GTA 6 development history: from the 2022 leak to launch
GTA 6 has been one of the most anticipated games in the world for years. Here is how its development played out in public, from Rockstar's first confirmation to pre-load.
On this page
When was GTA 6 announced?
Rockstar first confirmed that work on the next Grand Theft Auto was well underway in February 2022, in a message to players. It shared no name, setting, or date at the time.
The 2022 GTA 6 leak
In September 2022 a large batch of early development footage leaked online. Rockstar confirmed the leak, said it was disappointed, and said it did not expect any long term effect on development. The footage was rough work in progress, not a picture of the finished game.
Two trailers and two delays
Trailer 1 arrived in December 2023, a day early after it leaked, and promised 2025. In May 2025 Rockstar moved the game to May 26, 2026, alongside Trailer 2 and the site update. In November 2025 it moved again, to the current date.
The road to launch
Sources
Grand Theft Auto VI (opens in a new tab)
Summarizes Rockstar's February 2022 confirmation, the September 2022 leak and Rockstar's response, and both delays, with links to the original statements.
Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 1 (opens in a new tab)
The first trailer, which ended with a 2025 window.
Grand Theft Auto VI pre-load begins on November 10 (opens in a new tab)
Rockstar's pre-load announcement.
GTA 6 Supply Weekly
GTA VI news, launch times, and new guides in your inbox, with a confidence label on every story.
- 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
