After years of rumors and eager anticipation, Grand Theft Auto fans may have finally gotten a promising hint about when the next installment in the series will arrive. A recent leak has surfaced, suggesting that GTA 6 could be set for a September 17, 2025 release—exactly 12 years to the day since GTA 5 first hit shelves.

The Source of the Leak

The leak originated from Spanish retailer XUruguay, which initially claimed to have inside information from PlayStation about upcoming product launches. Gaming site 80 Level reported that the store had listed the exact release date for GTA 6, causing a frenzy among fans eager for any official news.

However, shortly after the leak gained traction, XUruguay retracted its claim, stating that the listed date was merely a placeholder. The retailer issued an apology, clarifying that they had not received any official confirmation from Rockstar or PlayStation. According to their statement, the listing was based on speculation, and they regret any confusion caused among the gaming community.

Despite the retraction, the September 17 date has left fans intrigued. GTA 5 was released on the same date in 2013, so launching GTA 6 on this anniversary makes sense.

Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, recently reaffirmed its commitment to a Fall 2025 launch during an earnings call. CEO Strauss Zelnick did not confirm any specific release date, leaving room for further speculation. If the leaked date is true, this would align with Rockstar’s confirmation that the game is set to launch in Fall 2025.

GTA 6 Hype and Expectations

GTA 6 is already shaping up to be one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time. GTA 5 sold over 195 million copies since its release, making it one of the best-selling video games in history. The franchise has had an immense impact on internet culture, streaming content, and even music trends. With such a strong legacy, expectations for the next entry are sky-high.

If history is any indication, GTA 6 is expected to break records. GTA 5 generated $800 million in its first day and crossed $1 billion in just three days. Analysts predict that GTA 6 could surpass this, potentially hitting $1.5 billion in sales within the first 24 hours. Zelnick expressed confidence in the game’s success, stating that “results will speak for themselves.”

Rockstar released the first official trailer for GTA 6 in December 2023, confirming a modern Vice City setting and stunning graphical improvements. However, fans have been dissecting every frame of the trailer, spotting minor glitches and imperfections. Some players have debated whether these details suggest that the trailer was running in the actual game engine rather than being pre-rendered CGI.

Platform Availability

One major topic of speculation is whether GTA 6 will be a timed exclusive for PlayStation. The original leak suggested that the September 17 launch date might apply only to the PS5 version, with Xbox Series X/S and PC releases following later. While this claim remains unverified, it has sparked discussions about the impact of exclusivity on the gaming community.

What is confirmed, however, is that GTA 6 will not be available for previous-generation consoles like the PS4 or Xbox One. Players who haven’t yet upgraded to next-gen hardware will need to do so to experience Rockstar’s latest masterpiece.

Final Thoughts

While the leaked September 17, release date remains unverified, it has certainly fueled excitement and discussion within the gaming community. Whether or not Rockstar chooses to stick with this date, one thing is certain—when GTA 6 finally arrives, it will be a historic moment for the industry.

Until an official announcement is made, fans will continue to analyze every detail, speculate on potential features, and prepare for what could be the biggest gaming event of the decade. Stay tuned for further updates as Rockstar Games reveals more about its most anticipated title yet.