Ten years, thousands of staff and a billion dollars: the exclusive inside story of Grand Theft Auto VI

Grand Theft Auto VI, the eagerly awaited latest installment of the iconic crime saga, is finally unveiled at Rockstar Games' headquarters in Scotland. The game, which has been in development for over a decade and reportedly costs more than $1 billion, takes players to Vice City, a neon-soaked parody of Miami, Florida. Despite its American roots, Rockstar North, the studio behind the series, is based in Edinburgh, part of the city's cultural fabric.

The team responsible for GTA VI, numbering nearly 5,000 people globally, has largely completed their work, leaving a small contingent to oversee the final touches before release. The studio is now taking a well-deserved break, with many employees looking forward to the 19th of November, the anticipated launch date.

As the countdown to the release continues, anticipation is at an all-time high. The game's first trailer garnered 300 million views on YouTube, and its release has become a global cultural event, with players across the world planning to experience it together. However, the development process has not been without challenges, including a high-profile employment tribunal case in Glasgow, where 34 employees claim they were fired for union organizing efforts.

The case, initially set to conclude in October, is now expected to continue right up to the game's release.

GTA VI marks a significant shift in the series, as it features the first female protagonist with headline billing, Lucia, alongside Jason, a fellow criminal. The game offers unprecedented choices, allowing players to freely switch between the characters' perspectives and engage in various activities, fostering a relationship between the two characters.

This dynamic introduces a new level of depth and transformation to the series, as players become the stewards of their characters' lives, with their choices and actions influencing the game's outcome.