The excitement for the next Grand Theft Auto game is at an all-time high. Following the release of Grand Theft Auto 6’s official teaser trailer, which came after it was leaked online, a smorgasbord of new information has flooded the internet, including the fact that it’s coming out on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X in 2025, possibly on April Fool’s Day two years from now.
And, while PC gamers may feel disappointed that Rockstar is telling them to kick rocks in the meantime again, the majority of fans who watched the trailer are salivating at the possibility of playing GTA 6 on one of the worst-kept secrets in the gaming industry.
Alex Smith, a developer with prior experience at the Sony-owned Bend Studio as well as Deviation Games and Ember Lab, has indicated that PlayStation has secured marketing rights for GTA 6. This is a strategic marketing partnership, which means the game isn’t exclusive to PS5. However, it does imply a marketing focus on the PS5 version of GTA 6, paving the way for potential cross-promotions between Sony and developer Rockstar.
Smith’s insights, along with the potential release of a mid-cycle refresh in late 2024, hint at a potential PS5 Pro bundle that would include the new console and a copy of GTA VI. This combination could be a game-changer in the market, given the anticipated high demand for the PS5 Pro and the predicted success of GTA 6.
While the specifics of pricing and release dates remain unconfirmed, and Sony is yet to officially acknowledge the PS5 Pro, such a bundle aligns logically with previous collaborations, such as the PS3 GTA 5 bundle launched in 2013 and other initiatives.
🚨BREAKING NEWS 🚨
PLAYSTATION will have the marketing rights for GTA6 on PlayStation 5.Furthermore:The game will not be released simultaneously on PC/Consoles, leaving for PC 1 year later. PLAYSTATION is already thinking Bundle with PLAYSTATION 5 PRO #GTA6 https://t.co/BKIMNMXrx0— Alex Smith (@AlexSmitk) December 1, 2023
Adding to the intrigue, Smith was the first to claim that GTA 6 will not see a simultaneous launch on PC and console, which turned out to be correct.
The base PS5, despite its power, has shown signs of reaching its limits with recent titles, indicating the potential need for a PS5 Pro. The PS5 Pro, with enhanced capabilities for 4K gaming, could be an ideal match for GTA 6, especially if it’s constrained to 30 frames per second. Such a pairing would address the demands of graphically intensive games and the evolving expectations of gamers.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, however, has downplayed the impact of mid-generation console upgrades, suggesting they’re not key factors in game development sales strategies. This perspective introduces a nuanced view into the conversation around the necessity and impact of such upgrades. But, Zelnick is also one of the few who firmly believes that a PS5 Pro is coming.
The trailer for GTA 6 has nonetheless set high expectations for an immersive experience in Vice City. The anticipation is palpable, with fans eager for a gaming experience that pushes current-gen consoles to their limits. With the PS5 already showing strain under graphically demanding games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the introduction of a PS5 Pro could be a timely and strategic move.
The potential collaboration with Sony for a PS5 Pro + GTA 6 bundle seems a plausible scenario. This bundling strategy aligns with the gaming industry’s trend of creating high-value packages to boost console sales. If the speculations hold true, the release of GTA 6 alongside a new and improved PS5 Pro could mark a significant moment, offering a superior gaming experience that fully harnesses the technological advancements of the new console generation.
In the meantime, GTA fans can feast their eyes on the first GTA 6 trailer, which has a couple of easter eggs and hidden details.
