The new Grand Theft Auto game could very well be unplayable for millions of people when it's finally released.
In what might be a major disappointment for gamers worldwide, the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) might not be immediately accessible to a whole lot of players upon its release.
That’s according to rumors circulating online, which suggest only certain versions of consoles will be able to play it when the game eventually comes out.
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This might mean that, despite the long wait and growing excitement, many fans of the iconic Rockstar Games series may find themselves unable to dive into the latest installment right away.
When GTA V was released in 2013, it was initially available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which were then the dominant gaming consoles. However, as technology progressed, the game expanded its reach, becoming compatible with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014, and eventually making its way to PC gamers in 2015.
Since then, the gaming landscape has come on leaps and bounds, with the intro of next-gen consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, known for their enhanced capabilities and cutting-edge features.
Even if the tech has got better, not everyone has the latest console - which is why the internet is aghast with reports suggesting Rockstar Games intends to launch GTA VI for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S only.
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This would leave users of previous console generations, such as the PlayStation 4, unable to play the new game immediately.
Games insider, Tom Henderson, highlighted these rumours earlier this year. Writing for Insider Gaming, he also said it's likely the game might actually not land until 2025.
"According to my own sources, one of the major reasons for such a long-winded 'delay' is that GTA 6 will release on current-generation consoles only," Henderson wrote.
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"With the tentative 2024 date being planned as far back as 2021, it was a means of ensuring that GTA 6 would have a sufficient console market to release on."
This decision, if confirmed, would mean a significant portion of the gaming community might have to wait longer or upgrade their hardware to experience the latest from the GTA universe.
Rockstar Games has yet to comment on these developments, leaving fans to piece together information from leaks, rumors and industry speculation.
The revelation comes amid other recent rumors that Rockstar Games has removed a highly anticipated feature from the upcoming game.
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According to the well-known Rockstar Games source, RockStarUniverse, an advanced weather system - featuring extreme conditions like hurricanes and tornadoes - was cut during development.
The reason is unknown but speculated to be due to technical limitations and it costing too much time and money to develop.
The decision to scrap such a feature could be linked to the difficulties in realistically rendering complex weather patterns in an interactive environment.
These latest rumours hint at some of the challenges and trade-offs Rockstar has faced in creating what might be the most expensive video game ever made.