Take-Two's CEO says Rockstar has finished GTA VI. Here is the U.S. launch date, preload times, file size, price and the Nov. 21 Miami festival.
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said on Monday, Nov. 9, that Rockstar has completed development of Grand Theft Auto VI, 10 days before the game launches on Nov. 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Take-Two kept the date in its quarterly earnings materials, and the preload is already open. As of Tuesday, Nov. 10, here is what U.S. players need to know.
Is GTA 6 finished?
According to Output Lag's account of the earnings call, Zelnick said, "Right now, Rockstar has completed the development of GTA VI," and that the studio has done "their very best work." The Verge, which covered the same call, reported that his remarks suggest the game will not slip a third time after earlier delays.
One caution on wording. Take-Two did not say "gold" on the call, according to Output Lag. The term is the games industry's shorthand for a locked final build, and the outlet argues a finished game with preloads opening matches it. Rockstar has not put out its own announcement saying so. Day-one patches are still normal, so Output Lag notes the download could grow.
When can you preload GTA 6, and how much space do you need?
Xbox preloading opened at 12 a.m. GMT on Nov. 10, which was 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 9. On PS5, it starts at midnight local time on Nov. 10, according to Rockstar's newswire post. Preloading is for people who have already ordered the game.
Rockstar says to clear up to 212 GB, depending on your console. Output Lag reports the Xbox listing in Microsoft's store shows 225 GB, so check your own console's number before you start. The game unlocks at midnight local time on Nov. 19, per Output Lag. Physical copies are code-in-box with no disc, and retailers should have them starting Nov. 12, Rockstar has said, as Game Informer reported.
What does GTA 6 cost?
The Standard Edition is $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition is $99.99, according to The Verge's running coverage of Rockstar's announcement. Both come with the Vintage Vice City Pack. Take-Two has not published a pre-order number. Zelnick said pre-orders are tracking "far in excess" of initial expectations, and CFO Lainie Goldstein called the level "extraordinary," per Output Lag. Zelnick also said, "we still aren't ready to declare victory."
Output Lag also reports that Take-Two held its full-year net bookings outlook at $8 billion to $8.2 billion.
What is the GTA 6 festival in Miami?
Rockstar and PlayStation are putting on Grand Theft Auto VI: The Festival on Nov. 21 at Mana Wynwood in Miami, two days after launch. The official site lists Travis Scott, Cardi B, Metro Boomin, Don Toliver, Kodak Black, Justice (DJ set) and Tainy, among others. The Verge reports tickets are handled through a lottery on the festival's site. We could not find a price, so check the site before you plan a trip.
Confirmed and not confirmed
- Confirmed: Nov. 19 launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, preload open, up to 212 GB, $79.99 and $99.99 editions.
- Confirmed by Take-Two's CEO: development is complete.
- Not confirmed by Rockstar: a "gold" announcement, a day-one patch size, or any pre-order figure.
Our take
This is analysis, not reporting. The word "gold" gets thrown around loosely, and it matters less than what the CEO actually said on an investor call: the game is done and the date is staying put. A company that has moved this date twice would not say that casually. The practical advice is dull but real. Free up more than 212 GB if you can, since a patch could land before Nov. 19, and start the preload now rather than on launch night, when everyone else tries to download at once.
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Picture credit: Rockstar Games
