PC gamers who want to play GTA 6 on release will probably need to buy a console. According to a recent leak, the game will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S first. This aligns with Rockstar's traditional console-first release schedule, and so we think it's very likely to be true.
If you're a PC gamer and this news is devastating, then we're sorry, but it is quite likely to be true. If you want to play GTA 6 as soon as console players, you will almost certainly need to buy a console. On the plus side, the Series S remains insanely good value and PlayStation have just announced the PS5 Slim. So at least you have options.
GTA 6 Will Be Released On Console First, PC Players Need To Wait
A prolific Rockstar leaker called Tez2 is claiming that GTA 6 will be released first on console and then later on PC. In their exact words from GTAForums.com:
I've heard from various sources that the devs expect VI PC release to happen after citing more time needed.
We have reached out to Rockstar for comment, but we have not received a reply yet, and on their official channels they remain radio-silent. Rockstar rarely respond to anything like this, but to be honest, given how ridiculously powerful they are, they don't need to.
Can You Trust This GTA 6 Rumor?
There's a ton of absolute nonsense online about GTA 6. Let's not forget, a number of "leakers" recently claimed that the announcement trailer was going to be released on October 26. But in regard to this specific rumor, we are quite confident that the claim GTA 6 will be released on console first is true. We believe this for two reasons: The source is reliable, and the claim aligns with Rockstar's historic pattern of releasing on console first.
Tez2 Is A Reliable Rockstar Source
Tez2 is a well-known figure within the world of GTA, and he can often be found in various Rockstar forums making predictions for the future of the franchise. He's never been able to prove unequivocally that he has a source within the industry, and many of his claims appear to be the result of datamining, but he has leaked info that turned out to be true. And especially when it comes to GTA: Online, he rarely misses.
Most recently, Tez2 was one of the first voices to claim that Red Dead Redemption was being remastered for the Switch. This turned out to be correct, of course. But even if Tez2 is only pretending to know that GTA 6 will be released on console first, this is what many GTA experts have been suspecting for a long time anyway; Rockstar traditionally release console first.
Rockstar Always Release Games On Console First
Just take a look at Rockstar's record of major releases, PC gamers always have to wait:
| Game | Console Release Date | PC Release Date |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | October 26, 2018 | November 5, 2019 (389 days later) |
| Grand Theft Auto V | September 17, 2013 | April 14, 2015 (574 days later) |
| L.A. Noire | May 17, 2011 | November 8, 2011 (175 days later) |
| Grand Theft Auto IV | April 29, 2008 | December 2, 2008 (217 days) |
| Manhunt 2 | October 30, 2007 | November 6, 2009 (738 days) |
At least based on these games, Rockstar takes on average 419 days, or 14 months, to bring games to PC after releasing them first on console. Why do they do this? We want to believe it's done to ensure a polished and optimized release on PC, but cynics have long accused them of doing it for a different reason: They want players to buy the game twice. We don't know the full truth of the matter, but it certainly makes commercial sense.