GTA VI timeline
From Rockstar's first confirmation in February 2022 to release day, oldest first. Each entry links to the full post with its sources.
All events: confirmed, reported, rumors and debunked claims.
2022
- Confirmed
Rockstar confirms the next Grand Theft Auto is in active development
In a February 2022 Newswire post, Rockstar said work on the next Grand Theft Auto was well underway. It gave no name, setting, platforms or date.
- Reported
Report: Rockstar shelved GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption remasters to focus on the next GTA
Kotaku reported in July 2022 that Rockstar had set aside GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption remasters to put its resources into the next Grand Theft Auto.
- Confirmed
Rockstar shifts resources to the next GTA and ends major Red Dead Online updates
Rockstar said in July 2022 that it was moving development resources to the next Grand Theft Auto and would stop major themed updates for Red Dead Online.
- Confirmed
Bloomberg reports the next GTA stars a criminal duo with the series' first female lead, in a fictional Miami
Bloomberg reported in July 2022 that the next GTA had two leads, one a woman, in a fictional Miami. Trailer 1 later confirmed the core of it.
Reported until , then confirmed.
- Confirmed
Take-Two CEO says Rockstar aims to set new creative benchmarks with the next GTA
On Take-Two's August 2022 earnings call, Strauss Zelnick said work on the next Grand Theft Auto was well underway, but gave no name, date or other details.
- Confirmed
Rockstar confirms network breach, says work on the next GTA continues as planned
Rockstar said an outside party downloaded confidential data, including early footage of the next GTA, and that development would go on as planned.
- Reported
UK police arrest a teenager over hacking; reports link him to the Rockstar breach
City of London Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old over hacking. Reports tied him to the Rockstar breach; police did not name Rockstar.
- Confirmed
Take-Two CEO says the September leak won't affect the next GTA's development
On a November 2022 earnings call, Strauss Zelnick said Take-Two saw no sign material assets were taken and that the leak would not affect development.
- Debunked
Microsoft filing said GTA VI was expected in 2024, a claim that proved wrong
A Microsoft filing to the UK regulator put GTA VI in 2024, citing press reports. It was wrong: Rockstar later announced the game for 2025.
Rumor until , then debunked.
2023
- Confirmed
Take-Two forecasts over $8 billion in fiscal 2025 bookings, without naming GTA VI
Take-Two said several groundbreaking titles would lift fiscal 2025 net bookings past $8 billion. Outlets saw a GTA VI hint; that timing did not hold.
- Reported
UK jury finds teenager carried out the 2022 Rockstar Games hack
A London jury found Arion Kurtaj, 18, carried out the 2022 Rockstar Games hack, UK media reported. He was unfit for trial, so it was not a conviction.
- Debunked
The rumored October 26 GTA VI trailer never arrived
A 4chan claim had fans expecting a GTA VI trailer on October 26, 2023. None came; Rockstar later set its first trailer for early December.
Rumor until , then debunked.
- Confirmed
Rockstar confirms the first trailer for the next GTA is coming in early December
Bloomberg reported Rockstar would reveal its next GTA within days. Hours later, Sam Houser said the first trailer would arrive in early December 2023.
Reported until , then confirmed.
- Confirmed
Rockstar schedules Trailer 1 of the next GTA for December 5 at 9am ET
Rockstar said the first trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto would premiere on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 9am ET (6am PT, 2pm GMT).
- Confirmed
Rockstar reveals Grand Theft Auto VI a day early with Trailer 1
After a leak, Rockstar released GTA VI's first trailer a day early, confirming Leonida, Vice City, a 2025 release and PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Confirmed
GTA VI's first trailer sets three Guinness World Records
Guinness counted 90.4 million YouTube views in 24 hours for GTA VI's first trailer, a record for a game trailer and for any non-music video.
Reported until , then confirmed.
- Reported
Hacker behind 2022 Rockstar breach given indefinite hospital order, reports say
Arion Kurtaj, the Lapsus$ hacker behind the 2022 Rockstar breach, is to be held in a secure hospital with no end date, VGC and The Record reported.
2024
- Reported
Rockstar orders staff back to the office five days a week, Bloomberg reports
Bloomberg reported that Rockstar told staff to work from the office five days a week from April 2024, citing productivity and security.
- Confirmed
Report: GTA VI development behind schedule, 2026 slip possible
Kotaku reported in March 2024 that GTA VI was falling behind and could slip into 2026. In May 2025, Rockstar moved the game to 2026.
Reported until , then confirmed.
- Confirmed
Take-Two narrows GTA VI release window to fall 2025
Take-Two's fiscal 2024 results narrowed GTA VI from calendar 2025 to fall 2025, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The window later slipped twice.
- Confirmed
Take-Two CEO neither confirms nor rules out GTA VI on PC
Asked about GTA VI on PC, Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick said nothing was final and Rockstar would say more in due time. He confirmed no PC version.
- Reported
GTA VI is exempt from the video game actors' strike, Kotaku reports
Kotaku reported that GTA VI was exempt from the SAG-AFTRA video game strike that began on July 26, 2024, so union performers could keep working on it.
- Rumor
Rumor: Heaven 17 member says he rejected a GTA VI offer for Temptation
Heaven 17's Martyn Ware claimed Rockstar offered $7,500 per writer to use the song Temptation in GTA VI, and he refused. Rockstar has not commented.
- Debunked
Fan moon theory about a November 2024 GTA VI trailer proved wrong
Fans read the moon in a Rockstar image as a sign of GTA VI Trailer 2 on November 22, 2024. The day passed with no trailer; it came in May 2025.
Rumor until , then debunked.
2025
- Confirmed
Take-Two keeps GTA VI on course for fall 2025 in Q3 results
Take-Two's February 2025 earnings release still listed GTA VI for fall 2025 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no exact day. That plan later changed.
- Reported
Rockstar reportedly held talks with Roblox and Fortnite creators about GTA VI
Digiday reported early talks between Rockstar and top creators about building in GTA VI. Rockstar has not confirmed any creator tools.
- Debunked
Analyst's $100 GTA VI price prediction did not come true
Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter predicted GTA VI could sell for $100 or more. It did not: the standard edition costs $79.99, the Ultimate $99.99.
Rumor until , then debunked.
- Confirmed
Rockstar delays GTA VI to May 26, 2026
Rockstar pushed GTA VI from fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, apologizing and saying it needed more time to finish the game. The date later moved again.
- Confirmed
Rockstar releases GTA VI Trailer 2 and expands the official site
Rockstar dropped GTA VI Trailer 2 unannounced and added Jason and Lucia's backstories, six new characters, the regions of Leonida and 70-plus screenshots.
- Confirmed
Rockstar says GTA VI Trailer 2 drew 475 million views in a day
Rockstar said Trailer 2 passed 475 million views across platforms in its first 24 hours and called it the biggest video launch of all time.
- Confirmed
Take-Two lists GTA VI for May 26, 2026 in its first results after the delay
Take-Two's May 2025 results put GTA VI on May 26, 2026, and Strauss Zelnick called the extra development time a worthy investment.
- Confirmed
Take-Two keeps GTA VI on May 26, 2026 and leaves the price to Rockstar
Take-Two's August 2025 results kept GTA VI on May 26, 2026. Strauss Zelnick said Rockstar would announce the price and his confidence was very high.
- Reported
Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser says he did not write GTA VI
Dan Houser told IGN that GTA VI's story and characters are not his work, but said he expects the game to be great. Rockstar has not commented.
- Confirmed
Rockstar fires more than 30 UK and Canada staff; studio and union dispute the reason
Rockstar fired over 30 staff. Take-Two cited gross misconduct, Rockstar says they shared confidential information, and the IWGB alleges union busting.
- Confirmed
Rockstar delays GTA VI again, to November 19, 2026
Rockstar moved GTA VI from May 26 to November 19, 2026, apologizing for the longer wait and saying the extra months were for polish.
- Reported
Keir Starmer calls Rockstar firings a 'deeply concerning case' after MP's question
At Prime Minister's Questions, Keir Starmer said ministers would look into Rockstar's dismissals. Rockstar says union activity played no part.
2026
- Reported
UK tribunal refuses interim relief to fired Rockstar workers
A UK employment judge turned down interim pay for Rockstar staff dismissed in late 2025, outlets reported. The full claim is still to be heard.
- Debunked
Insider claimed GTA VI's boxed copies would trail launch; Take-Two denied it
An insider claimed GTA VI's physical edition would arrive weeks or months after launch. Take-Two's CEO denied it, and the box later proved to hold a code.
Rumor until , then debunked.
- Confirmed
Take-Two keeps GTA VI on November 19 and says marketing starts in summer
Take-Two's third-quarter results kept GTA VI on November 19, 2026, and CEO Strauss Zelnick said marketing for the game would begin in the summer.
- Rumor
Rumor: Newsletter blamed GTA VI's delay on a broken save system; Kotaku dismissed it
A UK gossip newsletter claimed GTA VI was delayed because its save system broke after a layoff. Kotaku dismissed the rumor, and nothing official backs it.
- Confirmed
Rockstar confirms company data was accessed in a third-party breach
Rockstar said a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed through a breach at another company, with no impact on players.
- Debunked
Best Buy email pointed to May GTA VI pre-orders; they did not open until June
A Best Buy affiliate email listed GTA VI pre-orders for May 18 to 21, 2026. They did not open then; Rockstar later set June 25.
Rumor until , then debunked.
- Confirmed
Take-Two reaffirms GTA VI for November 19 in its fiscal 2026 results
Take-Two's year-end results kept GTA VI on November 19, 2026, and forecast $8.0 to $8.2 billion in net bookings; its CEO said marketing starts in summer.
- Confirmed
Rockstar sets GTA VI pre-orders for June 25 and reveals the cover art
Rockstar said GTA VI pre-orders would open on June 25, 2026, on digital storefronts and at select retailers, and showed the official cover art.
- Confirmed
Sony and Rockstar bill GTA VI as playing best on PS5
A PlayStation Blog post from Sony and Rockstar said GTA VI plays best on PS5, pointing to DualSense features, 3D audio and fast SSD loading.
- Confirmed
GTA VI pre-orders open June 25 at $79.99, with a $99.99 Ultimate Edition
GTA VI costs $79.99, or $99.99 for the Ultimate Edition. Pre-orders opened June 25 with the Vintage Vice City Pack; preloading starts November 12.
- Rumor
Rumor: insider claims a GTA VI disc version will follow in December
Rumor: an insider claimed GTA VI would get a disc version in December 2026. Nothing official backs it, and a later report said no disc is planned.
- Confirmed
Take-Two calls GTA VI pre-orders unprecedented and keeps November 19
Take-Two's CEO called GTA VI pre-order demand unprecedented but gave no figures, and kept the November 19 launch and its fiscal 2027 forecast.
- Reported
Take-Two asks a court to subpoena Discord and Microsoft over GTA VI leaks
Take-Two sought subpoenas to Discord, Microsoft, X and YouTube to find who leaked GTA VI gameplay, according to court filings reported by Kotaku.
- Confirmed
Rockstar calls GTA VI gameplay leaks heartbreaking, keeps November 19
Rockstar said a week of leaked GTA VI gameplay clips was heartbreaking for its team, apologized for the wait and asked fans to hold on until November 19.
- Confirmed
Rockstar premieres Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look on Netflix
Rockstar premiered Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look on Netflix, then posted the gameplay video on YouTube and the official site six hours later.
- Confirmed
Rockstar North's Rob Nelson tells Famitsu GTA VI is on track for November 19
In a Famitsu interview, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson laughed off delay worries and said GTA VI will release as planned on November 19.
- Rumor
Rumor: YouTuber relays claims of 30fps on consoles and no full first-person mode
A YouTuber claims Rockstar North's Rob Nelson told him GTA VI runs at 30fps on consoles for now, with no full first-person mode at launch. Unconfirmed.
- Rumor
Rumor: Kinda Funny relays claim of no microtransactions or AI in GTA VI single-player
Kinda Funny Games claims Rob Nelson said GTA VI's single-player has no real-money purchases and no AI. Unconfirmed; the ESRB lists In-Game Purchases.
- Confirmed
Rockstar expands the official GTA VI screenshot gallery to 99 images
Rockstar added 29 screenshots to the official GTA VI gallery on August 31, taking it to 99 images of characters and places. Only a few were new.
- Reported
GTA VI: An Extended Look drew 31.1 million Netflix views, Netflix data shows
An Extended Look drew 31.1 million views in four days and was Netflix's most-watched title that week, according to Netflix's Top 10 data.
- Confirmed
Sony reveals two limited-edition GTA VI DualSense controllers
Sony and Rockstar showed Black and White GTA VI DualSense controllers priced at $84.99, with pre-orders from September 10 and a November 19 release.
- Reported
Tribunal over Rockstar's dismissal of 34 staff begins in Glasgow
The tribunal over 34 fired Rockstar staff began in Glasgow, Game Developer reported. Rockstar says they shared confidential information.
- Confirmed
Rockstar and Atlantic Records announce Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album
Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, 34 original tracks from Rockstar and Atlantic Records, comes out November 19 with the game. Six singles are already out.
- Reported
Twitch CEO says GTA VI multiplayer is coming next year; Rockstar hasn't confirmed
Twitch's CEO said GTA VI multiplayer comes next year; Bloomberg later reported it is expected in 2027. Rockstar has announced no online mode or date.
Rumor until , then reported.
- Confirmed
Rockstar opens pre-orders for $399.99 Vice City Collection, game not included
The Goodtime State – Vice City Collection, a $399.99 box of GTA VI merchandise, is up for pre-order and ships November 19. The game is not included.
- Confirmed
Game Informer's GTA VI cover story details Leonida's weather, wildlife and side activities
Game Informer's 14-page cover story, built on interviews with Rockstar designers, covers Leonida's storms, wildlife, people and side activities.
- Confirmed
GTA VI is rated M by the ESRB and 18 by PEGI
The ESRB rated GTA VI M (Mature 17+) with an In-Game Purchases notice, and PEGI gave it an 18, then pulled its detailed content listing.
- Reported
The Verge corrects its report of Xbox-exclusive GTA VI cloud streaming after Xbox denial
The Verge reported Xbox had exclusive GTA VI cloud-streaming rights, PC included. Xbox denied both points, and the corrected report drops them.
- Confirmed
Rockstar reveals six GTA VI radio stations, including a returning Flash FM
Rockstar named six GTA VI radio stations, brought back Flash FM, and confirmed on-demand podcasts you can hear on foot through in-game earbuds.
- Reported
GTA VI on PC reportedly planned for the first quarter of 2027
GamesBeat reports, citing four anonymous sources, that Rockstar plans to bring GTA VI to PC in early 2027. No PC version has been announced.
- Confirmed
Rockstar leaders tell Bloomberg their next game won't take as long as GTA VI
In a Bloomberg interview, Rockstar's heads of development said GTA VI's engine, tools and team will let the studio make its next game faster.
- Confirmed
Rockstar releases the GTA VI Launch Trailer, with Justice as score composers
Rockstar released the GTA VI Launch Trailer, set to the new Justice song Flower in a Hurricane, and named Justice as the game's original score composers.
Release day
: Grand Theft Auto VI launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
The release date Rockstar confirmed in November 2025. Play today's puzzles while you wait.