For those of us who love playing video games, it feels like we have been discussing the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) forever. In truth, it has been just over 10 years since GTA 5 was released, but that is certainly a long time in the gaming world. Nevertheless, we finally received confirmation in December 2023 that Rockstar Games will be releasing GTA 6 in 2025 on both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Okay, so that’s still a long time away for those of us who want nothing more than to immerse ourselves in the expansive world of a new GTA game. However, to finally have a broad release date feels wonderful and it’s time to start getting excited for what’s to come.
In this post, we’ll look at everything we know about GTA 6 so far. We’re talking publicly released information, clues picked up from the official trailer, predictions based on what the fanbase hopes will be included, and expectations of a game that benefits from over a decade of technological advancement since its predecessor.
Setting
One of the most exciting things about GTA 6 is that we’re returning to a place many of us know and love – Vice City.
Specifically, this release is set in the fictional state of Leonida, which includes Vice City, so we can expect some nostalgia alongside lots of new things and places to explore. A recent Rockstar Games statement suggested that players should expect “an unprecedented level of depth and immersion”, so that’s certainly something to look forward to.
Trailer Insights
Let’s move on to the trailer, which has been viewed on YouTube over 171 million times just one month since it was released.
Visuals
As expected, the trailer provided us with a glimpse of the new GTA 6 universe and it’s fair to say that it looks stunning. With neon-lit Vice City streets, as well as larger state landscapes, there’s no doubt that the game is benefiting from a significant graphical upgrade.
Characters and Storylines
So far, we’ve not been given much information about specific characters in the game other than the female lead, Lucia. However, the trailer does seem to point to there being a diverse cast of characters, and a Rockstar Games narrative designer suggested that “Each character in GTA 6 has a unique story, adding layers to the overall narrative”. Therefore, we should expect intertwining character arcs to flesh out the universe.
Gameplay
Information about gameplay specifics is also kept under lock and key right now. However, the trailer did suggest that we can expect stealth mechanics, such as prone crawling. Furthermore, there was an indication that there could be some changes to the health system, with potential buffs. Alongside this, it appears that much of what we already love about GTA gameplay will be returning.
What Fans Want to See
- Heists and Missions: This has been a focal point of the GTA games for a long time and is expected to continue. GTA 5 did well to make missions more immersive than ever before and, therefore, players are hoping to see this continue to be the case for GTA 6.
- Character Depth: GTA 5 was interesting in this department because there was a multiple-protagonist system that kept the game feeling fresh as you progressed. Character depth is certainly something fans expect at this point because it is needed to fill out the massive world they reside within.
- Dynamic Open World: GTA has been known for its huge open worlds for a long time and technological advancement would suggest that this should continue. Undoubtedly, fans are hoping to be able to interact with the world around them more than ever before. For example, fans of GTA 5 enjoyed the minigames you could play at the Diamond Casino & Resort, with the kind of games you could play at UK slot sites, adding more depth to the game’s universe.
- GTA Online: These days, fans of most games want to see a major focus on the online side of things. GTA 5 certainly did this well and this is expected to be the case again with the newest release. Notably, the longevity of the game probably rests on this being the case.
Expectations
Beyond wants, some fan expectations come with a game like GTA 6:
Technological Advancements
With over a decade passing since the previous release, we should expect to see big upgrades when it comes to things like graphics and performance.
Multiplayer Innovation
Likewise, high-speed connections all over the world suggest we should expect to see intense multiplayer offerings, with deeper integration with the main game and improved social interaction features.
Cultural Impact
With so much going on in the world, there is an expectation to see some current and common societal issues played out within the storylines of GTA 6.
