GTA 6: Everything we know so far
Rockstar’s critically acclaimed GTA 5 was released all the way back in 2013 and is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made. As one of the most successful console games ever and with news spreading of Rockstar’s next installment being developed, anticipation for the next release in the series has reached fever pitch. Gamers have now waited for the best part of a decade for GTA 6 and there’s been plenty of speculation about its setting, protagonists, and themes. Despite the nine-year intermission between releases the wait is set to continue with a release date yet to be announced and development still ongoing. Excitement and expectations are already high after the success of its predecessor, the scale of the project and time it has taken to get over the line and gamers will be hoping they deliver. What we do know however comes courtesy of a huge leak at Rockstar and whilst the information that has come to light needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, there is still the strong possibility much of it will feature in the final product. With that said here’s our look at GTA 6 as we try to separate the fact from the fiction as we prepare for the return of our favourite satirical crime-filled universe.
When is GTA 6 coming out?
The first GTA 6 announcement came in February 2022, when Rockstar Games snuck out the news that GTA 6 is “well underway” as part of a broader GTA 5 and GTA Online Community Update and internet sleuths have been digging for any hints of a release date since. As things stand there is still yet to be any official confirmation of a release date for the upcoming game but speculation has mounted of a date in 2024 after Rockstar staff both past and present have come out stating the game is still probably at least two years away from completion, with 2025 and 2026 the more likely outcome. 2024 is the year that most people are expecting though, mostly as a result of Tom Henderson’s now infamous leak. The notable leaker, who is primarily known for his mostly accurate previews of Battlefield and Call of Duty, posted a video sharing a bunch of alleged GTA 6 details. In it, Henderson predicts GTA 6 isn’t going to release until between 2024 and 2025, based on his sources. Henderson’s prediction has since been corroborated by Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier. Sometime between 2024 and 2025 is looking like the safe bet.
Where will GTA 6 be set?
Rockstar Games hasn’t confirmed where GTA 6 will take us, but there’s a plethora of rumors floating around suggesting a variety of settings for the game. But when the gaming industry stood still amidst a monumental leak, one of the best kept secrets appeared to be out in the open. It’s looking most likely that GTA 6 will be set in Vice City, Rockstar’s fictional version of Miami, or at least a fictional version of Miami. Rockstar has confirmed that the leaked GTA 6 gameplay footage is real, which means we have a better sense of the city and the setting. For starters, one screen shows an underground rail system with the words “Vice City Metro” printed on the side, while eagle eyed viewers may have even spotted familiar spots from GTA 3: Vice City like the Malibu Club, Ocean View Hotel, Little Haiti, and Vice Beach. However the map looks like it could grow further still to encompass more locations than just the expanded Vice City. Rockstar plans to update GTA 6 with more cities and interior locations after release, with these updates set to be substantially larger than those GTA 5 has received. The idea is to give developers more breathing room to create the game’s expansive map and cut down on stressful overtime during development. It also means you’ll have new areas to explore after the game hits shelves.
What characters will lead GTA 6’s story?
While some rumors suggest that the GTA 6 story has been finished, there’s a lot of speculation about the number of playable characters in GTA 6. It has been rumored for months now that Rockstar was working on the first GTA 6 female protagonist – at least, a first for the series in the 3D era. The historic GTA 6 leak revealed that the game will feature two protagonists, a male and a female and that the story will be akin to Bonnie and Clyde. The in-development names for the characters are Jason and Lucia, and it would appear that the character switching system from GTA 5 is returning in some capacity. One leaked clip showed the pair robbing a diner together, with the player in control of one of the characters while the other was piloted by AI. In another clip, we see character swapping – although it is near instantaneous, rather than the slow perspective shift as seen in GTA 5. This could mean we end up with a couple dynamic where both protagonists find themselves in a relationship on the run from the law throughout the game, but we will have to wait and see.
What can we expect from GTA 6’s gameplay?
As Rockstar is yet to release a GTA 6 trailer, it’s difficult for us to say with certainty how this new game will play and how it will innovate on Grand Theft Auto 5. One popular feature in GTA 5 was the Diamond Casino & Resort update, and that is something we could see returning in GTA 6. However, it’s clear from the early development footage which leaked out that Rockstar is at least investigating and playtesting some new mechanics. For example, it appears that there’s a focus on robberies and heists once again but with a new series of stealth mechanics being introduced with footage depicting characters crawling while prone, and even carrying bodies. Additionally, the weapon wheel, which was overhauled for GTA 5, is returning in some capacity, and the leaked footage suggests that Rockstar is introducing new health buff items such as painkillers. We can also see that the Five Star ‘Wanted’ system is returning, and that the VCPD have improved AI routines for tracking after you get on their radar presenting more of a challenge for gamers compared with previous installments. From what we know so far GTA 6 is set to be the biggest game Rockstar have ever released and we all have high hopes they can deliver.
