Rockstar Games has partnered with Netflix to present the most detailed look yet at Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most anticipated game releases of this generation. The exclusive extended look is scheduled to premiere on the streaming platform on August 27.
The game, set to release later this year, has generated so much excitement that other publishers have adjusted their own release schedules to avoid clashing with its launch. It marks the latest mainline title in the acclaimed series, returning players to Vice City, last seen in the 2002 game. It is also the follow-up to GTA V, which originally launched in 2013 for PS3 and Xbox 360, with updated versions later released for PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series.
What to expect from the extended look
GTA VI focuses on two main characters, Jason and Lucia. The official synopsis reads: "Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida – forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive."
Even with limited footage released so far, some critics have described the story as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. The Netflix special, titled GTA VI An Extended Look, will be the first time fans see actual gameplay. Although players have been able to pre-order the game for weeks, no details on how the game will play have been revealed.
It is expected that the footage will showcase new gameplay systems, side activities and character controls. Like GTA V and its three protagonists, players may be able to switch between Jason and Lucia on the fly. The presentation format is unknown, but in July 2013, Rockstar shared a four-minute 50-second gameplay trailer for GTA V with narration, and the new look could follow a similar format.
UK release time and streaming details
The extended look will premiere on Netflix at 3pm Eastern Time on August 27, which is 8pm in the UK on the same day. It is not being labelled as a live event, so it should stream like any other new release. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed the footage will be uploaded to YouTube six hours later, telling fans: "If you're not a Netflix subscriber, you definitely should be one."
A hacker group has been sharing clips of the game ahead of the Netflix premiere, reportedly in protest against the decision to release the game without a physical disc version. Fans have been urged to avoid the leaks, although it is not known whether the clips come from the official trailer or are curated by the group.
Previous GTA titles on Netflix
Classic GTA games were previously available on Netflix, including the Definitive Editions of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy, which covered GTA III, GTA San Andreas and GTA Vice City. Those titles have since been removed from the library. Subscribers can currently access Red Dead Redemption, another Rockstar franchise title, via mobile through the Netflix app.
GTA VI will release on PS5 and Xbox Series on November 19. GTA VI An Extended Look streams on Netflix on August 27.
