Grand Theft Auto VI nears launch after eight years development and over US$1b in spending

Paris, November 6 - Grand Theft Auto VI is set to launch in just two weeks, marking the culmination of nearly a decade of development and a budget exceeding $1 billion. As the most expensive video game title ever created, GTA VI is poised to break sales records when it debuts on November 19. The long-awaited installment, which follows a 13-year gap since its predecessor, has generated significant anticipation thanks to a massive marketing campaign that began in late 2023 with the release of the first official trailer.

The game's developers, Rockstar Games, have invested years in crafting a new world for players to explore, where they can engage in gangster activities and immerse themselves in a fictional version of Miami, Vice City. Notably, GTA VI features two main characters, Jason and Lucia, with Lucia being the first female playable protagonist in the franchise's extensive history.

Despite the game's controversial reputation for graphic depictions of violence and sex in previous editions, Rockstar Games has maintained the high standards for which the franchise is known. Analysts predict that GTA VI will not only shatter sales records but also have a profound impact on the entire video game industry, potentially influencing console sales and accessories.

Pre-sales alone have generated around $750 million, with nearly one-third of the 49 million PS5 and Xbox Series users in the United States expressing intent to purchase the game.