The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise could set another entertainment record when its sixth instalment arrives on November 19, with production costs reportedly reaching $1.5bn and previous editions selling hundreds of millions of copies.
The Grand Theft Auto video game franchise is preparing for another major commercial milestone as its sixth instalment, GTA VI, approaches its November 19 release, 13 years after the previous edition debuted.
The highly anticipated game, developed by Rockstar Games, is expected to become one of the biggest entertainment releases of the decade, building on a franchise that has sold about 470 million copies worldwide.
Its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, says GTA V, released in 2013, generated $1bn in retail sales faster than any entertainment release in history.
The game has sold approximately 230 million copies, making it the second best-selling video game of all time, behind Minecraft.
The franchise has continued to generate substantial revenue despite the long gap between major releases, largely through GTA Online, its multiplayer platform, where players can purchase virtual items.
However, its commercial success has been accompanied by persistent criticism over violence, misogyny and the portrayal of ethnic minorities.
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Critics have accused the games of glorifying criminal behaviour and exposing players to excessive violence, allegations that Take-Two executives have repeatedly rejected.
The controversy has sometimes resulted in restrictions and bans. Australian retailer Target stopped selling GTA V in 2014 following concerns raised by customers.
The games also carry mature-audience content ratings, while Take-Two has maintained that consumers should be free to decide which titles they purchase.
Despite the criticism, GTA has grown into a major cultural phenomenon, influencing online conversations, entertainment and popular culture through its characters, dialogue and satirical portrayal of society.
The franchise has also attracted prominent entertainment personalities. Hollywood actor Ray Liotta voiced Tommy Vercetti, the lead character in GTA: Vice City, released in 2002.
Other celebrities who have featured in the series include Samuel L. Jackson, Burt Reynolds, musician Phil Collins and comedian Ricky Gervais. Hip-hop star Dr Dre also appeared in the franchise in 2021.
The soundtrack for GTA VI is being composed by French electronic music duo Justice, while an album inspired by the game's universe brings together artistes including rapper Travis Scott and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
The first two GTA games debuted in 1997, featuring a top-down perspective that allowed players to control criminals carrying out missions across fictional cities.
However, GTA III, released in 2001, transformed the series by introducing a three-dimensional open world, improved graphics and more expansive gameplay.
The development helped establish a new standard for open-world video games, with subsequent instalments continuing to attract critical acclaim and commercial success.
For the sixth edition, Rockstar is taking players to Leonida, a fictional version of Florida, featuring the return of Vice City, a location inspired by Miami.
The storyline follows two criminal partners, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos.
Rockstar officially unveiled the game through a trailer in December 2023. Initially scheduled for release in late 2025, it was postponed twice before the studio settled on November 19, 2026.
The game is scheduled to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.
Reports estimate its production budget at between $1bn and $1.5bn, potentially making it the most expensive cultural product ever produced.
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