After an inadvertent online leak, the first sneak peek of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 has finally emerged in a trailer, providing fans a glimpse into the forthcoming blockbuster.
Rockstar, the game’s developer, unexpectedly released the 90-second teaser, fifteen hours ahead of its heavily anticipated official launch, prompted by the circulation of a low-quality copy online.
The teaser offers confirmation that the game will be set in a Miami-inspired Vice City, featuring Lucia as the lead protagonist – a departure from the male-dominated focus of previous iterations since the 1990s. However, despite the excitement generated by the reveal, fans will need to exercise patience as the game is not slated for release until 2025.
This installment in the iconic series will serve as a sequel to the immensely successful GTA V, which secured its place as the second best-selling video game of all time, trailing only Minecraft.
The anticipation for GTA VI has persisted for the better part of a decade, with a continuous stream of rumors and leaks fueling fervent speculation among fans.
The recent confirmation of the impending trailer release alone spurred global attention in November, as eager enthusiasts eagerly sought any details about the new game.
The unveiled footage showcases high-speed car races, vibrant boat parties, and an intriguing scene featuring a man extracting an alligator from a swimming pool, all set to the backdrop of Tom Petty’s Americana anthem, “Love is a Long Road.”
Gamers like Jess, known as “Rage Darling” in the online gaming community, typically focused on multiplayer RPGs, have been closely monitoring the upcoming GTA release.
“If you’re not at least intrigued by GTA, you’re a bit of an outlier at this point because of its colossal impact,” she shared with BBC Newsbeat. Jess noted that while historically the series has been male-centric, the introduction of a female perspective has sparked her interest.
Reflecting on the industry impact, she mentioned, “I believe this will showcase to other game developers and AAA studios that featuring a female protagonist is not a hurdle.”
However, despite the trailer’s excitement, numerous questions remain unanswered. Foremost among them is the list of consoles for the game’s release, a detail not disclosed in the video.
Nonetheless, Take-Two Interactive, the game’s publisher, has confirmed that GTA VI will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X upon its 2025 release. Details about a potential PC version or the voice actor behind Lucia are yet to be revealed.
James Binns, chairman of gaming media firm Network N, highlighted the colossal success of GTA V, emphasizing its prolonged dominance in gaming charts fueled by the ongoing popularity of GTA Online.
He remarked, “With over a billion dollars invested, this game will undoubtedly be monumental in scale, potentially becoming the most expensive game ever created.”
Initially developed in Dundee in 1997, GTA, subsequently known as Rockstar North, has enjoyed both critical acclaim and commercial triumph, despite controversies over its violent content that even reached the House of Lords.
In a separate announcement, Rockstar revealed a partnership with Netflix, offering several of its titles, including GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas, to Netflix subscribers on mobile devices starting December 14.