Rockstar Games forced to drop GTA VI trailer early due to leaks

After a decade-long wait, Rockstar Games has unleashed the Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) trailer a day ahead of the initially scheduled release due to leaks.

The most anticipated video game trailer in history, Grand Theft Auto VI, has been revealed a day earlier than planned by Rockstar Games.

The early release was prompted by leaks circulating online, giving eager fans an unexpected sneak peek into the gaming masterpiece, defying the scheduled premiere.

Rockstar Games acknowledged the situation with a post on X (formerly Twitter): “Our trailer has leaked, so please watch the real thing.”

The first trailer for the next instalment of Grand Theft Auto arrives ten years after the release of the previous instalment of the hugely popular and controversial action game. Picture: AFP

Grand Theft Auto VI trailer details

The trailer commences with a gripping scene featuring Lucia, one of the game’s dual protagonists, clad in a prison uniform, engaged in what appears to be a parole interview. It concludes with Lucia and her accomplice staging a heist on a store.

In between these dramatic moments, viewers are treated to TikTok-style snippets showcasing a myriad of illicit activities in the Florida-inspired setting, including encounters with alligators, high-speed car chases, encounters with flamingoes, visits to strip clubs, and lively rooftop parties.

The visuals alternate between the sun-drenched beaches and vibrant neon signs, creating a vivid portrayal of the city’s revelry and debauchery.

Lucia takes centre stage as the first female protagonist in an open-world GTA game, a groundbreaking departure from the franchise’s history. While the original 1997 top-down GTA featured four female avatars, they lacked voices and distinct personalities.

Accompanied by the fitting soundtrack of Tom Petty’s Love is a Long Road, the trailer marks the beginning of a months-long journey of anticipation and excitement leading up to the game’s release.

The trailer commences with a gripping scene featuring Lucia, one of the game’s dual protagonists, and the first since he original 1997 top-down GTA. Picture: AFP

Release date and platforms:

Rockstar Games officially confirmed the development of Grand Theft Auto VI on February 4, 2022.

Twelve years after the monumental success of Grand Theft Auto V and 26 years since the inception of the first Grand Theft Auto in 1997, Rockstar Games will release the next chapter in the iconic series – GTA VI — in 2025

Take-Two Interactive, the game’s publisher, has hinted at a potential revenue surge in 2024, with GTA 6 being a significant contributor.

Initial availability is expected on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC release anticipated a year later, following the release strategy of previous Rockstar titles.

Reactions and responses

The gaming community erupted with excitement, flooding the internet with reactions to what is undeniably the most anticipated video game trailer in history.

Australian YouTuber and gamer LazarBeam responded to Rockstar’s Twitter/ X post: “can’t believe it’s actually happening,” while Spotify reckons “GTA 6 radio is going to put” the streaming giant out of business.

Then there was tech journo Brian Krassenstein, who estimated that nearly 40 per cent of America would have seen Rockstar’s post, which at the time had 128 million views.

That number now sits at 1.9 million at the time of writing.

But none could encapsulate the anticipation better than Twitter/ X user greg, who posted the iconic screenshot from GTA San Andreas, captioned: “Ah s---, here we go again.”

As for the trailer, in just one hour, the YouTube view counter has already broken, with views currently sitting at 1,273,401 despite there being 3.6 million likes.

The premature release of the GTA VI trailer, triggered by an online leak, defied the scheduled premiere. Picture: AFP

GTA 6 leaks:

Earlier in 2022, a major security breach led to leaks of unfinished GTA 6 footage.

Approximately 100 videos surfaced online, offering an unprecedented look at the game’s development.

Despite Rockstar’s efforts to contain the situation, the leaks confirmed the authenticity of the footage, revealing insights into the game’s setting, characters, and the inclusion of a playable female lead character.

Having sold around 190 million copies, GTA V stands as the best-selling game in the United States for the past decade. The entire GTA franchise boasts a staggering 410 million units sold, according to Take-Two Interactive.

Wedbush analyst Nick McKay estimates that the predecessor GTA V and its ongoing online multiplayer extension have generated nearly USD$10 billion in revenue, underscoring the enduring success of the franchise.

—with AFP