Rockstar could be following the Red Dead Redemption 2 playbook with GTA 6's release — here's what that could mean for trailer 3, the gameplay reveal, and more | Tech Radar
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Rockstar could be following the Red Dead Redemption 2 playbook with GTA 6's release — here's what that could mean for trailer 3, the gameplay reveal, and more
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Red Dead Redemption 2 is just one of the spectacular games on Xbox Game Pass (Image credit: Rockstar games)
With Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders live right now, many are wondering when the next big trailer will be. We've only had two released so far, and while they're both great showcases of the game's visuals, neither has really shown us any proper gameplay or explained any potential new mechanics.
This would normally be pretty unusual—when was the last time you can remember being offered the chance to pre-order a game before you'd even seen any gameplay footage?—but not a big surprise coming from developer Rockstar Games.
In fact, the GTA 6 marketing so far has played out in a very similar fashion to that of the studio's last release, Red Dead Redemption 2, and I think that looking back at the past gives us a pretty good idea of what to expect this year.
If you're looking for a GTA 6 PS5 pre-order, then Amazon is an easy choice for convenience and one of the lowest prices by two cents. You can also get the game at the retailers below.
Walmart -
Those in the UK looking for a PS5 pre-order have a variety of options with Amazon as an obvious easy choice. A host of other retailers like the ones below have stock too.
EE - £68 | Currys - £69.99 | Argos - £69.99 | Very - £69.99 | Shop To - £69.85
Xbox owners in the US can also lock down a GTA 6 pre-order at Amazon for ease or via the other retailers below.
Walmart -
Xbox players also have plenty of options in the UK, and can take their pick from a whole bunch of retailers to secure their GTA 6 pre-order.
EE - £68 | Currys - £69.99 | Argos - £69.99 | Very - £69.99 | Shop To - £69.85
After a few cryptic teasers, the first Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer dropped on October 20, 2016. It didn't tell us that much beyond introducing the setting and giving us our first look at the open world.
It also ended with a release window, Fall 2017, which Rockstar failed to hit with the game actually finally releasing in 2018.
GTA 6 is still poised for November 19, 2026, and marketing starts very soon
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The GTA 6 similarities should be obvious already. GTA 6 Trailer 1 was released in December 2023 and mainly focused on the upcoming game's Vice City setting and, just like Red Dead Redemption 2, gave us a 2025 release window that eventually turned out to be a year out thanks to delays.
It took practically a whole year for the next Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer to appear, a big gap that we saw replicated when the second GTA 6 trailer took 518 days to arrive.
There was then a much smaller seven-month wait between Red Dead Redemption 2 trailers 2 and 3, and I suspect we'll see a similar pattern this time. It's been over 400 days since GTA 6 trailer 2, so a third gameplay trailer coming in the next few weeks would still represent a smaller gap than that initial 518 days.
I wouldn't be surprised if Rockstar Games has one in the bank for when GTA 6 pre-order hype starts to wane as a way to give sales a boost.
Before we dive in, here's how to get your hands on a GTA 6 pre-order if you haven't placed one yet.
GTA 6 pre-orders could be imminent, according to a new Best Buy 'leak'
'No collector's edition?': as GTA 6 pre-orders go live, Rockstar could face scrutiny if it pulls the same move as it did with Red Dead Redemption 2
Fans mourn what would have been GTA 6's launch today — 'My girl surprised me with $100 today and thought GTA 6 was coming out tomorrow'
Red Dead Redemption 2 received two meaty gameplay trailers: one 85 days before its release and another 25 days before.
It seems Rockstar likes to wait as long as possible before actually showing gameplay and, if GTA 6 follows the same pattern, we're likely seeing our first glimpse of gameplay about three months before launch.
That means the first gameplay trailer is likely to drop sometime in early August. The second could then follow in late October, or even right at the start of November, when the November 19, 2026, release date is right around the corner.
GTA Online launched on October 1, 2013 — just a few weeks after GTA 5 hit shelves.
Red Dead Online followed a similar trajectory. It rolled out to players in a beta state on November 30, 2018 (or a few days earlier for Ultimate Edition owners).
Both modes received standalone releases a few years down the line.
The Play Station Store listing for GTA 6 states that the game is strictly a "single-player experience," which rules out availability at launch. I predict that it will arrive in some form in December, even if that's just as an early access beta.
If the previous games are anything to go by, this would be followed by a full release in 2027 and a standalone version a few years later.
Red Dead Redemption 2's PC port took roughly a year to arrive, dropping in November 2019. As the most recent Rockstar Games release, I think it could give us an idea of when a GTA 6 PC version is likely to arrive.
I predict that it will come out in December 2027 if it follows the same pattern. This might even coincide with the full release of GTA 6 Online in order to really drum up the excitement.
Of course, all of this is speculation based on past events, and the release timeline could play out in any number of ways. We'll just have to wait and see whether Rockstar has any curveballs in store.
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Dash is an experienced tech journalist who specializes in video games, electronic entertainment products, and the wider industry that surrounds them. He currently serves as the Gaming Editor at Tech Radar, leading our review, preview, feature, and news coverage of the latest and greatest releases.
Before joining the team, he was Contributing Writer at PLAY (formerly Official Play Station Magazine UK) and has written articles for many of the UK's other biggest gaming magazines including the likes of Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.
Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
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