GTA 6: Everything we know so far

GTA 6 is now officially coming our way in 2026, following the news of an amended release date which pushes it out of the initial launch window. But with a second trailer to sink our teeth into, along with lots of new information from Rockstar - including more on the characters and locations of the new open-world adventure - and plenty of screenshots, the anticipation for GTA 6 is only reaching new heights.

Lots of exciting new details have emerged following the delay, with fans meticulously combing over all 5000-plus frames of the latest trailer to uncover more - such as dedicated beer tech, and impressive cloth animations. It's safe to say that even if it's not coming until next year, it's easily one of the biggest new games coming our way. In fact, Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick only furthered the hype recently when he said that "Rockstar Games is trying to create the best thing anyone's ever seen in entertainment".

It's been over decade since we saw the release of GTA 5, and the sense of anticipation for the next entry in the long-running series has only been reaching new heights the first GTA 6 trailer dropped back in late 2023. With lots out in the wild about what's in store, read on below for a full recap of everything we know so far about GTA 6, from its characters to locations, and more.

GTA 6 Release window

GTA 6 release date

GTA 6's release date is set to release on May 26, 2026.

Rockstar confirmed the release date in a post on Twitter, which pushes GTA 6's expected launch back from the previous Fall 2025 launch window - which was revealed in a Take-Two financial report back in May, 2024.

In the release date announcement post, Rockstar Games states: "We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game."

Rumors of a potential delay had been circling for some time ahead of the above announcement, with lots of speculation doing the rounds since the vague 2025 window was revealed back in 2024. It was first sparked when Rockstar moved all of its employees back to full-time in-office work five days a week, which multiple of its developers have expressed concern about, particularly when it comes to the potential effects on the sequel.

A report via Kotaku also suggested GTA 6 may be pushed into 2026, and former Rockstar dev Obbe Vermeij had also said that GTA 6 will sell "10+ years" since there's "no competition", meaning that Rockstar is "not going to release the game until they're 100% happy". While confirmation of the delay does mean we'll have to wait longer to dive into Rockstar's open-world adventure, having a concreate date to look forward to rather than a vaguer launch window is a bit of a silver lining, with a Take-Two boss saying another delay is unlikely.

GTA 6 Trailer

GTA 6 trailer: Watch it here

The first GTA 6 reveal trailer is here, and it's everything that we hoped it would be. While Rockstar had originally set the GTA 6 trailer release date for Tuesday, December 5, 2024, a leak pushed the publisher to get the long-awaited first look at the new Grand Theft Auto out into the world a little earlier last year.

The GTA 6 trailer, which you can view above, gives us a first look at the return to Vice City and the new protagonists. For a detailed overview, be sure to check out our GTA 6 trailer breakdown.

GTA 6 trailer 2

GTA 6 trailer 2 gives us another look at the state of Leonida where the upcoming adventure will be taking place, along with some exciting story hints that build on what's been revealed previously. As dual protagonists Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval work together to find a new beginning in the city, we see Jason go to collect Lucia from prison, followed by several action shots of them both getting caught up in various hijinks. It's certainly giving off some Bonnie and Clyde vibes all over again.

GTA 6 trailer 2's description also mentions that the "deck is stacked against them when an easy score goes wrong", which leads them to "the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a conspiracy" that's said to stretch "across the state". It sounds like we're about to get wrapped up some dangerous situations that'll force the pair to rely on each other.

While we are still waiting for more teasers, you can check out our list of the best games like GTA to play now.

GTA 6 Platforms

GTA 6 platforms: PS5 and Xbox Series X/S confirmed

So far, it has been confirmed that GTA 6 will be coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S when it arrives in 2026.

The news came by way of an official press release from Take Two, which states that: "GTA 6 is coming to PlayStation 5 computer entertainment systems and Xbox Series X|S games and entertainment systems". With the PS5 Pro now in play, we don't yet know if GTA 6 will be among the PS5 Pro enhanced games.

According to a tech expert, however, it likely won't run at 60fps on the console, even if it has "higher quality visuals". We'll have to wait and see.

As for whether GTA 6 will be coming to PC, it's looking unlikely at this point, but we'll keep an eye out for any news on this front.

Will GTA 6 have a PC release?

There's currently no mention of a PC launch, which might suggest it will follow a similar route to some of the previous GTA games that released on consoles first, before arriving on PC at a later date. Our best bet is that PC players will have to wait beyond the 2026 release date to play on their preferred platform... sorry folks.

Our hopes for a quick PC release follow-up are basically shattered at this point, as according to a former developer, GTA 6 on PC will likely take a while, with PS5 taking priority as Rockstar focuses on "what sells".

That's corroborated by another former developer, who said the GTA 6 PC launch probably won't come for "a long time." We will keep you updated if any details change, but for now, PC players can play all the major GTA games on PC while they wait for the new title.

You can read our five-star Grand Theft Auto 5 review if you fancy a replay.

GTA 6 Characters

GTA 6 characters: Introducing Lucia and Jason

Following the drop of the second GTA 6 trailer, Rockstar released a detailed overview of some of the key GTA 6 characters we'll be meeting in Leonida on its official website. With some more background information on the dual protagonists of GTA 6 - Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos - who were first introduced to in the first official trailer, we now know that Lucia grew up in Liberty City and dreams of the "good life" in Leonida.

Coming fresh out of prison (which we see explored further in the second trailer), Lucia sees a life with a Jason as a "way out", with Duval said to have grown up around grifters, with a history of drug running. As they take on life together in the city, it's said that they'll have to rely on one another more than ever. The pair certainly appear to share a bond, or a kind of Bonnie and Clyde-like relationship, and speak of trust as they get stuck into some crime together.

We've also seen a lineup of other faces that look set to factor into Lucia and Jason's adventures in the Keys. Below, you can find a full list of all of the other GTA 6 characters we know about so far.

Image 1 of 6

• Cal Hampton - Jason's friend who's said to be a homebody and is known for "snooping on Coast guard comms".
• Boobie Ike - A Vice City legend and businessman with an empire made up of a strip club, some real estate, and a recording studio
• Dre'Quan Priest - An aspiring musician recently signed under Real Dimez who's connected to Boobie's strip club
• Bae-Luxe and Roxy - also known as Real Dimez, Bae-Luxe and Roxy are two friends who's bond stretches back to high school. Known for their strong social media presence and rap tracks, the pair are signed under Only Raw Records.
• Raul Bautista - Known for this cunning charm, Raul is an experienced bank robber who's looking out for new talent.
• Brian Heder - An older man with a history of drug running "from the golden age of smuggling in the Keys".

Related:

• GTA 6 detectives think the trailer is telling Lucia's story in reverse, and I'm starting to believe them

GTA 6 Location

GTA 6 location: We're heading back to Vice City

GTA 6 is taking us back to Vice City. While the original game was set in 1986, this new 2026 release is set to take place in what appears to be a modern day setting. Rockstar revealed we'll be heading to the state of Leonida which is "home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond". Set to be the "biggest, most immersive evolution of Grand Theft Auto yet", Vice City appears to be a part of a bigger map that will form GTA 6.

The first and second trailers have already given us glimpses of a Vice City made prettier than ever, with a take on rural Florida that's every bit as chaotic as the real thing - with some familiar spots such as Starfish Island. Fans were quick to compare what was shown in the first trailer to the locations from the original Vice City, which demonstrates how incredibly detailed the updated take on the location is.

Image 1 of 6

Following the drop of GTA 6 trailer 2, Rockstar also released 85 new GTA 6 screenshots which showcase some of the locations that will make up the new game's open-world setting. With post card-like images that confirm the names of some of the different areas alongside in-location screenshots.

We can get a better look at an updated Vice City; the touristy Leonida Keys; the wilderness-filled Mount Kalaga National Park; Port Gellhorn, which features cheap motels and strip clubs; the rural and industrial areas of Ambrosia that's home to a biker gang; and finally, the swampy landscapes of Grassrivers.

Related:

• Now that we've actually seen Vice City, this dedicated GTA 6 map community can finally get to work on accurately drawing out the entire game

GTA 6 News

GTA 6 announcement: When was GTA 6 confirmed?

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. With word that Grand Theft Auto 6 is in "active development", Rockstar said: "On behalf of our entire team, we thank you all for your support and cannot wait to step into the future with you!"

In August 2022, Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive reaffirmed that GTA 6 development is "well underway" as part of the company's financial results report. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick made some big promises for what GTA 6 will achieve: "With development of the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series well underway, the Rockstar Games team is determined to once again set creative benchmarks for the series, our industry, and for all entertainment, just as the label has done with every one of their frontline releases."

GTA 6 News

There hasn't been much official GTA 6 news besides the recently confirmed release date, which pushes it into 2026. But we have had some Rockstar employees teasing features and the trailer to unpack.

Of course, we have also had the massive leak—which you can read about below — and responses to that leak, but otherwise, the developer has been pretty quiet on the highly anticipated sequel.

• Take-Two's CEO is probably the world's only person to refuse the chance to play GTA 6 because "I'm not a gamer" - his role is to "get out of their way"
• Take-Two won't begin marketing GTA 6 until it's closer to release: "The anticipation for this title may be the greatest anticipation I've ever seen for any entertainment property"
• Take-Two CEO "fully" supports Rockstar's GTA 6 delay, promises "a groundbreaking, blockbuster entertainment experience that exceeds audience expectations"
• GTA 6 might already be using AI-powered animation tech, says San Andreas dev: "If anyone is going to make that step it's going to be Rockstar"
• Rockstar developers react to the GTA 6 trailer leak: "Well, that F***ing sucks"
• GTA 6 has to do the impossible - "reflect the feeling" of the series while also being "something never seen before"
• The GTA 6 trailer wasn't just cinematics, according to a former Rockstar developer who says "It's really gonna look like this"
• Rockstar is "seeking perfection" for GTA 6 and will release it when it's "optimized creatively"
• GTA 6 could be the most important thing "to ever release in the industry, so no pressure," reliable analyst predicts
• GTA 6 publisher says "perfection is hard to measure," but Rockstar is trying to create "an experience that no one has seen before"
• GTA 6 publisher CEO says he wants to "vastly over-deliver" on price and offer "more value than what we charge"

GTA 6 Leaks

GTA 6 leaks: Are the GTA 6 leaks real?

There was an unprecedented GTA 6 leak on September 18, 2022, which saw dozens of videos and screenshots from an alleged in-development build of the game spread online. Are you wondering whether the GTA 6 leaks are real? Well, Rockstar has since issued a statement confirming the hack: "We recently suffered a network intrusion in which an unauthorized third party illegally accessed and downloaded confidential information from our systems, including early development footage for the next Grand Theft Auto."

"We are extremely disappointed to have any details of our next game shared with you all in this way," the Rockstar statement continues. "We will update everyone again soon and, of course, will properly introduce you to this next game when it's ready. We want to thank everyone for their ongoing support through this situation."

In the 48 hours since the GTA 6 leak first appeared, the GTA Forums have worked to scrub all remnants of the illegally obtained screenshots and videos to avoid being "obliterated by Rockstar". The dedicated GTA 6 reddit has also taken all links, pictures, and videos of the leak offline, and has committed to staying online with one condition: "We will allow discussions related to the leak without attaching the leaks. We don't allow comments that has [sic] download links to the leak."

Since then, Rockstar and parent company Take-Two have spoken out about the leaks. In a recent earnings call, CEO of GTA publisher Take-Two Interactive, Strauss Zelnick said that the leak was "terribly unfortunate", before adding that "we take those sorts of incidents very seriously indeed".

"There's no evidence that any material assets were taken, which is a good thing, and certainly, the leak won't have any influence on development or anything of the sort. But it is terribly disappointing and causes us to be ever more vigilant on matters relating to cybersecurity."

The latest update on all of this is that the teenager accused of massive GTA 6 leak has been deemed psychiatrically unfit for trial. Reuters reports that 18-year-old Arion Kurtaj, a member of the Lapsus$ hacking group has been assessed by psychiatrists who have deemed him unfit to stand trial for himself.

Interestingly, there's one leaked GTA 6 screenshot that is the sole survival of a Rockstar copyright "nuke". Seems like just a single frame has escaped the all-encompassing copyright claims Rockstar has waved across the internet.

Why was GTA 6 delayed?

The GTA 6 release date delay officially pushed it into 2026, with Rockstar confirming it will no longer be releasing in the initial Fall 2025 launch window.

There had been speculation about a delay for some time. In the immediate aftermath of the GTA 6 leak, there was some concern over how the intrusion would impact ongoing development of the new Grand Theft Auto game. Rockstar has since confirmed in an official statement that the hack would not affect GTA 6 production, or the ongoing security of GTA 5 and GTA Online.

But Rockstar citied needing more time to bring us the kind of experience we expect as the reasoning behind the release date move into 2026: "With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve."

GTA 6 Map

GTA 6 map: new details

While the final GTA 6 map is yet to be shown, there are some indicators from the leaked video and screens that indicate a play space that stretches beyond the confines of Vice City.

Much in the same way Rockstar expanded upon Los Santos between Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and GTA 5, a few of the leaked screenshots appear to show all-new areas of Vice City. As you may know, Vice City itself is loosely based on Miami, and there's now speculation that GTA 6 will push further south toward the Everglades (a wetland) and the Florida Keys (a string of tropical islands).

Now, the "Gator Keys" were referenced in the original GTA: Vice City as part of a radio broadcast, but the location was never shown in-game. If the screenshots suggest what we think they are, expect the GTA 6 map to contain a mixture of environment types.

Interestingly, fans are convinced that the GTA 6 map will be much larger than that of GTA 5. Using leaked GTA 6 coordinates, the GTA 6 subreddit fans are trying to map out the map itself, and later started stitching GTA 6's map together using Google Earth and Paint. Another fan, YouTuber Dark Space, also modded their interpretation of the GTA 6 map into GTA 5 from what we've seen in the trailers so far. Clever folks.

GTA 6 Gameplay

GTA 6 gameplay

As Rockstar is yet to release an unvarnished GTA 6 gameplay 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. 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 a new series of stealth mechanics is 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 Jason and Lucia after you get on their radar.

While we wait for GTA 6, why not jump into one of the best Rockstar games of all time or some of the best RPG games. Failing that, create some chaos with these handy GTA 5 cheats.