Grand Theft Auto enthusiasts can now secure their copy of GTA VI, the new title from Rockstar Games, after a 13-year hiatus. Sector analysts are already projecting that this will be the biggest launch in the history of the entertainment industry.
The game’s reservation remains open until November 19, 2026, the date set for its global debut. In the United States, the regular version is priced at US$79.99 (equivalent to R$413), and the Ultimate edition, which includes additional content, costs US$99.99 (about R$517).
Brazilian consumers can purchase the game digitally through the PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store. On both platforms, the prices are R$449.90 for the standard edition and R$549.90 for the Ultimate version.
The anticipation surrounding the arrival of this title is unprecedented, surpassing even the usually high expectations of the video game market.
“This is the biggest launch ever seen in the entertainment industry,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, analyst at Ampere Analysis, a renowned British consultancy, when addressing the impact of the new game.
According to projections by experts at Piper Sandler bank, Grand Theft Auto VI could reach the mark of approximately 45 million units sold even before its official availability on shelves.
The legacy and pressure of the global video game phenomenon
The demands imposed on the new game directly reflect the resounding success of its predecessor. Launched in 2013, GTA V registered sales of close to 230 million copies, consolidating itself as the second most sold video game in history, behind only Minecraft.
The previous title also marked a notable feat by surpassing the impressive figure of US$1 billion in revenue in just three days following its release.
Despite the continued success of GTA Online, the multiplayer modality set in the GTA V universe, the fan community has yearned for a new sequel to the main saga for years. The 13-year wait for a new chapter, something unusual for franchises of such magnitude, further intensified the desire for new things and fueled the cultural phenomenon.
The first images of GTA VI were only presented to the public in 2023. Since that date, each new trailer, official statement or leak speculation has generated enormous mobilization among millions of gamers on digital platforms.
“This is a true cultural phenomenon, and we have been preparing for this moment for many years,” said Charlotte Massicault, who serves as director of multimedia products at French network Fnac-Darty.
Stratospheric costs and the return to the Vice City environment
Market projections indicate that the development of GTA VI consumed a budget of between US$1 billion and US$2 billion. If confirmed, this value would place it as the most expensive production ever carried out in the entire entertainment industry.
The new game’s setting will transport players to an area based on Florida and Miami, bringing back the memorable universe of Vice City. This environment has been familiar to followers of the franchise since the launch of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, in 2002.
The central narrative will be led by the duo Jason and Lucia, characters who have been compared by experts to the iconic couple Bonnie and Clyde due to their dynamic.
As in previous titles in the franchise, players will have the freedom to engage in missions involving robberies, chases and other criminal activities, or choose to explore unrestrictedly the vast open world created by Rockstar.
The content present in the game continues to generate debate and criticism regarding the potential impacts on younger audiences. Consequently, games in the Grand Theft Auto series are rated for over 18s by the European PEGI rating system.