GTA, among the most popular games in recent times since the first title in 1997, has been released for a decade since the last Grand Theft Auto 5 was released, which has become one of the best-selling video games with over 185 million copies. The developer confirmed GTA 6 in February 2022, two years after the game’s release. Since then, there have been a lot of rumours, reports, and follow-ups that we need to discuss. Rockstar Games did confirm GTA 6, which is said to be released later next year for the console and is expected to be released for PC after two years. Let us see what I have been anticipating and what you can expect from the game.
GTA 6 leaks
Last year, a significant event occurred in the gaming world 6 leaks surfaced online. These leaks, comprising over 90 videos and screenshots of early developments, offered us a tantalizing glimpse into the game’s characters, including Jason, Lucia, Storyline, Strip Club, and Robbing Dinner.
Why is GTA 6 taking so long?
This has always been like this with the GTA release before the GTA 5 developer took five years. However, after GTA 5, we have GTA Online, which receives regular updates, and players have enjoyed this experience a lot. With GTA Online, they have been generating hundreds of millions each year.
Rockstar’s approach to GTA 6 is distinct. Unlike Activision, which releases CoD titles annually without significant gameplay upgrades, Rockstar aims to redefine each GTA series. We have seen this in the past with CoD Cold War, which failed to deliver a groundbreaking experience. With GTA 6, Rockstar promises something entirely new and unprecedented.
GTA 6: Prepare to experience something entirely new. Rockstar Games is pushing the boundaries of gaming with this instalment, promising a gaming experience like no other.
There is a massive upgrade in terms of hardware and software, including the engine, connectivity, and hardware performance. With the technical invitation, GTA 6 will utilize locomotive technology, which will create more realistic character animation.
Under the hood, Rockstar has also been experimenting with different things with their titles, among which Red Dead Redemption 2 was released in 2018 with realistic graphics and great diligence. These things will carry forward with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
GTA 6 release date
There is no specific confirmed release date for GTA 6, and the official word from Rockstar Games’ parent company, Take-Two Interactive, indicated an expected release date of around 2025. However, such information came out during a May 2024 earnings call. So, it is essential to note that this time limit refers to the console release, with the PC version potentially coming later, more likely in 2026.
Reasons for GTA 6’s delay in the development time
There could be numerous reasons why GTA 6’s development took a long time while previous titles did not. I tried to figure it out and found that the development of new consoles, overlapping development cycles, and similar reasons extend the development time for Rockstar Games. So, these are the more dominant reasons to better understand.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on various industries, including game development. Even meticulous studios like Rockstar have had to adapt to remote work environments, leading to delays as they adjust to new workflows and communication formats. Additionally, team members falling ill could further hamper development commitments, underscoring the pandemic’s disruptive influence on GTA 6’s development timeline.
- Development for New Generation Consoles: Since the release of advanced consoles such as PS5 and Xbox Series X, developers have had more exciting possibilities. But of course, some hurdles are also welcome aside from it. These machines boost important graphics and processing power compared to before. Get such processing speed, studios like Rockstar must push technical boundaries, optimizing GTA 6 to leverage new hardware for stunning visuals and a more thrilling experience. It seems like a balancing act that requires extra development time.
- Overlapping of the Development Cycle with Red Dead Redemption 2: You know that Red Dead Redemption 2 is another blockbuster title for Rockstar Games. And, of course, development for GTA 6 overlapped to some extent. Rockstar is known for prioritizing single-player experiences, so focusing on polishing Red Dead Redemption 2 before the full-scale GTA 6 transition would appear logical. Such an overlay involves transitioning key team members with relevant experience to GTA 6 while finalizing Red Dead Redemption 2. Sharing resources during such a period also extended GTA 6’s development cycle.
Conclusion
Rockstar’s commitment to crafting meticulously detailed worlds, navigating the challenges of new console technology, and a global pandemic has led to a longer development time for GTA 6. However, this wait has only heightened the anticipation for this next instalment in the iconic franchise. With Rockstar’s unwavering commitment to quality, fans can rest assured that they can expect a polished and immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of open-world gaming. Let us delve into the exact time it took to develop GTA 6.
