lens, unlike the late 1980s perspective of previous games. The trailer tantalizingly showcases various landscapes, from idyllic beaches to vibrant city streets, as well as more suburban and swampy areas.
GTA 6 Platforms
Currently, GTA 6 is confirmed for launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. There will not be a release for previous-generation consoles or the Nintendo Switch. Fans are curious about a potential PC version since GTA 5 saw a two-year gap before it made its way to that platform, while Red Dead Redemption 2 launched on PC about two weeks after consoles. There’s a chance that a PC version might arrive later, but this could disappoint PC gamers who are eager to play.
GTA 6 Gameplay
The trailer offered a cinematic experience without revealing actual gameplay mechanics, but it does give us hints about what to expect.
For starters, you can anticipate the game to include an abundance of action, featuring shooting, driving, and a variety of criminal endeavors. The trailer depicted heists, high-speed chases, and vibrant nightlife. Additionally, we suspect GTA 6 will maintain the ability to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, a feature that debuted in GTA 5 and was present at launch in Red Dead Redemption 2.
The trailer’s snippets indicate a richer world than ever before, filled with unique, lively NPCs that enhance immersion. Besides conventional interactions like shooting or running over characters, players can hope for a range of new engagement options with the game’s residents.
With a vast environment to explore, players can expect a plethora of side quests, minigames, and activities that can easily consume hours of gameplay. Given the trend in previous titles to introduce an array of extras, GTA 6 will likely follow suit and deliver even more engaging content.
Will GTA 6 Include GTA Online?
A significant evolution that came with GTA V was the introduction of GTA Online, a mode that has drawn millions of players over the years and turned into an essential part of the game. While the base game is remarkable on its own, GTA Online has kept GTA V relevant for nearly a decade.
With this in mind, it’s almost certain that GTA 6 will incorporate some form of multiplayer functionality. Whether it will be a fully online experience or a distinct multiplayer mode akin to its predecessor is still unclear, but a multiplayer component is virtually guaranteed.
Given the remarkable success of GTA Online, it’s likely that Rockstar won’t completely eliminate multiplayer from the next installment. However, sources suggest that GTA 6’s version of GTA Online may not utilize dedicated servers, as insider Tez has mentioned that Take-Two rejected plans for dedicated servers due to cost concerns.
The remaining question is whether the new iteration of GTA Online will be available at launch or released afterward. In previous titles, GTA Online launched almost a month after GTA 5, and Red Dead Online took nearly seven months. Although we don’t expect this to be the case for GTA 6, Rockstar may choose to allow players some time to delve into the main game before introducing the online feature. This could also serve as a strategic move to regain media attention.
Preordering GTA 6
As you might expect, preorders for GTA 6 are not yet available. Since the game is not slated for release before 2025, we probably won’t see any preorder details until that timeframe is more solidified. It’s possible it could be delayed even further if complications arise. Rest assured, we’ll keep you updated with any preorder information once it becomes available.
