Before launch4 min readUpdated
GTA 5 vs GTA 6: what changes, point by point
How to read the confidence labels
- Official
- from Rockstar Games or Take-Two: the store, the Newswire, the official site, official posts.
- Press
- reported by recognised media, without an official statement.
- Community
- from wikis, forums and fan guides.
- Rumour
- a leak or an insider, not confirmed. The word is always in the headline.
- Deduction
- our own reasoning from what is known, or something noticed to be missing.
GTA 6 comes out 13 years after GTA 5. Rockstar says its map is twice as big Press. One developer finished it in about 80 hours, against about 30 for GTA 5's story Press. It has two heroes instead of three Official. It launches without an online mode Official. Nobody outside Rockstar and the reviewers can yet compare how they play.
The comparison table#
| Topic | GTA 5 | GTA 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Release | 17 September 2013 Community | 19 November 2026 Official |
| First consoles | PS3, Xbox 360 Community | PS5, Xbox Series X and S Official |
| Later versions | PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series Community | PC reported for early 2027, unconfirmed Rumour |
| Setting | Los Santos and Blaine County Community | Vice City and the state of Leonida Official |
| Heroes | Three: Michael, Franklin, Trevor Community | Two: Jason, Lucia Official |
| Map | About 76 km², fan measure Community | About twice that, no official figure Press |
| Story length | About 30 hours Press | One developer's run: 80 hours Press |
| Frame rate at launch | 30 fps, later 60 on newer consoles Community | 30 fps reported, not announced Press |
| Online | GTA Online, two weeks after launch Press | None at launch, none announced Official |
| Physical copy | Discs Community | Box with a code, no disc Official |
| Voices | English Community | English only Official |
| Sales | More than 230 million, per Take-Two Press | No official figure Deduction |
| Launch money | $815 million in 24 hours Community | Unknown until after 19 November Deduction |
| Cheat codes | Yes, none for money Community | None confirmed Community |
| Mods | PC only, tolerated in part Press | Nothing announced Deduction |
| Age rating | PEGI 18, ESRB Mature Official | PEGI 18, ESRB Mature Official |
GTA 6 costs €79.99, £69.99 or $79.99, and €99.99, £89.99 or $99.99 in Ultimate Official. All prices are in the price guide.
The map#
Rockstar's numbers come from interviews, as ratios: twice GTA 5, and Vice City alone twice Los Santos Press. Rockstar also speaks of far more interiors than past games Press. The map size guide explains why no exact km² exists.
The story#
The two long stories are not measured the same way. GTA 5's 30 hours is a typical count for the main story Press. GTA 6's 80 hours is Rob Nelson's personal run, covering the story and some optional goals, as he told the New York Times Press. A TechRadar headline calls that a confirmed length, which goes further than what he said Press. Yours will vary. The play time tool gives an estimate for your pace.
Three heroes against two#
GTA 5 let you switch between three men whose stories cross. GTA 6 follows one couple, with a switch between them Community. Rockstar frames it around their relationship and the state-wide conspiracy they fall into Official.
Should you play GTA 5 first?#
You do not need to. The stories are separate as far as Rockstar has shown Deduction. No hero of GTA 5 has been announced for GTA 6 Deduction. Do it if you want Rockstar's most recent big GTA, since it still sells about five million copies a quarter Press.
Will GTA 5 and GTA Online stop?#
Nothing announced. Take-Two reported growth for GTA Online in May 2026 Press. Your progress there does not move to GTA 6, as far as anyone knows Deduction. More in the online mode guide.
What cannot be compared yet#
- Which game is better. That waits for reviews and for you.
- Real performance on each console.
- Launch sales.
- Anything about a GTA 6 online mode.
On gtasix.tools#
Tool: the play time estimator. Guides: map size, online mode, performance and FAQ.
Written with AI from the sources cited, checked automatically.
Sources#
- Rockstar, GTA VI page Official
- Rockstar Store, GTA VI Official
- PlayStation, GTA VI page, FAQ Official
- Wikipedia, GTA V Community
- RockstarINTEL, GTA V passes 230 million Press
- Kotaku, map ratios Press
- GamesRadar, GTA 5 map size Press
- Beebom, Rob Nelson's 80 hours Press
- TechRadar, 80 hours Press
- PC Gamer, interiors Press
- GTABase, GTA 5 cheats Community
- Gameluster, online mode Press