GTA 6 takes players to Leonida, with Vice City as a major location.
Rockstar Games confirms a midnight local launch for its long-awaited sequel, with downloads requiring up to 212 GB of storage.
Rockstar Games has confirmed the GTA 6 release for Thursday, November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The launch will end a wait of more than 13 years since Grand Theft Auto V arrived in 2013.
The studio says players will gain access at midnight local time in each region. That means the launch will follow regional clocks rather than one simultaneous worldwide opening.
Rockstar first announced the sequel in December 2023, with an initial release window of 2025. However, the schedule later shifted to May 2026 before moving again to November 19.
GTA 6 release: downloads, pricing and bonuses
Digital pre-loading began on November 10, allowing console players to download the game ahead of launch. PS5 downloads opened at midnight local time, while Xbox pre-loading started globally at 12:00 a.m. GMT.
The download requires up to 212 GB of storage, depending on the console. Rockstar has therefore advised players to check their available space before starting the download.
The Standard Edition carries a US price of $79.99, equivalent to Sh10,398. Meanwhile, buyers who purchase the digital Standard or Ultimate Edition before November 20 qualify for additional bonuses.
Those extras include the Vintage Vice City Pack and one free month of GTA+. However, pre-orders offer no early access: buyers must still wait until the scheduled launch to play.
Vice City returns in a new single-player story
The sequel takes place in Leonida, a fictional state inspired by Florida, with Vice City as a major location. Its story follows Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, two central characters who become involved in crime together.
At launch, GTA 6 will offer a single-player story experience rather than GTA Online-style multiplayer. Rockstar also plans to release a free digital poster and a map of Leonida on November 19. A physical version will follow later through the Rockstar Store.
The franchise began in 1997 and built its reputation on open worlds, driving, crime stories and satire. Meanwhile, GTA V’s online mode helped sustain that game’s popularity for more than a decade.
The new release follows that long run, bringing players back to Vice City through a different setting and central cast.
