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The gaming community is abuzz as Rockstar Games prepares to unleash its next masterpiece, Grand Theft Auto VI, commonly known as GTA 6.
From the sprawling urban landscapes to the adrenaline-pumping gameplay, every aspect of this highly awaited installment has fans on the edge of their seats.
In August 2024, Publisher Take-Two gave us the launch window: Fall of 2025. Start preparing for your 5-star Wanted levels now.
Let’s delve into the details surrounding the GTA 6 map, release date, price, and the most recent gaming rumors.
Key Takeaways
- GTA 6 release day is set for Fall 2025, after publisher Take-Two narrowed the launch window.
- The game will feature a vast map, rumored to be significantly larger than GTA 5’s, including a modern-day Vice City and surrounding areas like Leonida and Grassriver.
- It will include a wide range of animals and possibly invasive species.
- GTA 6 will introduce two major protagonists, Jason and Lucia, the franchise’s first playable female character.
- It is set to debut on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no initial mention of a PC or older console release.
- There’s speculation about the game’s price, considering its rumored billion-dollar budget, but it’s expected to align with current AAA pricing norms despite potential AI integration enhancement.
When is GTA 6 Coming Out?
Release Date: Fall 2025
Grand Theft Auto VI has been officially confirmed for a Fall 2025 debut.
The CEO of Rockstar’s parent company Take-Two, Strauss Zelnick, confirmed on a May 16, 2024, earnings call that: “We do feel highly confident that we’ll deliver [GTAVI] in Fall of 2025.”
In August 2024, Zelnick clarified further:
“The Grand Theft Auto series exceeded our expectations, as momentum continues to build ahead of the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 in Fall 2025.”
If we had to hazard a guess, we’d lean towards September, based on previous launches:
| Game Title | Release Date |
| Grand Theft Auto | November 1997 |
| Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 | April 1999 |
| Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 | June 1999 |
| Grand Theft Auto II | October 1999 |
| Grand Theft Auto III | October 2001 |
| Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | October 2002 |
| Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | October 2004 |
| Grand Theft Auto IV | April 2008 |
| Grand Theft Auto V | September 2013 |
GTA 6 Trailer
Based on Rockstar’s track record, we also expect a second trailer to be released before the end of 2024 — perhaps with a specific release date attached?
Could GTA 6 Be Delayed?
This uncertainty is not unprecedented, as Rockstar Games has a track record of postposing major releases, as seen with previous entries in the Red Dead Redemption and GTA series.
While this doesn’t definitively signal a delay for GTA 6, it does highlight Take-Two and Rockatar’s commitment to ensuring the highest quality for their flagship titles, even if it means pushing back release dates.
Because of this, although the game is tentatively slated for a 2025 debut, fans should be prepared for the possibility of a further delay, despite CEO Zelnick’s confidence.
In March 20, a skirmish erupted between Rockstar and workers about “back to office” plans, despite previous games like GTA 5 reportedly created entirely remotely.
In what was called by some an ‘anti-parent’ move, employees expressed a fear about ‘the state of the project’ — with workers potentially leaving if remote work is a dealbreaker to them.
However, based on the latest statements, Take Two seems confident of meeting Fall 2025.
Exploring the GTA 6 Map
Vice City, Leonida, Grassriver, Port Gellhorn & More
In Grand Theft Auto, the map serves as a pivotal element, shaping the player’s experience and offering a canvas for grand exploration. With GTA 6 on the horizon, discussions surrounding the size and scope of its map have become a focal point for fans and industry insiders alike.
Leaked information (more about it down below) has sparked conversations about GTA 6 map size. Some sources suggest that, based on these leaks, the rendition of Vice City and its surroundings could potentially surpass the scale of GTA 5’s San Andreas, perhaps doubling its size.
A leak on April 20, 2024 suggested the map will be 2.55x as large as the already massive GTA 5 map, although this is drawn from a community project to re-create the GTA 6 map based on leaks and the first trailer.
However, it’s worth noting that conflicting opinions exist, with a former developer proposing the idea of a smaller yet densely packed map to enhance gameplay dynamics.
In case you’re not familiar with GTA’s way of naming locations, Vice City, a location featured in previous games in the franchise, is a fictional representation of Miami, Florida.
In terms of confirmed locations for GTA 6, the game’s main campaign is set to take place in the modern day, in the aforementioned Vice City. Beyond the city limits, the map extends into the state of Leonida, representing Florida.
Here, players will be able to explore the swampy area of Grassriver, which mirrors the natural region of the Everglades in Florida.
We know of one further city, Port Gellhorn, the name of which appears on the side of a police car in the trailer; the expectation is that this city is on the west side of the map. Counties Kelly County, Leonard County, and Vice-Dale County can also be spotted in the trailer, which also depicts an equivalent of the Florida Keys.
As with GTA 5’s rendition of Los Angeles, GTA 6 depicts many famous Miami landmarks, such as Miami Beach (Vice City Beach), the Miami International Airport, and the home of the Miami Heat basketball team, the Kaseya Center.
GTA 6 DLC and GTA Online Expansions
In terms of future expansions, the GTA 6 map may evolve through time through downloadable content (DLC). Rumors suggest that DLC could introduce changes to the campaign map, such as the addition of new areas or updates to existing ones to align with thematic content. This could potentially offer a fresh experience for players and was a roaring success for Rockstar for GTA Online.
It is worth noting that, despite that success, many fans were severely disappointed when Rockstar abandoned a single-player DLC for GTA 5 in favor of more GTA Online updates.
For example, in 2019, GTA Online generated a staggering $595 million just from microtransactions, surpassing the earnings from the single-player mode by a significant margin. Additionally, the player base for GTA Online in 2020 exceeded that of any previous year since its inception. According to analysts, this achievement is largely credited to the consistent rollout of fresh content and updates.
In the realm of multiplayer then, the new GTA Online is also expected to introduce an ‘evolving map’ concept, akin to the dynamic landscapes seen in games like Fortnite. This could mean that with each update, the map undergoes alterations and tweaks, providing new challenges and opportunities for players.
Insights from industry sources also hint at plans to expand the map with new GTA versions of cities like Tampa and Orlando. However, the specifics regarding these expansions, particularly whether they’ll extend to the single-player experience or remain exclusive to GTA Online, are yet to be confirmed.
GTA 6 Characters
Two Main Protagonists: Lucia and Jason
As far as confirmed characters are concerned, GTA 6 will feature two main protagonists: a male character named Jason and a female character named Lucia.
Lucia, of Latina descent, represents a groundbreaking addition to Rockstar’s lineup, being the first playable female character in the franchise’s modern history. Lucia’s voice actor is rumored to be Manni L. Perez.
Leaks also hint at a roster of other characters, including Dale, Chester, Danny, Iris, Shanese, Vicky, Dre, Sam, Kai, Wyman, Billy, Tit, Boobie, Zach, and RB Shaw.
Like in GTA V, players are expected to retain the ability to switch between Jason and Lucia for specific missions.
GTA 6 Wildlife
New Invasive Species: Iguanas and Alligators
Considering the map’s locations mentioned above, GTA 6 is expected to feature a variety of animals native to Miami and Southern Florida.
Among the creatures confirmed to inhabit this virtual ecosystem are familiar faces like bucks, cows, crayfish, deers, dolphins, dogs, ducks, flamingos, fish of various species, frogs, herons, pigeons, possums, raccoons, rats, sea turtles, seagulls, sharks, skunks, snakes, squirrels, and even whales.
Additionally, Rockstar has incorporated invasive species like iguanas, reflecting the region’s ecological diversity.
The trailer also shows alligators — would a true depiction of Florida be complete without them? The GTA subreddits are already full of players hoping they can keep an alligator as a pet.
Returning GTA Brands
GTA fans can also expect the triumphant return of several iconic in-game brands.
Among these is the Cobra Martial Arts Gym, a familiar location from GTA: San Andreas where players could hone their martial arts skills.
Additionally, the Inside Track betting brand, known for its horse race betting feature in GTA: San Andrea, is also expected to make a comeback.
Fast food chains like Burger Shot and Cluckin Bell and beverage brands like Sprunk and Pi?wasser (last seen in GTA 4) are also poised to reappear.
Finally, the Weazel News television channel, the GTA universe’s Fox News, featured in several GTA games, will also appear in GTA 6.
Based on GTA 6’s official trailer, the game will possibly include an in-game social media platform reminiscent of TikTok or Instagram.
The trailer showcases snippets featuring user-recorded videos with a UI design strikingly similar to popular social media platforms.
These videos, ranging from lively yacht parties to energetic twerking, are accompanied by usernames, captions, hashtags, and a ‘follow’ button, suggesting a fully interactive experience.
The speculations are supported by Rockstar’s previous venture into social media emulation. In GTA 5, players could access an in-game social media platform called LifeInvader.
What Platforms Will GTA 6 Be On?
GTA 6 will make its debut on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, according to Rockstar’s official announcement.
However, there is no mention of a PC release or support for older-generation consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One.
Rockstar has a history of prioritizing console releases before porting games to PC, as seen with both GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2.
With GTA 6 expected to push boundaries on current-gen hardware, it’s unlikely to be compatible with older consoles.
Additionally, there’s no indication yet of whether GTA 6 will be available on Nintendo platforms, though speculation remains as to the possibility with the rumored upgraded Switch model on the horizon.
How Much Will GTA 6 Cost?
With fervent anticipation building for Take-Two’s forthcoming blockbuster, there’s widespread speculation surrounding the price tag of Grand Theft Auto VI. Just how much is GTA 6?
Leaks and insider information hint at an unprecedented budget ranging from $1 billion to $2 billion, sparking rumors of a $150 (￡120, €140) price tag.
However, industry norms suggest that such a steep increase is improbable, with AAA games typically debuting at around $69.99 / ￡69.99 on PS5 and Xbox X consoles.
It is also worth mentioning here that Zelnick mentioned the possibility of AI integration in GTA 6, which, if delivered correctly, could make the world more interactive and spontaneous than we have seen before.
Incidentally, AI is increasingly being utilized in video games, signaling a broader trend in the industry.
Latest GTA 6 Leaks & Rumors
The gaming community eagerly anticipates any updates regarding Grand Theft Auto VI. Amidst this excitement, there have been instances of fake GTA 6 news aimed at misleading fans. However, some leaks have provided insights into the game’s development.
On September 18, 2022, a significant and unprecedented leak impacted one of the most anticipated games of the decade. Numerous video files related to GTA 6 began surfacing on the fan forum GTAForums, offering an unintended preview of Rockstar’s next AAA title.
These leaks showcased various aspects of the game under development, including elements of the game world, gunplay mechanics, and NPC artificial intelligence. Additionally, the clips seemed to validate existing rumors about GTA 6, such as the inclusion of both male and female protagonists.
The leak was attributed to the GTA 6 hacker going by the handle “teapotuberhacker,” who also claimed responsibility for hacking the ride-hailing app Uber earlier that month. This individual also shared purported Grand Theft Auto VI assets and game code.
Subsequently, GTA 6 leaked footage clips across multiple platforms were removed following Take-Two Interactive’s request. According to reports, takedown requests were traced back to individuals with Rockstar email addresses, strongly indicating the legitimacy of the leaks.
Despite these revelations, Rockstar Games has maintained a secretive stance regarding the game’s development progress. They have affirmed that more information about GTA 6 will be disclosed according to “Rockstar’s schedule.”
Meanwhile, would it be a GTA game without controversy before release? We already have one Florida man suing Rockstar for allegedly using his likeness without permission.
The Bottom Line
With Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon, the gaming community is buzzing with excitement and speculation. From leaked insights suggesting a potentially expansive map to hints at specific GTA6 release dates and discussions about pricing, anticipation is at an all-time high.
As Rockstar Games maintains its secretive stance, fans eagerly await further details, ready to immerse themselves in the next chapter of this iconic franchise.
Until then, we will make do with a hungry community already creating their content while we wait for more official news drops — including Minecraft fans re-creating the official GTA6 trailer in full.
