Rockstar Games has given its first in-depth look at upcoming blockbuster game Grand Theft Auto VI, debuting a 27-minute trailer composed entirely of in-game footage on Netflix. And while some elements are proving divisive, fans have been largely positive on the direction of what is expected to be the largest launch of an entertainment product in history.
Set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19, the game, which has been estimated to have cost about $US2 billion ($2.8 billion) to develop, follows Lucia and Jason, a fugitive criminal couple getting into scrapes across Vice City β a fictionalised version of Miami, Florida β and its surrounds.
The dual protagonists and their romantic relationship featured heavily in the footage, with some hints as to how their love affair will play out. It appears that while out in the open world players can choose which character to control, can instantly switch to the other, or use their phones to call them in for backup, to pull off a robbery or to hang out at the zoo. When theyβre together, the player can have them hold hands, or quickly switch between who is driving a vehicle and who is a passenger, whether theyβre relaxing or shooting a shotgun out a window.
In an interview with IGN, Rockstar North head of development Rob Nelson said the romance was optional, and players had the choice to play as platonic partners. Thereβs no gameplay benefit to exploring the relationship, though the story will change. The trailer showed other ways of influencing the protagonistsβ lives, similar to fan-favourite GTA entry San Andreas, including working out, eating and grooming.
Early looks at the game gave an ambiguous impression of the coupleβs relationship, indicating that they could potentially turn against each other early on. But this trailer makes it clear they will be a unit for the large bulk of the game, and that whatever trouble theyβre in (it sounds as though they could be working with police, or have some complicated secret agenda), theyβre in it together.
On online forums discussing the trailer, fans enthused about the look of the game and seemed excited by the prospect of managing a criminal coupleβs relationship. Many expressed disappointment about Jasonβs characterisation, however, specifically, his deep voice and monotone delivery. It will be interesting to see how heβs received once players can appreciate his arc through the whole game.
It has been 13 years since Grand Theft Auto V, a massive hit that topped bestseller charts for more than 10 years and made more than $14 billion in revenue, and US culture and politics has changed massively in that time. So many commentators have wondered whether Rockstar could keep its satire sharp and relevant, or if it may come off as out of touch given the protracted development cycle.
But the video may indicate that the funny stuff is taking a back seat. The opening scene features a surprisingly grim police raid on a drug house, with cops indiscriminately executing surrendering gang members and unarmed workers in their underwear. Later, while working as security for a coked-up VIP, Lucia is strangled by a violent gatecrasher until she manages to embed a stiletto in his eye.
If there are specific satirical jabs at the current state of affairs in America, theyβre not really hinted at in the trailer. There is a quick funny scene where a kid livestreaming on his phone animatedly asks his chat what he should do now that heβs been kidnapped, but in general, it appears to be familiar targets like the USβ predatory commercialisation of food, guns and drugs that will get the gags.
From a gameplay point of view, shooting, driving and interacting with the world appears to be a lot more fluid and seamless than before, which youβd expect given the previous game was two console generations ago. But most noticeable was how Rockstarβs characteristic focus on minuscule details has expanded along with the complexity and graphical fidelity of the scenes. The density of the areas and the level of animation is truly impressive; itβs a very expensive-looking game.
We also saw a significant influence on the game from Red Dead Redemption 2, the development teamβs most recent game released in 2018, including dynamic safehouses, expanded conversation options and the ability to study and document wildlife. That game featured a much more grounded and emotional story than previous GTAs, and was much slower with players able to take in the world and its many optional activities at their own pace. Itβs unclear what the pace will be like here, but we did see many such activities, including scuba diving, parachuting, boat racing and visiting strip clubs.
Demand for Rockstarβs new game has been immense, with parent Take-Two already raking in more than a billion dollars worth of preorders despite some players grumbling about the $130 price, some game features being locked behind the $160 Ultimate Edition, and the lack of an option to buy it on disc. Similarly, although some were upset that the new video was exclusive to Netflix (it will be posted on YouTube today at 11am), interest was high enough that the streaming service briefly crashed at 5am when the footage debuted.
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Tim Biggs is a writer covering consumer technology, gadgets and video games.Connect via X or email.