LONDON: It's been an entire year since we last saw a new trailer for the gaming world's most anticipated release.
With pre-orders potentially days away, here is everything you need to know about Grand Theft Auto VI.
1. Pre-orders could be imminent – like, this week
A leaked email from US retailer Best Buy set the internet on fire earlier in May. An affiliate programme email references a promotional campaign for "GTA 6 Pre Order (Physical Game)" running from May 18 to May 21, 2026 – suggesting pre-orders could go live this week.
Several content creators posted screenshots of the email and gaming industry media are taking this as a credible indication that the game is about to go on sale.
2. The launch date is still November 19, the chief executive says
Take-Two chief executive Strauss Zelnick has publicly confirmed that GTA VI won't be adding to its 18-month delay, and confirmed the launch date of November 19, 2026 in an interview on YouTube in May.
"I think a lot of people will be calling in sick on November 19," Zelnick said at a games conference in April. The game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar officially announced the delay from an earlier window back in November 2025.
3. PC players will have to wait – probably until 2027
Bad news if you game on PC, as no PC release has been confirmed by Rockstar. Industry analysts and observers widely expect the PC version to follow sometime in 2027, consistent with Rockstar's historical pattern of releasing console versions first. For now, GTA VI is a console-exclusive launch.
4. It's likely the most expensive game ever made
The open-world game's development budget is estimated at between US$1bil (RM3.975bil) and US$1.5bil (RM5.96bil), according to industry analysts cited by Business Insider. Take-Two's own chief executive has only acknowledged it was "expensive." That makes it the costliest entertainment product in history, surpassing even the biggest Hollywood blockbusters.
5. The earnings call on May 21 could bring the final reveal
Take-Two holds its regular investor earnings call on May 21, 2026 – the same day the Best Buy affiliate campaign window closes. Industry experts widely expect Rockstar to use the occasion to break its long information silence and make a formal announcement about the November release, possibly including a new trailer or pre-order details.
6. You can meet the game's characters already
If you haven't already done so, visiting the game's website is well worth it to get an early glimpse at the characters and the sprawling open world of Vice City and the surrounding state of Leonida, loosely based on Miami and Florida.
It's unclear if another trailer will appear before the game's launch, but the official website is the next best thing, telling you everything from the "hunting, fishing and off-road trails" of Mount Kalaga National Park to the shady overlords and colourful characters of Vice City. – dpa
