GTA 6 or Grand Theft Auto 6 (stylised as GTA VI) is set to release in 2025. The trailer for the same was released by Rockstar Games late last year. The trailer which has garnered 174 million views on YouTube, shows off shiny visuals, and a dense and detailed Vice City. Just hours before the official release was set to release, it got leaked which forced Rockstar Games to release it immediately. In response to the leak, the developer posted the official trailer on X (formerly known as Twitter), urging viewers to watch the authentic version on YouTube, stating, "Our trailer has leaked, so please watch the real thing on YouTube." Now, around two months after the incident, the CEO of Rockstar owner Take-Two has said that the leak was 'disappointing'.
Prior to the company's quarterly earnings call on Thursday, CEO Strauss Zelnick told IGN that the trailer leak was 'disappointing' but it did not hurt the team at Rockstar and its parent company. IGN quoted him as saying, "In terms of the leak, that's always disappointing for the team, but ultimately, I don't think it hurt us.” He later added that the team was delighted when the official trailer 'broke the internet'.
Zelnick On Earlier Leak
His statement echoed comments from last February when he addressed a separate leak that revealed in-development footage from GTA 6. He then claimed that the leak was an 'emotional matter' rather than a business one. He said, "We take leaks very seriously indeed and they disappoint all of us, it's really frustrating and upsetting to the team. However, as a business matter, we're not affected. But as a personal matter and an emotional matter, our teams are affected."
The development of GTA 6 has been marked by extensive speculation and leaks, notably a major incident in September 2022 where a hack resulted in the release of over 90 videos showcasing in-development gameplay. These leaked videos unveiled the game's two protagonists and its setting in Vice City. Subsequently, Rockstar officially confirmed these details by releasing the GTA 6 trailer, introducing the two playable characters — Lucia and her presumed partner (likely Jason) — and revealing Leonida, inspired by Miami, as the game's location.