All You Need To Know About GTA 6: Release Date, Maps, Story, Characters, More
Dozens of new screenshots have confirmed the scale of the map, hinting that GTA 6 could redefine what players expect from an open-world game.
GTA 6: After years of speculation and growing fan demand, Rockstar Games has finally locked in a release date for Grand Theft Auto VI — but it’s arriving later than initially planned. The studio has now confirmed a global launch for May 26, 2026, pushing back its earlier Fall 2025 target. Despite the delay, the buzz around GTA 6 continues to skyrocket, fueled by a second explosive trailer that offers a deeper dive into the game’s expansive world and central characters.
Mark Your Calendars: GTA 6 Launching May Next Year
Rockstar Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will officially hit PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles on May 26, 2026.
Older-generation consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One won’t be getting the title, and there’s still no word on when — or if — a PC version will follow. The publisher, Take-Two Interactive, confirmed the console platforms but remained tight-lipped on whether enhancements for the expected PS5 Pro will be included.
The game’s global release will roll out in staggered time zones. In Europe and Asia, players can begin exploring the new Vice City world at midnight local time. On the US East Coast, the game unlocks at 12 AM ET, while players on the West Coast can dive in starting 9 PM PT on May 25, 2026.
Acknowledging the shift in launch plans, Rockstar took to social media to thank fans for their ongoing support, stating, “Rockstar Games is trying to create the best thing anyone's ever seen in entertainment.”
A Modern Vice City and a New Outlaw Duo
The second trailer has offered a vibrant and gritty peek into the fictional state of Leonida, with a central focus on a reimagined Vice City. The story revolves around two protagonists: Lucia Caminos, recently out of prison, and Jason Duval, her ride-or-die partner in crime. Their journey begins with a botched heist and spirals into a far-reaching conspiracy that stretches across Leonida’s diverse regions.
From high-octane car chases and intense shootouts to prison escapes and quieter bonding scenes, the game promises a narrative that’s as cinematic as it is chaotic. Rockstar is positioning Lucia and Jason as a “Bonnie and Clyde”-inspired duo, and the game’s tone reflects a mix of danger, dark humour, and emotional stakes.
New Faces, Fresh Settings, and Rockstar’s Biggest World Yet
Supporting characters in GTA 6 add to its narrative depth and cultural flavour. There’s Jason’s grounded friend Cal Hampton, flamboyant strip-club owner Boobie Ike, up-and-coming musician Dre’Quan Priest, social media rap duo Bae-Luxe and Roxy (Real Dimez), grizzled bank robber Raul Bautista, and seasoned smuggler Brian Heder.
The world they inhabit is just as dynamic. From Vice City’s neon-lit streets to the sun-drenched beaches of the Keys, from the rugged terrain of Mount Kalaga National Park to the industrial biker stronghold of Ambrosia — GTA 6 aims to deliver Rockstar’s most visually rich and diverse environment yet. The swamplands of Grassrivers and the nightlife of Port Gellhorn add further texture to what looks to be an expansive, lived-in open world.
Dozens of new screenshots have confirmed the scale of the map, hinting that GTA 6 could redefine what players expect from an open-world game.
While fans now have to wait until 2026, Rockstar is betting that this time, patience will pay off.
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