Sigh. So a GTA 6 leak has broken cover that, so the rumor goes, reveals that the game isn't coming out anytime soon but actually as late as 2025, which right now is four years away.
The rumor was reported by GameSpot and stems from serial gaming leakster Tom Henderson, who has a background in leaking information about certain games ahead of official announcements.
To be very clear, though, Henderson says in his video that he is "not known for GTA 6 leaks" and all his information is based purely on "rumblings" that he has supposedly heard from unannounced sources, so we are very much in unsubstantiated rumor territory here.
- Getting GTA 6 on PS5 could give you this huge advantage over Xbox Series X
- GTA 6 can't come quickly enough for me after recent heist horror
On to that rumored date, though. Despite multiple leaks already indicating that GTA 6 isn't coming out anytime soon, the rumored 2025 release date hasn't been taken well by some gamers, apparently, and there's now being multiple reports in the media calling that out, such as this one. But in my mind the idea that someone could get upset about this release date or find it mind-boggling is crazy. Here's why.
Firstly, a GTA 6 release date of 2025 tells me that the game is 100 per cent being made to maximise the capabilities of the PS5 and Xbox Series X next-gen games consoles. And that's a really good thing. That will mean the open world the game delivers will truly be a next-gen experience and won't be, like Cyberpunk 2077 famously was, caught between two hardware generations.
Just think about it. If GTA 6 was coming out this year (or even next year) then it would of spent the vast majority of its development time in the last gen and Rockstar, even if it had been working on next-gen dev kits for years, wouldn't be able to just produce a next-gen console version anyway as not enough gamers have the actual consoles yet (thanks scalpers!). The install base just isn't there and that would of meant a dual last-gen and next-gen release, which absolutely would of held the game back.
Secondly, and to me at least this is the more important point, who really cares? GTA 6 will be impressive I am sure, and I am also sure it will likely set a new benchmark for open world games, but is it really going to do anything different game-wise than the past titles in the series? No, I don't think so at all. I think we'll get the same power-fantasy sandbox with poorly written characters and B-movie plotting.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
To be clear, I don't mean to stick the knife in to the GTA series unduly at all despite its well-documented flaws, as I've played and enjoyed (in part) all the games to date, but I just think GTA fanatics are already really well served with GTA V and GTA Online, which continues to do great numbers and will continue to get the GTA experience, so to speak, perfectly adequately until the next game comes out. There's also plenty of GTA clones available, too, such as Watch Dogs: Legion, that offer twists on the same gig.
Indeed, there's a lot of sense in my mind for Rockstar to take a "it's done when it's done" approach to GTA 6, as I think it will suit both the developer (in terms of sales, employee health and not tanking its reputation) and gamers (in terms of getting the most visually impressive, immersive next-gen open world gaming experience) for them to do so.
So, yes, while 2025 (if it is indeed that year – remember, this date is all based on anonymous "rumblings" heard by one man) is many years away right now, I don't think it is anything to get upset about and, really, when you take one look at both the PS5 games and Xbox Series X games coming down the pipe, it's hardly as if there aren't going to be amazing, jaw-dropping experiences landing in the meantime.
Rob has been writing about computing, gaming, mobile, home entertainment technology, toys (specifically Lego and board games), smart home and more for over 15 years. As the editor of PC Gamer, and former Deputy Editor for T3.com, you can find Rob's work in magazines, bookazines and online, as well as on podcasts and videos, too. Outside of his work Rob is passionate about motorbikes, skiing/snowboarding and team sports, with football and cricket his two favourites.
-
Netflix's new sci-fi with Stranger Things star has something for all the family
The Electric State, starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, is coming to Netflix in March 2025
By Mike Lowe Published
-
I review electric toothbrushes for a living and these are the 3 best deals on Amazon this week
If you're looking for a new electric toothbrush, you've come to the right place
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
Xbox rolls out the red carpet for Call of Duty with new accessories
Xbox has a bunch of accessory designs to celebrate the arrival of Black Ops 6
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
How to watch the new Xbox Games Showcase this week
Xbox's new online presentation is all about games, games, games – here's how to watch it live
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Playing games is good for you, it's official – well, one game in particular
Powerwash Simulator chills you out
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Your Xbox gets a neat new trick that could save a lot of time
Updates will finally be a bit easier
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
There's a smartwatch that can play Space Invaders, and it's much cheaper than Apple Watch
If you're going to clone a design, this is the way
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
The SNES is about to die all over again
Nintendo's ending repairs again
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
How to watch the PlayStation State of Play showcase today – 20+ new games for PS5 and PS5 Pro
Here's everything you need to know about the latest PS5 presentation
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Next PlayStation online presentation coming soon – could we get more on PS5 Pro?
It's time for more details
By Max Freeman-Mills Published