We Already Know What GTA 6 Is Going To Be

So far, Grand Theft Auto 6 sure looks like a Grand Theft Auto game.

There's no denying the level of hype surrounding GTA 6. It's often referred to in various grandiose terms: the most-anticipated game ever (probably), the biggest game launch of the decade (sure), the game that will save the industry (with console prices rising, doubtful). Certainly, expectations are sky-high for a game that is following such a massive commercial success and has been such a long time coming. But does any of that mean it will be the most amazing thing ever?

Despite its reputation and incredible level of influence on the gaming world, GTA was never the most amazing game at any point, and its level of success dwarfs the achievements of the games themselves. Even as someone who has enthusiastically played the series since GTA 2, GTA 3 was the only game of the 3D era that I found to be especially revolutionary, catapulting the series to the heights it would eventually reach. Every subsequent game has been an iteration on that formula, which is relatively par for the course with gaming sequels, particularly from a big publisher.

With GTA 6 being hyped to such tremendous levels, though, and being the first new GTA game in 13 years (a span equivalent to the period that saw eight standalone games released in the years preceding GTA 5), is it going to be a massive disappointment if GTA 6 is just another GTA game?

Rockstar has been beset by leaks showing gameplay clips (and even a cutscene) of GTA 6 this week. It would be unfair to judge the game based on these looks at it; beyond being heavily compressed and watermarked, we don't know how long ago these clips were sourced, what changes or polish might have been introduced since then, or what groundbreaking features are not being showcased here. These clips are also being released for a deliberate purpose, seemingly pushing Rockstar to reconsider the lack of a disc version and pumping a crypto memecoin.

The leaks show nothing particularly noteworthy. There are some intriguing details that have been discovered, such as what appears to be the need to fuel your vehicles, which could lead to some fun emergent moments. But what we've seen otherwise looks exactly like a Grand Theft Auto game. You could tell me this footage was sourced from a GTA 5 mod, and I wouldn't bat an eye. You're able to steal cars, drive around, and generally wreak havoc. Assuming the leaks are real, there's a taser weapon now, which appeals to the Syphon Filter fan in me. But nothing so far looks revolutionary or like it will convince GTA skeptics to jump in, which only reinforces my existing suspicion--based on the first two trailers and GTA's history--that GTA 6 may not have anything truly exceptional to show us when it is finally revealed.

Any lack of a wow factor in the leaks could be by design: As the leakers seek to put pressure on Rockstar, they might be intentionally seeking to make people's first real look at gameplay as underwhelming as possible. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwgi4ECJwic

But as a longtime player, I would be surprised if this is not, at its core, what GTA 6 is: a new version of a very familiar thing. There will surely be the wrinkles here and there--GTA 5 had its multiple characters and online mode, the latter of which I expect to eventually be overhauled for GTA 6 in dramatic fashion to lean into user-generated content, role-playing, and other elements that can help contribute to Take-Two's recurrent consumer spending pillar that represents an outsized piece of its business. 

Delivering an iterative version of GTA 5 is going to be more than enough for a very substantial portion of the audience. There are surely many GTA 5 players who have played few other games since its release 13 years ago, and incremental steps forward--if that's all we get--will be enough to satisfy them. Comfort food isn't such a bad thing, and while I'd love to be amazed by some new conception of what a GTA game can be, I'll still enjoy poking around its sandbox, playing through the story mode, and hopefully taking part in some new online heists, which were by far the standout aspect of GTA 5.

The truth is that GTA 6 doesn't need to be mind-blowing. The formula is in place, and coloring inside those lines is a formula for success. GTA 6 was never going to be unrecognizable or revolutionary. You are more than entitled to find that to be a disappointing, underwhelming, or uninspired path and instead opt for something that strives to be unique (Forbidden Solitaire, Denshattack, and Titanium Court are all 2026 gems). But if you're someone who is actively anticipating GTA 6 and are expecting a 13-year wait to equate to an equivalent level of innovation, we didn't need these leaks to tell us you're likely setting yourself up for disappointment.