GTA 6: Everything We Know About The Rockstar Games Sequel
After over ten years, Rockstar Games is set to release a sequel to the highly successful Grand Theft Auto 5. GTA 5 sold over 190 million copies across multiple generations. President Sam Houser announced that they will release the first trailer for the game in December as part of the company’s 25th-anniversary celebrations.
Over the past 25 years, the franchise has shipped more than 405 million units. Their video games have consistently ranked among the greatest and best-selling video games.
Although the game has no official title yet, we can expect it to be named Grand Theft Auto 6. Despite a significant leak in 2022 exposing some details, Rockstar remains committed to secrecy.
The announcement of GTA 6 sparked immense excitement among fans. They eagerly anticipate the follow-up after almost a decade of circulating rumors. Here’s everything we know about Grand Theft Auto 6 so far.
Are the new GTA 6 leaks real?
An unprecedented GTA 6 leak occurred on September 18, 2022. This breach included over 90 videos and screenshots from an early stage of GTA 6 development.
Rockstar later confirmed the security breach: “We recently suffered a network intrusion in which an unauthorized third party illegally accessed and downloaded confidential information from our systems, including early development footage for the next Grand Theft Auto. We are extremely disappointed to have any details of our next game shared with you all in this way.”
GTA Forums and the dedicated GTA 6 Reddit worked to remove illegally obtained materials to avoid potential repercussions from Rockstar.
CEO of GTA publisher Take-Two Interactive, Strauss Zelnick, called the leak “terribly unfortunate” in a recent earnings call. He clarified that no evidence suggested the theft of material assets, emphasizing that the leak wouldn’t influence development.
The leaked material offered a preliminary glimpse into potential storylines, characters, and locations. Despite Rockstar’s clarification that the gameplay seen was in its early stages, the footage indicated a modern-day Vice City setting. It also portrays player characters, Jason and Lucia, entering a strip club and robbing a diner. Keeping this in view, we can expect a collaborative Bonnie and Clyde-style narrative for the main protagonists.
Why has GTA 6 taken so long?
Given the immense success of both GTA 5 and GTA Online, coupled with the ambitious scope of Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s understandable that Rockstar is being deliberate in its approach.
GTA 5 has enjoyed continued success over the past nine years, receiving updates and re-releases. Thus, Rockstar seems to be taking its time to ensure a similarly impactful and enduring experience with the next installment.
Before GTA 5’s release in 2013, the most extended wait for a main series Grand Theft Auto game was five years. Some fans attribute the long development time to Rockstar’s focus on GTA Online. GTA Online is the multiplayer version that receives frequent updates and generates significant revenue for the company annually.
Rockstar's tendency to take their time can be because of the high expectations of fans who want something new with each game. Take-Two Interactive has patented new “locomotive technology” to enhance character animations’ realism in GTA 6.
What is the GTA 6 Release Date?
Rockstar Games has not officially confirmed the release date for GTA 6. However, various speculations and rumors have been circulating online. Multiple sources have suggested that GTA 6 might be released in 2025.
There are hints from Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive. In August, Take-Two told investors about a "significant inflection point" in its 2025 fiscal year. Considering this, we can safely assume that GTA 6 might be released between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
A Bloomberg article, citing current and former Rockstar staff, initially indicated a two-year wait from the time of the article. This points towards a 2024 launch. Microsoft’s response to a UK Competition and Markets Authority investigation into acquiring Activision Blizzard also mentioned, “The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be released in 2024.”
However, Rockstar is known for delaying its significant releases to ensure polish. Red Dead Redemption 2 faced three public delays. Grand Theft Auto 5 in 2013 also experienced a significant delay from its initial spring release date to its eventual launch in September of the same year. Therefore, even if Rockstar provides a release window by the end of 2023, past experiences suggest it may be flexible.
What is the GTA 6 Location?
Rockstar has confirmed the speculated location for GTA 6, and it appears the game will indeed take place in Vice City. They verified the authenticity of leaked GTA 6 gameplay footage, providing a glimpse into the city and its setting. Notable features include an underground rail system labeled “Vice City Metro” and recognizable locations from GTA 3: Vice City, such as the Malibu Club, Ocean View Hotel, Little Haiti, and Vice Beach.
Despite the familiarity, the city has changed the events of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in 1986. The setting for GTA 6 is modern-day, evident from NPCs using smartphones and wearing contemporary clothing. Social media users have also pointed out a character’s reference to the death of the LifeInvader CEO, killed by Michael De Santa in GTA 5. This suggests that GTA 6 takes place after the events of its predecessor.
What is the GTA 6 map?
The final map for GTA 6 has not been officially revealed. However, the leaked videos and screenshots suggest an expansive play area that extends beyond the boundaries of Vice City. Similar to Rockstar’s expansion of Los Santos between Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and GTA 5, some leaked screenshots hint at new areas within Vice City. As suggested by speculations, Vice City, loosely based on Miami, may be expanded further south toward the Everglades and the Florida Keys.
Despite never being shown in-game, the “Gator Keys” reference in the original Vice City radio broadcast adds to the speculation. If the leaked screenshots indicate what fans suspect, the GTA 6 map could encompass a variety of environmental types. These could potentially include wetlands and tropical islands.
Fans are particularly intrigued by the possibility of a significantly larger GTA 6 map than GTA 5. Utilizing leaked coordinates, enthusiasts on the GTA 6 subreddit are attempting to map out the game world. Some have even taken the initiative to stitch together a speculative GTA 6 map using Google Earth and Paint.
What do we know about the GTA 6 characters?
Reports and rumors provide some insights into what might be expected regarding storytelling. According to a Bloomberg report by Jason Schreier, GTA 6 is rumored to feature the series’ first female protagonist. It revolves around a pair of characters inspired by the American criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde. This aligns with leaked gameplay footage showing two male and female protagonists.
The Bloomberg report delves into Rockstar’s efforts to transform its workplace culture. It highlights the company’s shift toward a more inclusive and progressive environment. As part of these changes, GTA 6 is said to introduce a female Latina protagonist, marking the first playable woman in modern Rockstar history. The specifics of the second leading character and the nature of their relationship remain unclear.
The leaked clips showcase a character-switching system reminiscent of GTA 5. Players can control one character while the other operates under AI. In one clip, both characters collaborate to rob a diner, with the player taking control of one character. Another clip reveals a near-instantaneous character swap, differing from the slower perspective shift seen in GTA 5.
What will the GTA 6 Gameplay be like?
Rockstar has not yet released a GTA 6 trailer, so it’s challenging to definitively describe the gameplay and innovations compared to Grand Theft Auto 5. However, early development footage that leaked provides insights into Rockstar’s exploration and playtesting of new mechanics. Notably, there are indications of the introduction of stealth mechanics, as the footage shows characters crawling while prone and carrying bodies.
Moreover, the leaked material suggests the return of the weapon wheel, which underwent an overhaul in GTA 5. Additionally, Rockstar appears to be introducing new health-boosting items like painkillers. The Five Star ‘Wanted’ system is making a comeback, and there are improvements to the VCPD’s AI routines for tracking characters like Jason and Lucia once they are on the radar.
There’s a lot to look forward to with this upcoming banger video game. So stay connected as we get more details regarding this game!