Despite being a decade old, Grand Theft Auto 5 still reigns as a fan favourite, with a staggering 185 million copies sold. However, the gaming community is notably excited about the series’ next instalment, GTA 6, which is currently under development by Rockstar North.
A projected release window has been hinted at, falling between April 2024 and March 2025, according to the game’s publisher, Take-Two Interactive. In their latest yearly earnings report, Take-Two projects over $8 billion USD in net bookings for the 2025 fiscal year, a record-breaking 50% increase over the company’s previous high of $5.3 billion in 2023. The sudden uptick is largely attributed to the anticipation surrounding GTA 6.
As for platforms, GTA 6 is expected to be available initially on next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. A PC version is also likely, although it may not be immediately available at launch. The game will reportedly feature a return to Vice City—Rockstar’s fictional Miami—with the promise of regular updates introducing new missions and cities.
While no official details about the storyline have been released, rumours suggest that GTA 6 will involve two bank robbers, Lucia and Jason, in a plot inspired by the legendary duo Bonnie & Clyde. Additionally, Rockstar is reportedly aiming to be more sensitive in its approach to satire, minimizing jokes that target marginalized groups.
Last September saw an unprecedented leak that revealed significant aspects of the game, including portions of the in-game world, gunplay, and non-playable characters (NPCs). The leak was so significant that a British teenager was later arrested for his role in a series of hacks, one of which was believed to be the source of this massive GTA 6 leak.
The development of GTA 6 has also been marked by internal shifts within Rockstar. Two key figures in the franchise’s history—Rockstar games co-founder/head writer Dan Houser and former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies—have left the company. Despite these changes, the development of the highly-anticipated game seems to be proceeding as planned.
Rockstar released an official statement last February confirming that GTA 6 is in active development. “With every new project we embark on, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we have previously delivered,” the statement read. “We look forward to sharing more as soon as we are ready.”
As the gaming world eagerly awaits more information, it’s clear that GTA 6 has a high bar to meet, both in terms of expectations and its predecessor’s monumental success.