The day Grand Theft Auto VI is launched will look one thing like 28 Days Later. The streets will likely be a ghost city, workplaces will likely be stuffed with empty chairs, and faculties (sorry PEGI, however let’s face it) could have so many absences that the lecturers will begin worrying there could also be some kind of infectious illness they weren’t conscious of.
In spite of everything, while you’re speaking a few sequence whose final recreation is at the moment sitting at no fewer than 205 million copies bought worldwide, the query isn’t whether or not the sixth entry will likely be an infinite success, however simply how monumental that success will likely be.
There are only a few certainties in life, however GTA 6 being the largest media launch of 2025 is about as near a positive factor as you’ll be able to ever get. That’s what we do know, however it’s what we don’t that would decide whether or not the sport will stay as much as its astronomical hype.
It’s already recognized that we’re coping with two protagonists this time, together with the primary playable girl lead since 2000 (not the primary ever, as some declare). Lucia and her associate, whose identify nonetheless isn’t recognized on the time of writing – although earlier leaks recommend it’s Jason – look set to be the twenty first century mainstream’s model of Bonnie and Clyde, as they blaze a path of crime by Leonida (primarily based on Florida), taking in Vice Metropolis as a part of this.
The plot has solely ever been one part of GTA’s success, nonetheless, and whereas we’d think about will probably be strong sufficient once more, it’s the sequence’ popularity for satire that’s much less of a positive factor this time round. Rather a lot has modified within the 12 years between GTA 5 and GTA 6: it is a world that will likely be in its second Trump presidency, a world the place rampant social media toxicity, “pretend information” accusations, anti-‘woke’ narratives and deep pretend expertise are a day by day incidence for many individuals.
Again within the day, some humorous billboards, spoof radio adverts, and a satirical speak radio station or two had been all GTA wanted to be thought-about the chopping fringe of social commentary in a online game, however that technique might really feel archaic if it’s replicated this time round.
Will Rockstar’s writers in some way determine find out how to poke enjoyable on the highly effective and pitiful of right this moment’s society in a method that feels contemporary? It definitely isn’t deciding to again down from the problem: the sport’s first trailer contains quite a few easter eggs poking enjoyable on the likes of Fox Information, antidepressants, and all issues Florida, so it’s clear {that a} humorousness will stay intact, nonetheless profitable it finally ends up being.
The opposite full unknown is how the sport’s inevitable on-line part will look, and the way it’ll differ from the present GTA On-line. Will it substitute it fully? Will gamers have the ability to copy over the whole lot they earned within the GTA 5 model, or will they’ve to begin once more? Will solo gamers get to get pleasure from extra of it with out having to have interaction with others on-line?
The one factor that’s sure – apart from GTA 6’s ridiculous gross sales success, in fact – is that GTA On-line will completely be there, and for the lengthy haul too: an analyst cited by the Wall Avenue Journal steered {that a} decade on, GTA On-line was nonetheless making round half a billion {dollars} (sure, with a B) within the 12 months between Summer time 2022 and 2023.
Extra 2025 recreation previews:
