GTA 6 beginner tips: what to know before you start
Our GTA 6 beginner tips get written once the game is out on Thursday, November 19, 2026 and we have played enough to know what helps. Until then, here is what you can do before launch and the basics Rockstar has confirmed.
This guide fills in at launch
On this page
Pre-load and free up space
Pre-load starts on November 10. On PS5 it starts at midnight local time; on Xbox Series X|S at midnight GMT, the same moment everywhere. Rockstar says you need up to 212 GB of free space, depending on the console.
When you can start playing
GTA 6 unlocks at midnight local time on November 19 in each store region, so New Zealand plays first and the Americas play last. There is no way to play early. These times come from the PlayStation Store and Xbox store listings and can change before launch.
Get to know Leonida
Two leads, Jason and Lucia
You play as Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. Lucia is just out of the Leonida Penitentiary when the story starts, and Jason runs jobs for a smuggler in the Leonida Keys.
Tips for your first hours
This section fills in after the game is out on Thursday, November 19, 2026, with tips we have checked in the game: controls, settings worth changing, and early things not to miss.
Sources
Grand Theft Auto VI pre-load begins on November 10 (opens in a new tab)
Rockstar's pre-load post: the pre-load start on November 10, the 212 GB size, and the November 19 release.
Grand Theft Auto VI pre-load FAQ (opens in a new tab)
Rockstar's support article on pre-loading, with the same dates and size.
Grand Theft Auto VI store listing (opens in a new tab)
The store listing gives the unlock time in each PlayStation region.
Grand Theft Auto VI store listing (opens in a new tab)
The store listing gives the unlock time in each Xbox region.
Grand Theft Auto VI official site: people and places (opens in a new tab)
Rockstar's descriptions of the six areas of Leonida and the character bios for Jason and Lucia.
YANIS GTA VI Community Map data (gtadb.org, CC BY 4.0) (opens in a new tab)
The fan made community map our map is drawn on, with estimated positions.
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- Release, pre-load, and trailer news when Rockstar posts it
- Rumors and leaks, each marked confirmed, reported, or rumored
- New guides and wiki pages as the game unfolds
