She was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 3 PM French time, but the first trailer for GTA VI was ultimately released several hours early. Following a leak that spread on TikTok and Twitter, Rockstar Games decided to publish the eagerly anticipated game’s trailer at 12:11 AM, countering these unwanted leaks. Did this affect its popularity? Not at all, as the video had already garnered over 46 million views in just 8 hours, demonstrating the immense anticipation among gamers. This 1-minute and 31-second trailer conveys a great deal, showcasing Rockstar Games’ exceptional skill in teasing an expansive universe, intelligently hinting at game elements like characters, cityscapes, moods, future missions, American culture satire, and even the decline of Western civilization, all while embedding easter eggs throughout.
We are here to discuss this together, starting with the choice of music, which is not arbitrary. Given that Rockstar Games never acts without purpose, it is clear they intended to include Tom Petty’s song “Love Is a Long Road.” In addition to their well-known good taste in music, it is noteworthy that the intro of Tom Petty’s song mirrors the opening theme of the television series CSI: Miami. Listen closely to both; they share a similar musical tone. The cityscape shot also resembles the TV series’ opening visuals, much like this scene featuring an airboat navigating through the Everglades with pink flamingos taking flight. Every detail, including the color grading, is carefully considered.
The two central characters in GTA 6 form a couple reminiscent of Bonnie & Clyde, as confirmed by the September 2022 leak and the subsequent trailer. Lucia and Jason pursue their American dream through a series of heists over the course of one minute and thirty seconds. In this trailer, it is evident that Lucia takes charge and exudes charisma, positioning her for an impressive narrative arc. It would be remarkable if she could embody the bad-ass attitude of Sadie Adler. The trailer shows Lucia being released from prison and attempting societal reintegration. Jason is deliberately kept in the background, underscoring Rockstar’s intent to make a strong impression with their first playable female character. Even on the main illustration, while positioned secondarily, Lucia’s gaze dominates, making her stand out prominently. While Jason will likely be introduced more thoroughly in future trailers and not merely serve as Lucia’s sidekick, this initial trailer clearly establishes Lucia as the leader.
The release was originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 3 PM French time. However, due to leaks on TikTok and Twitter, Rockstar Games decided to release the highly anticipated GTA VI trailer at 12:11 AM in an effort to address these unauthorized disclosures. Despite this early release, the video accumulated over 46 million views within just eight hours, highlighting the significant anticipation among gamers. The one-minute-and-thirty-one-second teaser provides substantial insight into Rockstar Games’ ability to intricately set up a vast universe and hint at various elements within the game: characters, cityscapes, atmosphere, future missions, satirical commentary on American culture, and observations on the decline of Western civilization, all while incorporating Easter eggs.
The other element that left the world impressed is the graphics level. This first trailer clearly features in-engine footage, as is typical with Rockstar Games, but they have achieved an exceptionally high standard of visual rendering. Indeed, following the achievements of Red Dead Redemption 2, which remains the most technically advanced open-world game even in 2023, no other game has managed to match it, let alone surpass it. Beyond the stunning art design and the richness of the environments, with impressive lighting and dense cityscapes, what truly captivates are the non-playable characters (NPCs). They are meticulously detailed, featuring a wide array of diversity, with animation loops that suggest grandeur. Most importantly, they represent America in its entirety—through various communities and physical characteristics, including bodybuilders alongside larger, fatter bodies; everyone is included, showcasing an extensive range of diversity.
In regards to Easter eggs, one can find a meta message in the lyrics spoken by an elderly woman wearing a nightgown who is holding two hammers: “Look who’s back?” This phrase serves as a reference to Grand Theft Auto returning after a ten-year gap. Additionally, there is a banner at the beginning of the video that reads, “Why Sixty Nine when you came nine 1 nine,” which is an acknowledgment of the well-known Miami strip club e11even Miami. At the end of the video, when Lucia and Jason forcefully open the door, one can see a note attached to it indicating that the establishment no longer accepts cash stored in underwear.
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release in 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, with no current information indicating a version for PC. There are rumors suggesting that players might have to wait an additional year after the console releases for any updates or further versions.
