When is GTA 6 Coming Out?
Everyone’s been asking: ‘When is GTA 6 coming out?’ After years of anticipation, Rockstar Games is finally gearing up to deliver another groundbreaking open-world experience, following in the colossal footsteps of GTA 5. While Rockstar usually keeps development under wraps, parent company Take-Two has now provided concrete details on when we can expect this highly anticipated title. We’ve seen a long road of rumors, speculation, and even significant gameplay leaks last year, revealing early development footage and source code. But now, the wait is almost over. We have official confirmations regarding the GTA 6 release date, its intriguing story, and its iconic setting. Here’s a comprehensive look at all the latest GTA 6 news, trailers, and essential information.
GTA 6 Release Date
Mark your calendars! The official launch for GTA 6 is set for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. PC players, don’t worry – a PC version is expected to follow later that year.
Interestingly, the game will implement a staggered release, becoming available at midnight in each respective time zone. This means players in New Zealand will be among the first to jump into Vice City, with other regions following suit as their clocks strike twelve. If you’re eager to secure your copy, GTA 6 is currently available for wishlisting on both Xbox and PlayStation digital stores. A PC version is anticipated to hit digital storefronts sometime after the console debut, so keep an eye out for updates if you’re a Steam enthusiast.
GTA 6 PC Release Window
For PC gamers, the wait might be a little longer. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has indicated that Rockstar will follow its established pattern for platform releases. Historically, this suggests that the PC version of GTA 6 will likely launch between six months to a year after its console counterpart, with more specific announcements coming closer to the time.
Will GTA 6 Be Delayed?
Despite previous rumors of further delays, it seems the May 2026 release date is holding firm. Speculation arose from gaming insiders like Tom Henderson, suggesting a potential slip, with some leakers even hinting at “development hell” for certain game chapters. However, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has expressed “very, very high” confidence in meeting the May 2026 target during recent earnings calls and interviews.
This is a welcome relief for fans, especially after Rockstar Games announced an initial delay earlier this year. The studio publicly apologized for the setback, explaining that the extra time was crucial to “deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.” Take-Two fully supported this decision, emphasizing the importance of realizing Rockstar’s creative vision. Originally, GTA 6 was slated for a 2025 console release, a timeframe first revealed during Take-Two’s fiscal year 2024 earnings call and reiterated by Rockstar founder Sam Houser, who expressed excitement about pushing the boundaries of immersive, story-driven open-world experiences. The May 2026 date is understood to be for consoles, with the PC launch expected later in that year.
How Much Will GTA 6 Cost?
While an official price for GTA 6 hasn’t been announced, Take-Two’s Strauss Zelnick has promised a “fair” price, emphasizing their commitment to delivering exceptional value. However, with many publishers now considering an $80 price point for new titles, and industry analyst Matthew Ball even forecasting a potential $100 tag in “The State of Video Gaming in 2025” report, a premium price is certainly within the realm of possibility, especially for deluxe and collector’s editions. The immense anticipation for GTA 6 is already evident: Take-Two’s stock saw a significant boost following the initial launch announcement, and analysts predict over $1 billion in pre-order sales alone. This financial powerhouse is set to play a crucial role in Take-Two achieving its ambitious targets for net bookings and operating cash flow.
Will GTA 6 Be on Game Pass?
Don’t expect GTA 6 to be a day-one Game Pass title, for either console or PC. Strauss Zelnick explicitly stated that a day-one launch on Microsoft’s subscription service is not in the cards. Furthermore, ongoing rumors of a marketing exclusivity deal between Rockstar and Sony gained traction with the release of the second trailer. This trailer, notably captured on PS5, even featured a DualShock-like controller, suggesting that Rockstar isn’t currently planning to embrace Xbox Game Pass for its initial release.
GTA 6 Trailers
The highly anticipated GTA 6 Trailer 2 arrived on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, shortly after the release date was confirmed. It offered our first deeper look at the dual protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, as they reunite after Lucia’s prison release. Their journey unfolds as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde saga, filled with thrilling crime sprees across Vice City, all set to an electrifying soundtrack.
The second trailer’s description provides a captivating overview of the GTA 6 narrative: “Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida – forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.”
The very first GTA 6 trailer made an unexpected early debut on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, pushed forward due to widespread leaks. This 91-second teaser confirmed the long-rumored return to Vice City, showcasing iconic locations like the Malibu Club and Ocean Drive. While there was much buzz about a potential surprise appearance at Gamescom 2025, possibly with another trailer, this proved unlikely. Rockstar’s presence at such events often involves behind-the-scenes meetings, not public reveals, though a subtle reference to GTA 6 did make its way into “The Outer Worlds 2” trailer.
Major GTA 6 Leaks and Rumors
Following the release of the second trailer, a new wave of leaks surfaced from sources like GameRoll, offering tantalizing, though unverified, details. These suggest GTA 6’s story will span five chapters, with Trailer 2’s cutscenes only covering the first three. Players might see the return of the challenging six-star wanted level and a more realistic limited carry capacity, with car trunks acting as mobile storage – a detail seemingly supported by repeated shots in the trailers.
Intriguingly, Rockstar appears to be drawing inspiration from “Red Dead Redemption 2,” potentially implementing an honor-based relationship system and a “dead-eye” ability for Jason and Lucia, offering diverse strategic options. It’s also rumored that players can switch between controlling each protagonist individually or, in certain scenarios, control both simultaneously.
Of course, the most significant breach in history occurred in September 2022, when 90 videos comprising over 53 minutes of test footage were leaked. This early footage confirmed the dual-protagonist setup (a male and female character) previously reported by Bloomberg. Iconic clips included Lucia and Jason orchestrating a diner robbery reminiscent of “Pulp Fiction,” and scenes of Lucia observing street life while Jason explored a nightclub. The individual responsible for this massive leak was subsequently arrested.
More recently, just before the official release of the first trailer, a TikTok leak offered a brief look at the map, though it was quickly overshadowed when the trailer itself leaked on X/Twitter. Rockstar swiftly responded by officially releasing the trailer ahead of schedule, urging fans to “watch the real thing.”
Latest GTA 6 Development News
Even after the significant game footage leak, Rockstar maintained that development on “the next Grand Theft Auto will continue as planned,” expressing disappointment but unwavering commitment. The studio officially confirmed “active development” for the next GTA installment in a February 4, 2022, community update, noting that resources were being shifted from “Red Dead Online” to focus on the new project.
Insights from former Rockstar environmental artist David O’Reilly reveal he contributed to GTA 6 for five years before leaving in 2023, suggesting a total development timeline of about eight years. While an unverified leak claims the game will offer around 75 hours of gameplay, split across five chapters and a prologue, Take-Two’s Strauss Zelnick previously hinted in 2019 that improved development tools and larger teams could lead to shorter gaps between releases and potentially “a bit shorter” base games, heavily supported by post-launch content.
This strategy aligns with efforts to mitigate “crunch time” – a persistent issue in the gaming industry. Reports from Kotaku in 2020 suggested Rockstar’s plan for the next GTA involves a “moderately sized release” (still large by their standards) that would be progressively expanded through regular updates, aiming to alleviate developer stress.
Unpacking the GTA 6 Story
The narrative direction for GTA 6 is set to be fresh, notably with Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser stepping back from writing duties. Houser, who penned the stories for the last ten or eleven GTA titles, believes the series is ready for new voices, signaling a potential shift in the game’s tone and character development.
The initial trailer provided concrete evidence that GTA 6 is firmly rooted in modern-day Vice City, a departure from the 80s setting of its predecessor. The world is vibrantly brought to life through exaggerated social media snapshots of Floridian life: from alligator-wrangling to bizarre roadside incidents and even a woman defending her turf with two hammers. It’s Rockstar’s signature satirical take on Miami culture, amplified.
We were properly introduced to Lucia, one of GTA 6’s two main protagonists, seen in prison garb discussing her incarceration – “Bad luck, I guess,” she shrugs. Her story promises to be a deep dive into her life of crime. Jason, the second protagonist and Lucia’s partner-in-crime, also appears, though seemingly less prominent. Their relationship, both intimate and professional, will be a central theme, with Lucia emphasizing, “The only way that we get through this is by sticking together. Being a team.” This bond is showcased in high-octane escape scenes and armed robberies, hinting at a thrilling crime spree you won’t want to miss.
Trailer 2 expanded on the cast, introducing colorful characters like conspiracy theorist Cal Hampton, club legend and drug lord Boobie Ike, and the viral rap duo Real Dimez, each with their own agendas intertwining with Jason and Lucia’s journey.
Beyond the core story, there’s buzz about celebrity appearances. John Cena hinted at involvement with a cryptic Instagram post, suggesting he might pop up in Vice City. Additionally, rapper Skrilla claimed his viral hit “Doot Doot (6 7)” will be featured on the soundtrack, alongside rumors of collaborations with Floridian artists DJ Khaled and Pitbull, further immersing players in the game’s vibrant, contemporary atmosphere.
Exploring GTA 6 Gameplay
While early leaked footage didn’t reveal drastic changes from GTA 5’s core mechanics, former Rockstar developer Obbe Vermeij suggested that some players “might be a little disappointed,” though he affirmed it would still “be the best game out there.”
Regarding the GTA 6 map, fan calculations based on leaks hint that this rendition of Vice City and its surrounding areas could be twice the size of GTA 5’s Los Santos. Interestingly, another former developer has argued for a smaller, more densely packed map. Regardless, modders have already begun recreating the leaked GTA 6 map within GTA 5’s engine, giving a tangible sense of its immense scale.
Rumors also indicate an “evolving map” concept for both the main campaign and the new GTA Online mode, with regular updates introducing new areas or themes. Players can expect a diverse range of drivable vehicles, from classic cars to boats, along with public transportation options for fast travel. A noteworthy detail from leaks suggests enhanced vehicle customization, allowing players to adjust wheel positions and chair angles. Ex-Rockstar developer Ben Hinchcliffe assures that player freedom and the ability to engage in “weird things” will remain a core gameplay tenet.
Test footage showcased refined movement mechanics, including a comprehensive cover system, crouching, and crawling. Characters can also use their hands or weapons to shield against headshots. One intriguing clip showed Jason utilizing a new “vision ability” in a convenience store, reminiscent of Red Dead Redemption’s Dead Eye, though its full function remains to be seen.
A recent report sparked excitement about a potential “GTA 6 metaverse,” akin to popular titles like “Fortnite” and “Roblox.” This would heavily feature user-generated content, empowering creators to customize game environments and introduce their own intellectual properties and even brand sponsorships. This aligns with rumors that Rockstar has been engaging with creators from “Roblox” and “Fortnite” to explore in-game custom content possibilities for GTA 6.
That wraps up our current dive into the GTA 6 universe. The wait for this monumental sequel continues, but the revelations so far paint a picture of an ambitious and immersive experience. In the meantime, you can explore fan-made parodies like “Grand Taking Ages” or even check out predicted system requirements to see if your rig is ready for Vice City’s return.