GTA 6 roundup: launch date, story details, new leaks, and everything else we know

Rockstar recently faced a massive cyber-attack, where more than 90 videos and screenshots of an early build of GTA 6 leaked online. The hacker has apparently also managed to steal the game’s source code. As terrible as it sounds, the leak has revealed some key information about GTA 6. The recent leak has also confirmed many previous leaks about the game’s setting, main characters, and more. Since the leaks are from an early test build of GTA 6, many of these details are subject to change in later builds. Here’s all we know about GTA 6 release date, story, gameplay, and more.

GTA 6 announcement

Rockstar Games has confirmed that the next entry in GTA series is in development. Rockstar said, “Many of you have been asking about a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. With every new project, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we’ve previously delivered. We’re pleased to confirm that active development for the next entry in the series is underway.” It’s unclear what Rockstar will name the next GTA game, but it may be called GTA 6. Although Rockstar hasn’t offered further details about GTA 6 yet, there are several reports and rumours that have hinted at details such as release date, location, story, and more.

GTA 6 release date (expected)

Since Take-Two or Rockstar haven’t revealed the exact release date of GTA 6, we can only rely on reports that have been out so far. Stephen Totilo of Axios recently quoted an analyst from the investment banking firm Jefferies that said, “There are only a handful of titles that can provide management with the confidence to put out such a strong guidance; we believe there is at least one Rockstar IP set to be released by FY24.” If this is true, we could expect GTA 6 to launch sometime between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.

Call of Duty leaker Tom Henderson shared a YouTube video predicting that GTA 6 will launch in 2024 or 2025. This timeline was backed up by Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier. Schreier had said, “Everything Tom Henderson has said about the game matches up with what I’ve heard.” Considering these rumours, players can expect GTA 6 to launch in 2024 or 2025.

Rockstar has apparently paused development on Red Dead Redemption and GTA 4 remasters to dedicate more resources to GTA 6. Rockstar will share more details about GTA 6 release date as the game moves into the final stages of development.

Which platforms will GTA 6 launch on?

Although GTA 5 had initially only launched on PS3 and Xbox 360, Rockstar launched the game on PC after one and half years. Considering the success of games like GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC, GTA 6 will most likely launch on PC and consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X|S simultaneously. That being said, it’s highly unlikely to see Rockstar launching the next GTA game on mobile.

Will there be GTA 6 online?

GTA Online has been a major part of Rockstar’s strategy to keep players in the GTA ecosystem. GTA Online gets frequent updates with new heists, missions, vehicles, weapons, costumes, events, and more. Since Rockstar has added a huge online multiplayer experience to GTA 4, GTA 5, as well as both Red Dead Redemption titles, we can expect GTA 6 to have online multiplayer features as well. Hopefully, players will also get the option to play the game’s story mode in co-op.

A recent leak claims that GTA 6 Online may have an extended map alongside modes like Cops ‘n Crooks. There have also been rumours about an evolving map, similar to the one in Fortnite.

Where will GTA 6 take place?

GTA 6 will bring back Vice City, which is the series’ version of Miami. The recently leaked videos and screenshots have many banners of Vice City and cop cars with ‘VCPD’ written on them. This pretty much confirmed the previously leaked Vice City setting for GTA 6. GTA 6 was originally supposed to have parts of North and South America, but Rockstar decided to against that idea later in development. Vice City is an iconic location in the GTA series, and it’s definitely great to see it coming back.

What can you expect from GTA 6’s story?

The recent GTA 6 leak has revealed that the game will have two main playable characters, female and male, who will have a Bonnie and Clyde-inspired relationship. A previous leak had revealed this information, which has now been confirmed. GTA 6 will have a female protagonist for the first time in the series, which was somewhat teased by GTA 5 co-writer Dan Houser in an interview with The Guardian. Houser said, “In the future, could we do a game with a lead female character? Of course. We just haven’t found the right game for it yet, but it’s one of the things that we always think about. It didn’t feel natural for this game but definitely for the right game in the future – with the right themes, it could be fantastic.”

The stories from the GTA series are based on crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, and other gang-related activities. GTA 6’s story is expected to feature similar elements along with some over-the-top moments and critiques of modern American capitalism and society from GTA 5. The leaked footage also shows that heists and robberies could be a major part of GTA 6’s core gameplay loop.

Rockstar will most likely need quite some time to develop GTA 6, considering that the studio has received a lot of backlash due to reports of crunch culture. An in-depth report from Kotaku highlighted how to crunch culture affected employees during the final year of Red Dead Redemption 2 development. Since the report came out, Rockstar has seemingly made significant changes to its work culture, suggesting that the development on GTA 6 will be much less daunting for the employees.

GTA 6 news

Will GTA 6 release be delayed due to a major gameplay leak? Rockstar offers clarity (September 20th)

Rockstar has given an official statement regarding the recent GTA 6 leak, confirming there was a “network intrusion,” where a hacker managed to access confidential information. Rockstar has also said that the attack will not affect current live-service games or the development of GTA 6.

Massive GTA 6 leak reveals early gameplay footage (September 19th)

The latest GTA 6 leak has revealed some of the core elements of GTA 6. GTA 6 is now confirmed to take place in Vice City, with two main protagonists in a Bonnie and Clyde-type of relationship.

GTA 6 will reportedly have a female protagonist, release window leaks again (July 28th)

A recent leak claims that GTA 6 will have a female protagonist in a story inspired by Bonnie and Clyde. The game is expected to be set in Vice City, with more locations added to the map over time. GTA 6 is expected to feature a huge world at launch with many more interior locations than previous games.

GTA 6 release: Rockstar pausing GTA 4, Red Dead Redemption remasters to focus on upcoming GTA game (July 6th)

Recent reports claim that Rockstar has paused the development of GTA 4 and Red Dead Redemption remasters to focus better on GTA 6. The publisher is apparently trying to dedicate more resources to GTA 6 development. That being said, the poor reception for GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition may have played a role in this decision.

GTA 6 story details, online map and release date leak out (July 1st)

A recent leak suggests that GTA 6 could follow the story of twin siblings, separated in their childhood after their parents were killed by a cartel in 2003. The siblings later find themselves against each, when one of them becomes a DOA agent and the other one becomes a cartel member. The leak also suggests that GTA 6 may release in 2024.