When will we finally get our hands on Grand Theft Auto 6? It's a question that's been on our minds since GTA V first launched back in 2013. This is easily the longest we've ever gone between entries in Rockstar's open-world crime franchise, and we haven't really had much (or any) indication as to when the new game is expected to arrive.
The good news is that a new report from VentureBeat sheds a little more light on the situation - albeit not much. It's important to note that nothing here is confirmed, and there's a degree of speculation and guesswork involved. Incredibly educated guesswork from people who know what they're talking about, yes, but guesswork all the same.
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With that disclaimer out of the way, it's currently believed that Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two plans to launch Grand Theft Auto 6 between April 2023 and March 2024, around ten years after the launch of GTA V. A recent filing shows that Take-Two expects to spend $89 million on marketing during the 12-month period ending March 31, 2024, a considerable bump up from its usual fare.
Why the spike in spending? According to a report from analyst Jeff Cohen of investment firm Stephens, it's because this is the period Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to arrive. Cohen points out that Take-Two had previously notified investors of a spike in marketing costs for fiscal 2023, but this has now shifted to fiscal 2024. The assumption here is that the company's plans for Grand Theft Auto 6 have changed slightly.
"We are not sure how much we should be reading into this shift, but we would note that this disclosure accurately predicted the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 prior to that game's announcement," Cohen wrote to investors.
"[Take-Two management] has spoken very confidently about the pipeline over the next five years and existing live services execution has been excellent. However, the timing of the next Grand Theft Auto remains top-of-mind for investors, particularly with the stock near all-time-highs."
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Back in April it was reported that the new Grand Theft Auto was finally in development, although it was still early days for the project. Given the scope and scale of most Rockstar titles, a 2023 release date wouldn't be so out of the ordinary - especially if work on the game really has only just started in earnest.
It sounds like we're in for a bit more of a wait, then. Of course, given the way GTA V continues to shift units, I can't imagine Rockstar is in much of a hurry to get Grand Theft Auto 6 out the door.
Featured Image Credit: Rockstar GamesTopics: Rockstar Games, GTA 6, Take-Two, GTA V