Rockstar has released the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI, ending a 13-year wait for the next instalment in the blockbuster video game franchise.
The developer unveiled 27 minutes of gameplay footage captured entirely on a PlayStation 5 console, offering fans their first substantial look at the game ahead of its scheduled release on November 19.
The video debuted exclusively on Netflix, appearing on the streaming platform six hours before Rockstar published the images on its own official channels.
The trailer quickly amassed 5.5 million views on Rockstar's official YouTube channel alone.
Franchise success
The Grand Theft Auto series, an open-world action and adventure franchise centred on crime and driving, is one of the most successful entertainment properties in history. The first game launched in 1997, and the series has since seen five main entries alongside numerous special editions and expansions.
Rockstar first announced in February 2022 that a new edition was in development. Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, was released in 2013 and has sold approximately 230 million copies, contributing to the franchise's total sales of more than 470 million units worldwide.
Anticipation for the sixth instalment has led to massive early demand since pre-orders opened on June 25. Strauss Zelnick, the chief executive of publisher Take-Two, told analysts in early August that advance reservations had reached an unprecedented level.
Zelnick noted that the figures were so extraordinary that the company simply did not know how they would translate into final sales, adding that they did not want to claim victory prematurely.
State of Leonida
The new trailer confirms the game will focus on a pair of protagonists named Jason and Lucía. According to the developer's official synopsis, the pair have always known the odds are against them, but after an easy hit goes wrong, they are dragged into the darkest side of the sunniest place in the United States.
The synopsis adds that the protagonists find themselves caught in a criminal conspiracy spanning the entire state of Leonida, forcing them to trust each other more than ever to get out alive.
The early footage demonstrates a massive evolution in the game's immersive experience compared to previous entries. This immersion is further amplified in the Ultimate Edition, which Rockstar said features an exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons and top-tier action elements integrated into every aspect of Jason and Lucía's story.
Reception from specialist media and gaming influencers has been largely positive. Gaming website Eurogamer praised the detailed environments, dynamic montages, magnificent editing and the visual luxury of the overall package.
Advance downloads
Rubén Doblas Gundersen, the prominent Spanish YouTube personality known as El Rubius, visited the Rockstar North headquarters prior to the launch. He told his audience in a YouTube video that after watching the game for nearly three hours, he believed it was likely one of the best games in history.
Doblas Gundersen noted that his opinions were his own and sincere, adding that Rockstar had not paid him for his comments.
Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles on November 19. Players who pre-order the game before November 20 will receive the Vintage Vice City pack, which Rockstar described as a collection of items evoking an era when neon shone brightest.
Customers purchasing digital versions will be able to begin downloading the game in advance from November 12. Physical copies of the game will also include a download code and will be available from the same date to allow for pre-loading.
