GTA, short for Grand Theft Auto, is a video game series from Rockstar Games that has become a staple of the industry since it was first released in 1997.
With some extremely acclaimed titles like GTA: San Andreas and GTA: Vice City, players are always in for a treat whenever a new game in the series is announced. With their latest title in the series, GTA V, becoming a global success and raking in more than $8 billion in the process, fans are expecting Rockstar to cash in on all the money and hype and reveal the next title in the series: GTA VI or GTA 6.
I extended the chart back to 2012.
It’s easy to miss but you’ll be able to see GTA V launch sales here. pic.twitter.com/8GZXPpyeSS
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) May 22, 2020
However, there have been no trailers or teasers for the anticipated title. Instead, the fans have been treated to GTA V re-launching over new consoles. This caused some overzealous fans to take matters into their own hands.
Leaks have always been a plague in the video game industry. In 2022, a ‘leaker’ leaked some extremely sensitive information about GTA 6 by ransoming some critical insider information.
GTA 6 leaks and what we know so far
The leak left the development team of the game devastated and Take-Two, Rockstar’s parent company, tweeted about it saying it was a “painful affair”.
Rockstar itself tweeted about the leaks saying that it was “devastating” but ultimately, does not affect the development of the title and any other title, going forward.
A Message from Rockstar Games pic.twitter.com/T4Wztu8RW8
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) September 19, 2022
Rockstar quickly employed the FBI to investigate the leaks and trace them back to the hacker. FBI quickly came up with results and the perpetrator was arrested. The hacker turned out to be a 17-year-old boy that was part of the hacker group known as ‘Lapsus$’.
The leaker attempted to negotiate with Rockstar Games but was arrested by London Police. He has since then pleaded ‘not guilty’ and his current incarceration status remains unknown.
The leaked information gave everybody an insight that everybody hoped for Rockstar Games to make. The title is reportedly going back to Vice City and features the first female protagonist of the series, along with another male protagonist. This multi-protagonist format was previously used by GTA V, however, it had 3 male leads instead.
Not that there was much doubt, but I’ve confirmed with Rockstar sources that this weekend’s massive Grand Theft Auto VI leak is indeed real. The footage is early and unfinished, of course. This is one of the biggest leaks in video game history and a nightmare for Rockstar Games
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) September 18, 2022
A video was released along the leak that showed the alleged gameplay of the game with a female character which was confirmed by a journalist, Jason Schreier. He said that he confirmed with Rockstar Games and the leaks are “indeed real”.
The leaks managed to make the community happier at the cost of becoming a point of failure for Rockstar Games who have sworn they’ll keep delivering to their fans no matter the obstacle.
When is GTA 6 coming out?
So far, there have been no official announcements regarding GTA 6. The only announcement about the title was its development confirmation back in February 2022 by Rockstar itself.
Many of you have been asking about a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series.
With every new project, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we’ve previously delivered. We’re pleased to confirm that active development for the next entry in the series is underway.
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) February 4, 2022
The fans have been highly hyped about the game that has eluded them for a long time. With Rockstar only releasing one title after the release of GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, dubbed the “Wild West GTA”, the fans only hope that the next title lives up to the fun of GTA V and the realism of Red Dead Redemption 2.
With Rockstar Games officially working on GTA 6 since February 2022, the players expect to get at least a teaser by the end of 2023 or in the first quarter of 2024.