Grand Theft Auto • Rockstar Games • Take-Two Interactive • Internet leak • Strauss Zelnick

Grand Theft Auto is a series of action-adventure games created by David Jones and Mike Dailly. Later titles were developed under the oversight of brothers Dan and Sam Houser, Leslie Benzies and Aaron Garbut. Wikipedia

A potential leak regarding the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 has surfaced, hinting at potential details about the game's reveal and release dates. However, it's crucial for fans to approach these claims with a considerable degree of skepticism. As of now, Grand Theft Auto 6 lacks an official release date and hasn't been unveiled to the public by Rockstar Games, the renowned developer behind the franchise. While Rockstar has acknowledged the game's development, they have remained tight-lipped about further information. Nonetheless, Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has dropped hints about when fans might anticipate the game's arrival. Zelnick has repeatedly alluded to the significance of Take-Two's fiscal year 25, suggesting that it will be a monumental period. While this doesn't serve as definitive confirmation, it does point to a potential release window between April 2024 and March 2025.

However, amidst the anticipation, a recent purported "leak" has begun circulating online, promising more precise details, provided it holds any validity. Allegedly, a leaked voice memo attributed to Strauss Zelnick claims that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be unveiled in October 2023, with the game's release scheduled for October 2024. Yet, skepticism arises due to certain inconsistencies. Critics have pointed out that the audio clip may be artificially generated, as Zelnick pronounces the Roman numeral "VI" as "vee-eye" rather than "six." Furthermore, the context and tone in which Zelnick discusses this information in the audio clip appear dubious. Some have also misunderstood the dates mentioned, mistakenly believing the leak suggests an announcement on October 23, 2023, and a release on October 24 of the same year. The intended message—whether the audio is authentic or not—is that the game would be revealed in October 2023, with its release occurring in October 2024.

Interestingly, the alleged leaked audio has experienced copyright strikes and removal from the internet. It's possible that this was orchestrated as part of a hoax to lend credibility to the leak. Fortunately, fans of the Grand Theft Auto series won't have to endure a lengthy waiting period to confirm or debunk these claims. If the leak proves true, the Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal will occur next month. Conversely, if it's debunked, fans should refrain from holding their breath for the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6. However, there remains a third possibility—a fabricated leak notwithstanding, Rockstar might still plan to unveil Grand Theft Auto 6 in October. Speculation about a GTA 6 reveal in the fall had been circulating even before the emergence of the "leaked" audio, further muddling the situation. In light of this uncertainty, GTA enthusiasts would be wise to temper their expectations and await official announcements.

In sum, Grand Theft Auto 6 remains in development, and fans eagerly await any nuggets of information regarding its release. While the recent leak has generated excitement, it's essential to remember that unverified sources should be taken with a grain of salt. Rockstar Games is known for their strategic marketing and carefully planned reveals, and any official updates regarding GTA 6 will undoubtedly come from them. Until then, the gaming community must exercise patience and discernment when encountering rumors and leaks, maintaining cautious optimism for the future of this beloved franchise.

Games: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, MORE

Developers: Rockstar Games, Rockstar North, MORE

Designers: Leslie Benzies, Imran Sarwar, Simon Lashley, David Jones, Billy Thomson

Genres: Action-adventure game, Open world

Publishers: Rockstar Games, Rockstar North, MORE

First release: Grand Theft Auto; 28 November 1997

Latest release: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition; 11 November 2021