Nick Oulette from Vancouver is among the countless gamers globally eagerly anticipating the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.
He shared with CBC News, “The excitement surrounding this one is palpable. I genuinely believe it will be the game of the decade.”
GTAVI, the newest installment in the iconic series of open-world crime games created by Rockstar Games, is expected to be the largest release in the history of video games — a sentiment shared not only by dedicated gamers and streamers.
Earlier this month, Steven Adams of the Houston Rockets mentioned to the press that he anticipates a decline in the performance of top athletes across all major sports leagues as they are likely to spend excessive time playing the game instead of training.
Here are several reasons contributing to the heightened excitement for GTAVI.
A wildly popular franchise
The statistics are astonishing, regardless of the perspective.
Since its inception in 1997, the series has sold over 470 million copies, with Grand Theft Auto V alone accounting for more than 230 million of those sales. It continues to be one of the most-played titles on Xbox and PlayStation systems, largely thanks to its GTA Online multiplayer feature, according to Circana games industry analyst Mat Piscatella.
Leaked information from hackers earlier this year suggested that GTA Online generates approximately $500 million US annually for Rockstar, translating to about $1.3 million daily.
Lucia and Jason, the protagonists of Grand Theft Auto VI. (Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive)
Piscatella noted that 29 percent of U.S. gamers with either a PC or a console plan to purchase GTAVI at some point, whether at launch or later.
“If a game reaches purchase intentions in the teens, it’s poised to be a success. In the high single digits, it’s still quite impressive. But nearing one-in-three is astonishing,” he told CBC News.
The lengthy anticipation
GTAVI carries with it over a decade of built-up expectations.
Grand Theft Auto V was initially launched on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox One more than 13 years ago. Reports indicate that the development of GTAVI started approximately eight years back. In that timeframe, Rockstar has released only one major title: Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018.
Rockstar has remained largely silent regarding the game, which has only fueled a wave of speculation and fake videos claiming to showcase leaked footage online.
A view of Vice City, one of the areas players can explore in Grand Theft Auto VI. (Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive)
The game is known to feature two main characters: Jason and Lucia, a couple navigating their romantic relationship while embarking on a life of crime in Leonida, a satirical take on Florida within the GTA universe. However, little else has been revealed about the plot or gameplay features.
“There are still numerous aspects of GTAVI that remain a mystery, including its budget,” stated Toronto-based game writer and podcaster Nadia Oxford.
Oxford points out that open-world games with the scope of GTA are uncommon because they are “extremely costly to produce” at the standards required in the current industry.
This fall, rumors suggested that GTAVI’s budget may exceed the $1.5 billion US used to construct Dubai’s Burj Khalifa; Rockstar denied that assertion during interviews with Bloomberg, yet did not disclose any financial specifics.
A gamified life simulator
Oulette estimates he has invested around 500 hours into GTAV, much of which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when he connected with friends online while under lockdown.
“That significantly contributed to my mental well-being,” he reflected, “as you could easily hop in a car with your friend, cruise down the coast, and check in with each other, ‘Hey, how are you doing? Are you okay?'”
Oulette believes the game’s intricately crafted worlds surpass those of competitors in the genre, aided by its licensed soundtrack, diverse locations, and storylines that cleverly satirize real-world pop culture and politics.
“For some reason, it helps maintain a sense of sanity in this chaotic world when playing [this] video game,” he remarked.
Stephen Totilo, a games reporter from New Jersey, noted that while the GTA series has quickly gained a reputation as a “mayhem simulator,” there are numerous ways to experience the game without indulging in destruction.
“Many view the GTA games as shock entertainment…. It’s about crime, sexuality, and explicit language,” he explained.
“However, that only scratches the surface of what Rockstar is aiming for; what struck me was their ambition to simulate or even gamify every conceivable aspect of the game world.”
Initial reports suggest that GTAVI might push boundaries further than previous installments by requiring players to refuel vehicles, maintain a balanced diet, and engage in regular workouts at the gym to avoid weight gain that could hinder combat effectiveness.
Totilo expressed curiosity about whether keeping pace with this “gamified realism simulation” will remain enjoyable for players.
A history of controversies
The GTA franchise has a long-standing legacy of controversies. Oxford referenced the moral outrage surrounding players’ ability to harm civilians, including sex workers, and the notorious sex scene removed from 2004’s GTA: San Andreas. Players discovered unfinished files of the interactive scene and leaked it online, dubbed “Hot Coffee.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission criticized Rockstar for failing to disclose its existence, despite it not being included in the final retail version.
The original GTA, a top-down game featuring 2D graphics, faced severe backlash in the U.K. House of Lords for its violent content, particularly the ability to run over pedestrians.
GTAVI has also attracted its share of controversies even before its launch. Hackers have leaked incomplete game content, supposedly unveiling details such as crowded beaches, Jason replicating a car’s FOB to steal it, and players being able to roam completely naked.
Additionally, some former Rockstar employees in the U.K. are taking legal action against the company for allegedly terminating several staff members (including three in Canada) for attempting to unionize.
Jason and Lucia in Grand Theft Auto VI. (Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive)
A romantic narrative
Aside from the chaos, thefts, and explosions, Totilo suggests that GTAVI may represent the most prominent love story ever featured in a video game.
<p"There have been numerous romantic storylines in video games prior, but nothing on this scale. No one has ever invested potentially a billion dollars into creating a game that seems fundamentally focused on a couple," he stated, noting that it marks the first instance of a female playable main character in a GTA game outside of its online modes.
“This is a genuinely significant moment for both the industry and the gaming culture.”