Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, announced on Thursday that the highly anticipated video game “Grand Theft Auto VI” (GTA VI) will be released in the fall of 2025.
This update narrows down the previously vague release window provided by Rockstar, which had initially suggested a launch next year without further specifics.
The announcement came during the release of Take-Two’s earnings figures, although a precise release date has yet to be set. “Consumer anticipation for the title is unprecedented, and our expectations for its commercial success continue to increase,” Take-Two stated. However, executives were reticent about offering additional details during an earnings call.
“Rockstar hasn’t given any details on what its expectations are for the release,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick told analysts. He added that a “wonderful trailer” had generated massive online excitement and hinted that more information would be disclosed by Rockstar in due course.
The trailer reveals that GTA VI will be set in a fictional version of Vice City, reminiscent of Miami, and will feature the first playable female character in the franchise. Set to Tom Petty’s song “Love Is A Long Road,” the trailer opens with a female character named Lucia being released from prison in a fictionalized Florida. In the trailer, Lucia and her male partner in crime are seen preparing for a heist, suggesting a “Bonnie and Clyde” dynamic.
Fans were quick to pick up on this potential storyline, noting the duo’s teamwork in a scene where they burst into a store with pistols drawn and faces covered.
GTA VI follows the decade-old GTA V, which has sold over 200 million copies according to Zelnick. The series’ immense popularity has not been without controversy, as critics have accused Grand Theft Auto of glorifying violence and promoting criminal behavior—allegations that Take-Two executives have consistently denied.
GTA V, for instance, allowed players to engage in various illicit activities, including drug dealing, theft, and car rampages. The game also featured controversial options like assaulting sex workers and visiting strip clubs, drawing criticism from activists.
With the upcoming release of GTA VI, the franchise continues to stir excitement and debate, promising another blockbuster entry in the iconic series.
