GTA 6: Everything you need to know about Rockstar's next open-world epic

Grand Theft Auto VI is Rockstar's next open-world crime game, set in a modern-day Vice City with two playable protagonists who run heists and build a criminal empire together. The game uses new technology, but the studio has not announced a release date.

What is the story and setting?

GTA VI takes place in Vice City, Rockstar's fictionalized Miami, updated for the modern era. You play as two protagonists—a criminal couple inspired by Bonnie and Clyde—who work together to pull off heists and rise through the underworld. Rockstar has confirmed one protagonist is named Lucia. The game promises a Bonnie-and-Clyde dynamic with two characters you can switch between, similar to the three-character system in GTA V but focused on a partnership.

Vice City first appeared in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, set in the 80s with neon, pastel suits and a Tommy Vercetti you couldn't help but root for. This time it's modern-day, which means smartphones, social media and whatever chaos Rockstar decides to satirize about Florida in the 2020s.

When is the release date?

Rockstar has not confirmed a release date for GTA VI. The studio announced the game and showed a trailer, but no launch window or year has been locked down publicly. Given Rockstar's history and the scale of their games, it's safe to say you'll be waiting a while. Check Rockstar's official site or newswire for updates, because anything else is guessing.

What do we know about gameplay?

Details on gameplay are limited. Rockstar has confirmed the dual-protagonist setup, suggesting you'll switch between them during missions or free-roam, likely with different skills or roles in heists. The studio has said the game is built on new technology, which implies a new engine or toolset under the hood, but they haven't detailed what that means for physics, AI, world density or online modes.

Expect the core GTA formula: open-world exploration, story missions, side activities, vehicle variety and the kind of emergent chaos the series is known for. Rockstar hasn't shown shooting mechanics, driving physics, mission structure or whether the wanted system has changed, so it's too early to say how it plays in your hands.

Will GTA Online carry over or start fresh?

Rockstar has not said whether GTA Online will continue on GTA V's framework, migrate to GTA VI or run as a separate mode. GTA Online launched alongside GTA V and has been updated ever since, making Rockstar a fortune. It's reasonable to expect some form of multiplayer or live-service component in GTA VI, but whether your GTA V progress, purchases or properties carry over is unknown. Rockstar will likely detail online plans closer to launch.

What platforms will it be on?

Rockstar has not confirmed platforms for GTA VI. GTA V launched on older consoles, then was ported multiple times to newer hardware and PC. Given the gap since GTA V and the new tech Rockstar mentioned, expect current-gen consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) and PC, but Rockstar hasn't said so officially. If you want to play it on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, you're likely safe, but wait for confirmation.

Is it worth the wait?

If you spent your allowance on the GTA games of the PS2 era, or sank hundreds of hours into GTA V and Online, you already know the answer. Rockstar's track record speaks for itself: massive worlds, sharp satire and gameplay that sets the bar for open-world games. The dual-protagonist angle and return to Vice City are promising, and the tech investment suggests Rockstar is thinking long-term.

The unknowns—release date, gameplay details, how the story handles the Bonnie-and-Clyde premise without preaching—mean it's too early to pre-order or clear your calendar. But if Rockstar delivers what it usually does, GTA VI will be the game everyone's talking about when it finally arrives. Keep an eye on Rockstar's announcements, and in the meantime, earlier GTA titles are available on modern platforms if you want to revisit where it all started.

Quick answers

When does GTA 6 come out?

Rockstar has not announced a release date for Grand Theft Auto VI. No year or launch window has been confirmed publicly.

What is GTA 6 about?

GTA VI follows two protagonists, a criminal couple in modern-day Vice City, as they pull heists and build a criminal empire together in a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style story.

Will GTA 6 be on PC?

Rockstar has not confirmed platforms for GTA VI. Based on the series' history, expect current-gen consoles and eventually PC, but wait for official word.

Can you play as a woman in GTA 6?

Yes, one of the two playable protagonists is a woman named Lucia. You'll switch between her and the other protagonist during the game.