Grand Theft Auto VI pre-sales set to begin next week

WASHINGTON: Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI), one of the most eagerly anticipated video game releases in history, will open on 25 June, developer Rockstar Games announced on Thursday.

The highly anticipated title is scheduled for release on 19 November following two delays. It marks the latest instalment in the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto franchise and will arrive more than 13 years after Grand Theft Auto V, which remains the second best-selling video game of all time.

Rockstar Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, revealed the pre-order date in a post on X, confirming that purchases will be available through digital storefronts and selected retailers. The company also unveiled the game's official cover artwork but stopped short of announcing its retail price.

Industry analysts expect GTA VI to launch with a base price of around $80, citing recent remarks by Take-Two chief executive Strauss Zelnick and broader industry trends. 

Earlier speculation had suggested the price could rise to as much as $100, potentially setting a new benchmark for major video game releases.

Since its debut in 1997, the Grand Theft Auto series has become one of the most successful and controversial franchises in gaming. 

Players assume the roles of criminals navigating vast open-world environments, engaging in activities ranging from vehicle theft and robberies to gang conflicts and other illicit pursuits.

The latest instalment returns to the fictional setting of Vice City and follows a criminal duo, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Lucia will become the franchise's first playable female protagonist in a mainline title.

The game was originally expected to launch in 2025. Early trailers revealed a modern take on Vice City, a location heavily inspired by Miami.

Despite its immense popularity, the franchise has long attracted criticism over its depiction of violence, crime and adult themes. Critics have argued that the games glorify criminal behaviour, allegations that Take-Two Interactive has consistently rejected.

The expectations surrounding GTA VI are unprecedented. Speaking recently about the anticipation, Zelnick described the situation as “very, very exciting and terrifying” because of the extraordinarily high expectations attached to the release.

Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, generated $1 billion in sales within just three days of launch, making it the fastest entertainment product at the time to reach that milestone. 

The game has since sold more than 230 million copies worldwide, ranking behind only Minecraft among the best-selling video games ever released.

Meanwhile, GTA Online, the multiplayer component of GTA V, has remained a significant revenue generator for Rockstar and Take-Two for more than a decade, helping to sustain interest in the franchise as fans await the arrival of GTA VI.

Although development has faced delays and reported challenges, the upcoming release is widely expected to become one of the biggest launches in entertainment history.