On 4 February 2022 Rockstar Games confirmed for the first time that the next Grand Theft Auto was in active development. The Verge reported the statement, which Rockstar posted on its website alongside the date for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of GTA V. Reported
- NextSam Houser announces the first trailer for early December8 Nov 2023 · Rockstar Newswire
- NextTrailer 1 released5 Dec 2023 · Rockstar Newswire
- NextNewsDated, linked official updates.
What Rockstar said
Rockstar's statement was short. It acknowledged that fans had been asking about a new game because of how long GTA V had lasted, and said the studio's goal with every project is to "significantly move beyond" what it had done before. Then came the confirmation: active development of the next entry was well underway.
The post didn't name the game, give it a number, a setting, platforms or a date. The Verge pointed out that Rockstar didn't call it GTA VI, although the name would follow the pattern the series had used since GTA IV in 2008.
“We are pleased to confirm that active development for the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series is well underway.”
Why it mattered
By February 2022 GTA V was more than eight years old. It first came out on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, and the same Rockstar post said it was about to reach a third console generation, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, on 15 March 2022. The Verge noted that the gap after GTA V was already much longer than the five years between GTA IV and GTA V.
For players, this was the first official word that a sequel existed at all. Until then, everything about the next game came from rumours and reports.
What happened next
Rockstar didn't say anything else about the game for more than a year and a half. In September 2022 early development footage leaked, and Rockstar confirmed a network intrusion. On 8 November 2023 Sam Houser announced that the first trailer would come in early December, and Trailer 1 arrived on 5 December 2023 with the name Grand Theft Auto VI. The game now launches on 19 November 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Source
Reported Outlet report: The Verge · source dated
A news outlet reported this. Rockstar hasn't confirmed it. We summarise in our own words; read the source for the full post.
Related stories
- Sam Houser announces the first trailer for early December 8 Nov 2023
- Trailer 1 released 5 Dec 2023
- Rockstar confirms a network intrusion after GTA 6 footage leaks 19 Sep 2022
- Trailer 1 sets YouTube 24-hour records 6 Dec 2023
Related: Trailers · Release time by country.
All GTA 6 news, newest first →
FAQ
When did Rockstar first confirm GTA 6?
On 4 February 2022, when it said active development of the next Grand Theft Auto was well underway. The name Grand Theft Auto VI came with Trailer 1 in December 2023.
Did the 2022 statement give a release date?
No. It gave no name, setting, platforms or date.