Rockstar Might Release GTA 6 on GTA 5's 12th Anniversary

Rockstar Games has officially confirmed the existence of GTA VI, which promises to be the biggest and most immersive evolution of Grand Theft Auto yet. While many anticipated that GTA 6 would launch sometime in Fall 2025, a former Rockstar animator, Mike York, has shared his thoughts on how the game will function. Mike sets his expectations after being asked whether Rockstar will shoot for 30 or 60 FPS in GTA VI.

Mike also stated that he doesn't know if Rockstar would be able to achieve 60 FPS. He believes they'll be shooting for 30 FPS, with a locked 30 frames per second, which means it never drops below that. They'll aim to optimize it as much as possible so that it never falls below 30 but can be increased to 40, 41, or 52. But we think that once it's on PC, it will be heavily optimized and altered, and by then, new graphics cards will be released, allowing GTA VI to run at 60 FPS. Currently, GTA VI can run at 60 FPS on the PlayStation 5, but keep in mind that the game was first released on the PS3 in 2013, so it has had plenty of time to be tuned.

Moreover, with the graphics brilliance shown in the GTA VI trailer, achieving a consistent 30 FPS would be a minor technological marvel. According to Mike, "It'll come out at 60 FPS, unless it's obtaining those 60 FPS using an AI upscaling like the PlayStation is doing, or until something comes in and helps it get those 60 FPS. I don't think it'll reach this 60 FPS raw out of the box on a base console like the PS5, maybe the PS5 Pro or something, but I still don't think so."

Mike also stated that he has no idea how big this is going to be, but based on his experience, they're going to squeeze every last possible thing out of it and then optimize later for 60 frames because it's not as important as making the game amazing at 30 frames. There is no way this game isn't super optimized at launch; if Rockstar decides to release GTA 6 at 30FPS, it will be locked with no dips below.

But, for some reason, he believes that GTA VI will have not just a 60 FPS mode in Performance mode but also a 30 FPS mode in Fidelity mode, or at the absolute least a 60 FPS mode only in GTA 6 Online. That way, we won't have to deal with GTA VI's 30 FPS online until the PC version is available. It's also worth noting that the PS5 Pro features the PSSR AI upscaling tech and improved ray tracing.

Thus, GTA VI may only be released with a 60 FPS setting on the PS5 Pro and 30 FPS on the Xbox Series X|S and standard PS5. On the other hand, it is also claimed that Xbox will release its next-generation system, Xbox Prime, in 2026. Xbox Prime will have the technology to increase FPS to 60, so this could be how it is done in the future.

Then there's the question of when GTA VI will be released. While Rockstar Games has remained tight-lipped about specifics, fans, and industry, insiders speculate that GTA VI will be released on or around the anniversary of Grand Theft Auto V's debut, providing a brief refresher for those who need it. GTA V was released on 17 September 2013 and has gone on to become one of the most successful games of all time. Releasing GTA VI on or around that date would be a lyrical full-circle moment and a savvy marketing move that capitalized on its predecessor's memories and history.

Rockstar is no stranger to notable release dates. The studio has a history of aligning its releases with significant milestones or events that resonate with fans. For example, Red Dead Redemption 2 was published in October 2018, near the anniversary of the original game. If Rockstar follows a similar pattern, the September 2025 release date for GTA VI would coincide exactly with the 12th anniversary of GTA V.

This schedule would also allow Rockstar to capitalize on the summer gaming news cycle leading into the holiday season, which is a prime window for blockbuster game releases. Of course, this is all guesswork, but the concept of a September 2025 release seems almost too good to pass up. Not only would it honor GTA V's reputation, but it would also allow Rockstar plenty of time to polish the game to their typically high standards.

Furthermore, with reports of a massive area, dual protagonists, and a return to Vice City, GTA 6 is shaping up to be a landmark release. A September release would also give the game a full quarter to dominate sales charts and award talks, solidifying its status as one of the decade's biggest titles even though there are indications that GTA 6 will raise sexism in the gaming industry.

Whether it's 2025 or 2026, one thing is certain: when GTA 6 comes out, it'll be a cultural event unlike anything we've seen in gaming, and if Rockstar chooses to release it on the anniversary of GTA V, it'll be a fitting tribute to the game that redefined open world genre and laid the groundwork for its successor to take the crown.