Grand Theft Auto is one of the most recognised franchises in the gaming industry, with eight games in the main series and several spin-offs for various platforms. It has come a long way from its initial release on MS-DOS and Windows.
A multi-million-selling product, its last iteration, GTA 5, sold 195 million units worldwide as of February 2024. So when developers Rockstar Games announced that they’re working on the next instalment, aptly called GTA 6, excitement skyrocketed, with the announcement nearly breaking the internet and its first trailer setting a YouTube record. Here is what we know so far.
When Will it Be Released?
There is no concrete release date yet, although Rockstar has earmarked a deadline of 2025. Most sources believe that the release date will be in spring, although a few others believe differently.
Reddit user @JarlofRivia, who was spot on with his prediction about several promotional releases, including the game’s first trailer, believes it will be released in the first quarter, most likely between January and February. Meanwhile, another GTA enthusiast, @Nuro_citrix, even provided a specific date, reckoning that the game could be released on February 18, 2025. Of course, we won’t know anything concrete until Rockstar announces the release.
Final Stages Of Development
Reports do, however, suggest that the game is in the final stages of development. Many sources have based this assumption on the fact that Rockstar has instructed all of their staff to start working in the office, ending all remote work protocols.
While this wasn’t well received by staff, it was clearly necessary to boost security, as it is believed that remote work is the reason for so many leaks early on in production. Also, in April, it was revealed that video game producer Rob Nelson was roped in on GTA 6 production. He is renowned for his work on Rockstar's other major franchise, Red Dead Redemption, working on the acclaimed second instalment of the game.
What We Know About The Storyline
For the first time in the game’s long history, Grand Theft Auto will feature a female lead protagonist named Lucia. She is the first playable female character in the game and will be accompanied by a yet-to-be-named male character.
The trailer indicates that the story is set to mirror the classic criminal partnership of Bonnie and Clyde and could potentially add a new dimension to the game with the emotional element of the relationship between Lucia and her male partner. The game will also be set in the fictional city of Leonida, which is similar to the American state of Florida.
Record Breaking Trailer
Anticipation for the game was so intense that when the trailer was finally released, it received 93 million views in 24 hours. This record was almost thought to be lost when the social platform Discord released an April Fools' spoof, claiming to have exceeded 1.3 billion views. However, those stats have since been debunked, and the GTA 6 trailer’s record remains intact.
WATCH: GTA 6 TRAILER HERE
Will GTA 6 Online Exist?
One of the major unanswered questions is whether GTA 6 will include an online element. GTA 5, released in 2013, introduced GTA Online, which utilised the game’s setting and engine. Over the years, players have invested thousands of hours and significant sums of money into building their characters and empires.
However, GTA 6 will be a new game, necessitating a new online setting. This implies that anyone who purchases the game will need to establish their online character and empire from scratch.
While you wait for this GTA 6 to be released, continue to enjoy GTA online as it currently is using Vodacom Fibre to get you online to play with your friends.
