GTA 6 release date estimate: Gameplay leak & reported story details
Rockstar has finally announced it is working on Grand Theft Auto 6.
The GTA 6 release date is a thing of near-constant discussion. The answer is still no clearer than it has been, unfortunately, but we are slowly learning more details about the much-anticipated sequel.
It's been a whole decade since GTA 5 released and people are starting to grow impatient. Don't stress. The game will launch when it's ready. Rockstar famously takes as long as it takes to release games in the best possible shape.
Thanks to a massive list of supposed 'leaks' and rumours — which have been compiled together on Reddit — there are a lot of claims going around about Grand Theft Auto 6's gameplay, setting, and more. Piece by piece, we're beginning to put a picture together on everything the game might have to offer.
With all of this in mind, it's time to speculate on the Grand Theft Auto release date. Read on to find out everything there is to know about the open-world game, including rumours surrounding its gameplay, setting, playable characters, and more.
GTA 6 release date estimate
The GTA 6 release date is still unknown and is yet to be officially confirmed. Even the Rockstar employees that Bloomberg's Jason Schreier interviewed for his widely-read report on the game couldn't speak to it.
The Bloomberg article notes: "Industry analysts anticipate that the next Grand Theft Auto will be out sometime in Take-Two’s 2024 fiscal year, which runs from April 2023 through March 2024, but developers are skeptical."
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Microsoft has also stated that GTA 6 is expected around this time, with a response to the UK Competition and Markets Authority investigation into its acquisition of Activision Blizzard reading: "The highly-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be released in 2024."
Another rumour, spotted by GamesRadar, is suggesting that GTA 6 development could well be into its final polishing phase.
Given that polishing a game can still take a year or longer (especially one as large as GTA 6), these latest rumours are pointing towards a 2024 release date, backing up Microsoft's claim above.
Without official word from the developer, however, we can't say this with any certainty. Always take rumours with a pinch of salt or two.
GTA 6 leaks
Thanks to a series of gargantuan leaks, people around the world have now seen a good deal of early development footage of GTA 6. Before being taken down, the footage seemed to confirm the new female protagonist and showcase some open-world gameplay.
In a statement, Rockstar confirmed the validity of the leaks and added that it is "extremely disappointed to have any details of our next game shared with you all in this way". Despite the leak, though, Rockstar claims that its "work on the next Grand Theft Auto game will continue as planned".
Fortunately, the leak and access of confidential Rockstar information have not delayed GTA 6. The game should still launch as planned and Rockstar will "properly introduce" us to the game "when it is ready".
Can you pre-order GTA 6?
No. You cannot currently pre-order GTA 6.
Given that we still don't know its release date, and likely won't for a little while, it should come as no surprise that you cannot pre-order Grand Theft Auto VI. When that changes, we'll be sure to let you know.
GTA 6 map could be set in Miami
Where will the GTA 6 map be set? According to the aforementioned Bloomberg report, GTA 6 is currently set in and around a fictional version of Miami (much like the previous game Vice City).
Prior to this focus on Miami, the report claims: "Early designs called for the inclusion of territories modelled after large swaths of North and South America [...] But the company reeled in those ambitions."
However, it sounds like the game could expand beyond Miami post-launch. Bloomberg claims: "Rockstar’s plan is now to continually update the game over time, adding new missions and cities on a regular basis."
Rumours have long suggested that the map will still be larger than both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 however, and gaming commentator Tez2 has noted that a recent GTA+ survey has asked select players if they'd use a fast travel feature - which is therefore likely being considered for GTA 6.
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GTA 6 story includes first female protagonist
As for the story and characters in GTA 6, Bloomberg's report covers that too. The article claims that GTA 6 "will include a playable female protagonist for the first time, according to people familiar with the game". This has now been verified by the leaked early development footage of the game.
The report goes on to note: "The woman, who is Latina, will be one of a pair of leading characters in a story influenced by the bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde."
Touching on how the GTA tone could be modernised by this new instalment, the report adds: "Developers are also being cautious not to 'punch down' by making jokes about marginalized groups."
What platforms will GTA 6 be on?
We can predict with confidence that you will be able to play GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, but it remains to be seen if GTA 6 will also reach PS4 and Xbox One. Those previous-gen consoles could be pretty outdated by the time GTA 6 is ready, after all.
We imagine a GTA 6 PC release will be on the way, too, but what is a mystery is whether GTA 6 will make the leap to the Nintendo Switch - GTA 5 hasn't yet, even though the Definitive Edition trilogy bundle did, so it is by no means a guarantee. We'll keep you posted as we learn more.
Read more on Grand Theft Auto:
- GTA San Andreas cheats
- GTA Vice City cheats
- GTA 3 cheats
- GTA 5 cheats
- GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition details
- GTA 5 voice actors - the full cast
GTA 6 announced - what has Rockstar said?
"We are pleased to confirm that active development of the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series is well under way," the GTA developers from Rockstar recently revealed in a statement.
"With the unprecedented longevity of GTA V, we know many of you have been asking us about a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series," Rockstar added in their statement.
"With every new project we embark on, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we have previously delivered."
Is there a trailer for GTA 6?
Sadly, there is no official trailer for GTA 6 just yet. For the time being, we'll just have to imagine how it looks in our heads.
Hopefully, it will be announced soon and we can add one here for you - but for now, you'll just have to imagine a GTA 6 trailer in your head. Enjoy!
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