Creating an open-world game on the scale of GTA 5 takes years of dedicated development, so it’s no surprise that Rockstar Games has been working on GTA 6 for quite some time. Known for keeping details under wraps until the final stages, Rockstar has finally had its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, confirm exactly when we can expect the highly anticipated release.
The wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been long and filled with speculation. Last year, early gameplay leaks, snippets of source code, and development footage surfaced online, fueling rumors about the game’s launch. Now, those rumors have been replaced by official confirmation of the GTA 6 release date, as well as exciting details about its story and setting.
Release Date
Rockstar Games has officially confirmed the release date for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). The game will launch on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The PC version is expected to arrive later in 2026, possibly between six and twelve months after the console release.
The launch will be staggered worldwide at midnight local time across all time zones, meaning players in New Zealand will get access first, followed by other regions as their clocks hit midnight.
Rockstar apologized for the delay compared to earlier expectations and emphasized that this extra time is necessary to deliver a high-quality game. Take-Two Interactive’s CEO Strauss Zelnick also supported Rockstar’s decision, highlighting the need to realize their creative vision fully.
Price
While the exact price hasn’t been officially announced, industry analysts speculate that GTA 6 could have a base price as high as $100, breaking the typical $70 game price barrier. Deluxe and collector’s editions could push this even higher with premium extras.
GTA 6 is expected to be a massive financial success, with over $1 billion in pre-order sales projected, helping Take-Two reach its ambitious revenue targets.
Game Pass
GTA 6 will not launch on Xbox Game Pass on day one. Rumors of a marketing exclusivity deal with Sony seem likely, especially as recent trailers were captured on PlayStation 5 hardware, and in-game visuals include a PS5-style controller.
Story and Setting
GTA 6 is set in a modern-day version of Vice City, Rockstar’s fictional take on Miami. The story follows two main protagonists:
- Lucia Caminos, a woman recently released from prison
- Jason Duval, her partner in crime
Together, they embark on a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style crime spree across Vice City and the surrounding state of Leonida. The story deals with conspiracy, survival, and the harsh realities of their criminal world.
The game features a rich cast of characters including:
- Cal Hampton, Jason’s friend and conspiracy theorist
- Boobie Ike, a drug kingpin and club legend
- Real Dimez, a viral rap duo
There is speculation that celebrity John Cena may appear in some capacity, possibly as an in-game character.
Trailers
- Trailer 1: Released early in December 2023 due to leaks, confirmed the return to Vice City. It showcased iconic locations like the Malibu Club and Ocean Drive.
- Trailer 2: Released May 6, 2025, just before the release date announcement. It highlights Jason and Lucia’s relationship, their criminal activities, and introduces the story’s core themes of loyalty and survival.
Leaks
In September 2022, a massive leak revealed over 90 videos totaling more than 53 minutes of GTA 6 test footage. These clips showed both protagonists in action, including a diner robbery, daily life moments, and nightlife scenes. The person responsible for leaking was arrested shortly after.
Additional leaks appeared on TikTok and X/Twitter days before trailer releases, leading Rockstar to officially release trailers early to combat misinformation.
Gameplay
The gameplay retains much of the open-world action fans expect but introduces new mechanics such as:
- Cover system with crouching and crawling
- Vision abilities similar to Red Dead Redemption’s Deadeye
- Customizable vehicle controls including adjustable wheel and seat positions
- Fast travel using public transport
- Dynamic, evolving maps for both the campaign and GTA Online mode
The map is rumored to be extremely large, possibly twice the size of GTA 5’s Los Santos, with plans for post-launch DLC to expand or change regions.
Development and Future
Rockstar has been developing GTA 6 actively since at least early 2022. The studio aims to reduce crunch time by launching a “moderately sized” initial game and expanding it regularly through updates.
There are also rumors of a GTA 6 metaverse, which would let players and creators modify the game environment, similar to platforms like Fortnite and Roblox. Rockstar has reportedly reached out to creators from these platforms for collaboration.