The most anticipated game of the decade: what is known about GTA VI

Release Date and Platforms

The release date is November 19, 2026. The game will be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. A PC version has not been announced at launch—Rockstar is sticking to its usual pattern: consoles first, PC later.

The game has been delayed twice. First from autumn 2025 to May 2026, and then again to November. Each time, Rockstar gave the same explanation: more time is needed to bring the game up to the level players expect. The current date is officially confirmed and considered final.

Setting

The game takes place in the state of Leonida—a fictional analogue of Florida. The main location is modern Vice City, an analogue of Miami. The map includes at least five districts and is estimated to be twice the size of the GTA V map. This is the largest open world in the history of the series.

Confirmed locations include Vice City, the Grassroots Swamps as an analogue of the Everglades, the Leonida Keys, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia, and Mount Kalaaga National Park. There may also be a second state, Gloria, an analogue of Georgia. The game features over 700 enterable objects: nightclubs, shopping malls, restaurants, skyscrapers, pawnshops, and the subway. There is also wildlife: alligators, wild boars, dolphins, sharks, flamingos, and much more. There is also something to explore underwater: Rockstar has confirmed underwater zones with hidden caches and secrets.

Two Main Characters — First Female Protagonist in the Series

GTA VI marks the first time in the series that there are two playable protagonists: Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Lucia is the first female main character in the main GTA series. The couple's story is inspired by Bonnie and Clyde: both are drawn into a criminal conspiracy and forced to rely solely on each other.

Jason is a former soldier, likely a paratrooper based on his tattoo. Lucia grew up in Liberty City, and her father trained her in combat. At the beginning of the game, she wears an electronic ankle bracelet, which is removed quickly and does not affect gameplay. Together, they live in the Leonida Keys in exchange for running errands for someone named Brian.

You can switch between characters in three modes: Jason only, Lucia only, and joint control—including during heists in the open world. Each character has their own superpower: Jason's slows down time while highlighting enemy weak points, similar to Dead Eye in Red Dead Redemption 2; Lucia's offers similar slow-motion but focuses on a single precise shot.

Transport

Over 200 vehicles are confirmed: cars, motorcycles, helicopters, airplanes, and boats. Interiors are highly detailed, featuring working speedometers, mirrors with real-time reflections, pedals, adjustable seats, and sun visors.

Third-person and first-person perspectives are supported. Vehicles can be purchased at dealerships or stolen. Customization is deeper than in GTA V. The city features a tram system that you can board and ride.

Weapons and Combat

The weapon wheel has been redesigned: you can now switch not only between weapons but also between equipment—binoculars, armor, flashlight, food, medkits, and bags. You can carry two pistols and two shotguns simultaneously, while other items are stored in the trunk. The dual-wielding mechanic from RDR2 has not been brought back—only one weapon per hand.

You can now shoot from car windows, pickup truck beds, and even while swimming. Crouching and stealth mechanics have been added. If you walk down the street with a weapon, the character automatically holsters it in crowded areas to avoid drawing attention. The police no longer react instantly: they first assess the situation, and there is an option to surrender.

Graphics and Physics

Lighting is based on Ray Traced Global Illumination and Ray Traced Reflections. Clothing moves with the wind, and hair and beards grow over time—similar to RDR2. The characters have working wristwatches displaying in-game time. Liquid physics are detailed down to the contents inside bottles. There is also a cinematic camera mode, as seen in RDR2.

GTA Online

The online mode launches alongside the game in the world of Leonida. Progress from GTA V will not carry over—neither characters, nor money, nor property. Rockstar is building the economy from scratch, aiming for a more balanced system without the inflation issues seen in GTA V Online. Players who participated in previous games may receive bonuses for past achievements. There is also discussion about deep integration of role-playing tools, following Rockstar's acquisition of the FiveM platform.

What's Next

In summer 2026, a full-scale marketing campaign will begin—Rockstar promises new content and the opening of pre-orders. The price has not been officially announced; Take-Two's CEO only stated that it will be fair. After release, Rockstar plans to regularly add new missions and locations, expanding the game world.