Rockstar Games has been relatively tight-lipped about GTA 6 since they announced its development back in February 2022, tucked away in a GTA 5 Community Update. They merely mentioned that “work on the next instalment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise is progressing well,” and have provided little additional information.
Nonetheless, a massive GTA 6 leak occurred on September 18, with more than 90 videos and images from a preliminary alpha version of the game appearing on the internet. Rockstar has confirmed and addressed the breach, and is attempting to remove the leaked content from the web. This early glimpse into Grand Theft Auto 6 has unveiled some previously unknown aspects of the game – such as the setting, characters, and gameplay elements. Continue reading to discover all the available information on GTA 6 thus far.
Has GTA 6 been confirmed by Rockstar?
In February 2022, Rockstar Games subtly announced GTA 6’s progress within a larger GTA 5 and GTA Online Community Update. They mentioned that Grand Theft Auto 6 is in “active development” and expressed their gratitude for fans’ support, looking forward to a shared future.
A few months later, in August 2022, Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, reiterated that GTA 6’s development was progressing smoothly during their financial results presentation. Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, set high expectations for the upcoming game, stating that the Rockstar team aims to establish new creative milestones for the franchise, the gaming industry, and entertainment as a whole, just as they have done with every major release.
When will GTA 6 be released?
Rockstar Games has not yet announced an official release date for GTA 6, but online detectives have made some informed predictions. Numerous sources have supported the 2025 release rumor, which also hinted at a modern-day Vice City setting for Grand Theft Auto 6. Although it’s essential to take such speculations with a grain of salt, the recent leaks confirming a contemporary Vice City environment may lend credibility to a 2025 release.
Nevertheless, some rumours suggest that GTA 6 might debut in 2024. A Bloomberg article initially reported that both current and former Rockstar employees believe the game is at least two years away, indicating a possible 2024 launch. This claim was reinforced by Microsoft’s recent statement in response to the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) inquiry into its ongoing acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft stated, “The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be released in 2024.”
This information could imply that the GTA 6 release date is nearer than anticipated.
Where will GTA 6 be set?
The final layout for GTA 6 hasn’t been revealed yet, but some hints from leaked footage and screenshots point to a game setting that goes beyond Vice City’s limits. In a similar manner to Rockstar’s expansion of Los Santos between Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and GTA 5, a few leaked images seem to reveal previously unseen parts of Vice City. Since Vice City is modelled after Miami, there’s now conjecture that GTA 6 might stretch further south to include the Everglades (a large wetland) and the Florida Keys (a series of tropical islands). The “Gator Keys” were mentioned in the original GTA: Vice City during a radio transmission, but never made an in-game appearance. If the images are indicative of what we think they are, the GTA 6 map could encompass a diverse range of landscapes.
Interestingly, fans are convinced that the GTA 6 map will surpass the size of GTA 5’s. Relying on leaked coordinates from GTA 6, subreddit users are attempting to reconstruct the map. They have even begun to assemble GTA 6’s map by utilising Google Earth and Paint.
Who are the main characters in GTA 6?
For some time, there has been speculation that Rockstar is introducing the first female protagonist in the 3D era of GTA 6. Earlier this year, a Bloomberg article discussing the evolving work culture at Rockstar North initially mentioned this possibility, which has since been supported by the GTA 6 leak. The early gameplay footage features two new playable characters in GTA 6.
Currently referred to as Jason and Lucia, it seems that the character-switching mechanism from GTA 5 will make a comeback in some form. One leaked video displays the duo committing a robbery at a diner, with the player controlling one character while AI directs the other. Another clip demonstrates character swapping, which now occurs almost instantly rather than the gradual transition seen in GTA 5.
What weapons will be in GTA 6?
From the leaked content, gamers have managed to extract details regarding the potential weapons that may be featured in the game. Naturally, these details could change before the official release, but the following armaments were mentioned in the GTA leaks:
- Assault Rifle
- Baseball Bat
- Bolt Action Sniper
- Compact Submachine Gun
- Crowbar
- Flashbang
- Fists
- Grenade
- Knife
- Molotov
- Pistol
- Polymer Pistol
- Pool Cue
- RPG
- Smoke Grenade
- Speargun
Undoubtedly, the weapons observed in the leaks represent just a fraction of what will be available. It is highly likely that the final version of the game will offer a more extensive arsenal for players to explore and utilise.