Just as the internet was buzzing with a leaked sneak peek, the much-anticipated trailer for Grand Theft Auto (GTA) VI has finally dropped.
The trailer of the popular is an adrenaline shot of non-stop action.
Set to the apt Americana sounds of Love is a Long Road by Tom Petty, the trailer is certainly in line with the game’s reputation for high-speed chases, debauchery and car-related crimes. True to its Florida-inspired setting, it even features alligators in some unexpected places.
While the fresh, never-before-seen footage of the game has sent fans into a bit of a frenzy, its developers - Rockstar - aren’t quite as excited.
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The leak seemed to force Rockstar’s hand in dropping the trailer on YouTube earlier than planned, with the developer taking to X, formally known as Twitter, to direct viewers to the official video as opposed to the leaked version.
“Our trailer has leaked so please watch the real thing on YouTube,” the post read.
And it would seem like Rockstar employees are pretty upset by the leak, with one developer writing on X: "I was hoping to watch this for the first time tomorrow along with my fellow teammates and coworkers. I feel we deserved that moment."
Another wrote: "Gutting to take that special moment away from everyone but...I hope it was everything you all hope for and more."
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Clearly, the release of the trailer was meant to mark a momentous occasion for the team - perhaps a celebration of their hard work and creativity. However, it ended up tinged with disappointment since they weren’t able to experience the unveiling together as planned.
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Despite the leak, the trailer itself has given fans plenty to yap about. For the first time in the series, we meet a female protagonist named Lucia, who humorously notes her bad luck while starting off in prison.
The trailer also confirms the game’s setting in Vice City, which is music to the ears of long-time fans of the series. It also teases a modern touch with glimpses of TikToks and live streams, hinting at the use of social media within the game’s narrative.
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While fans were dissecting every frame of the trailer on Reddit, one wrote: “I feel bad for the devs excited to show this on the appointed time, and that thunder was stolen."
The gaming world has been eagerly awaiting news of GTA VI ever since the release of its predecessor in 2013, which games expert site IGN hailed as a "masterpiece”.
Official confirmation that development was "well underway" came in 2022, but not without its share of drama. Last year, Rockstar faced a significant data breach leading to an early leak of development footage, leading to the arrest of a British teenager.
Despite the setbacks and the unexpected early reveal, anticipation for GTA VI remains sky-high - but you'll have to wait until 2025 to play it.