Another yr, one other Recreation Awards within the bin. Between the in depth advertisements, real surprises (Onimusha and Okami hype), and winners, there was greater than sufficient to course of and focus on amongst varied fandoms.
Nevertheless, as noteworthy because the present felt for all of the video games that had been current in some type or one other, it was all of the extra sobering for those who had been absent. And no, we’re not speaking about Hole Knight: Silksong, whose followers have someway entered a brand new realm of struggling earlier than the yr is out, or Surprise Lady, which has acquired nothing since its announcement in 2021, and even the discharge date for Steel Gear Stable Delta: Snake Eater.
We’re speaking about Grand Theft Auto 6. You realize the one – Rockstar North’s subsequent magnum opus. The open-world sport that may seemingly redefine the style. It did seem at The Recreation Awards however solely to win the Most Anticipated Recreation award, beating the likes of Ghost of Yotei and Monster Hunter Wilds. There was in any other case no new trailer or perhaps a tease.
And to be honest, this isn’t surprising. Earlier than it unveiled the primary trailer roughly one yr in the past, Rockstar knowledgeable followers prematurely that it was dropping. We’re not involved as a result of we anticipated one thing that it by no means actually promised. No, the trepidation comes from the shortage of a brand new trailer over a yr for the reason that first debuted.
It in all probability shouldn’t be such a giant deal, at the same time as Rockstar’s mum or dad firm Take-Two Interactive – between promoting off Non-public Division and shuttering builders – mentioned it’s assured within the Fall 2025 launch greater than as soon as. In addition to, a consultant from the studio mentioned the staff is engaged on “completely mind-blowing issues” after accepting the award for – you guessed it Most Needed Recreation – on the Golden Joystick Awards. “Extra to come back,” as they are saying. But, it’s a month later with no updates. As we close to the vacations, the chance of any new trailer is rising bleaker.
To be honest as soon as extra, a launch of the magnitude of Grand Theft Auto 6 requires time and polish. As determined as followers are for a launch date, if solely to depend down the times and schedule sick days prematurely, that’s not the first concern. Not less than, not proper now – as we close to Fall 2025, desperation will seemingly set in, however the truth that there have been no updates or new particulars or something all yr is shocking.
Is Rockstar obligated to supply an replace? In all probability not, however take a look at different releases from Take-Two’s publishing label, 2K. Borderlands 4 acquired an announcement trailer in August, an in-game trailer showcasing the brand new setting of Kairos and new enemies just like the Timekeeper alongside a take a look at its new Vault Hunters. Its gameplay can be set to debut in early 2025.
Then there’s Mafia: The Outdated Nation, additionally introduced in August, and a gameplay reveal lately. We all know in regards to the new protagonist, and Hangar 13 has outlined a number of particulars in regards to the gameplay, from its construction that’s extra consistent with the primary two video games, extra tactical and deliberate fight, and far more. On a lesser notice is Civilization 7, which has additionally acquired reveals, particulars and livestreams, the newest showcasing the third age that gamers will dive into when it launches in February 2025.
In the meantime, the primary trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 has crossed 227 million views earlier than the yr is out. Even when we assume that Mafia: The Outdated Nation launches in August, GTA 6 could be just some months out and has acquired virtually nothing by means of new particulars compared. We don’t know if the opposite protagonist alongside Lucia is definitely named Jason. We don’t know if we will surf or play seaside volleyball. It’s simply…silence.
There are a number of conclusions to attract from all this, the obvious being that growth isn’t presently at a stage the place Rockstar or Take-Two desires to construct additional on the hype. It could even internally be contemplating a delay, if not by a few weeks, to push into Winter 2025, then perhaps straight into 2026. With how necessary it’s for Take-Two Interactive, which has recorded fairly important losses this yr, any trace of a delay may have severe monetary ramifications.
Once more, nothing is confirmed and even rumored in that regard. The staff might produce other plans apart from merely dropping a brand new trailer, together with previews and interviews with varied shops, which is when the advertising and marketing will actually kick in. Take a look at Murderer’s Creed Shadows, for instance. The delay from November 2024 to February 2025 might solely be a couple of months, however the staff cancelled hands-on previews and even pulled its gameplay from Tokyo Recreation Present 2024. From the event aspect, it’s about presenting a playable construct that may generate extra favorable impressions, which can then segue into the advertising and marketing aspect to generate optimistic hype.
So whereas from our perspective, it could appear to be Rockstar desires to maintain its playing cards shut and never reveal an excessive amount of earlier than launch, it very seemingly wants different issues in place earlier than it will possibly begin hyping the discharge. Even when it doesn’t reveal a launch till roughly two months earlier than launch, the staff must be ready earlier than that the place it will possibly subject questions from followers and supply concrete solutions. In any other case, you danger ending up in the same place to Cyberpunk 2077 again in 2020 – promising issues that gained’t be obtainable at launch.
After all, we may additionally devolve into straight panic and say that growth is dealing with issues. Some may point out that report by Rockstar Journal in 2021 about growth allegedly being restarted in early 2021.
Others might level to the leaks from September 2022 and the way they really affected growth regardless of Take-Two saying the alternative. There might even be a couple of criticizing current-generation {hardware} and the way Rockstar is struggling to essentially ship the sport with none main compromises. Any a kind of could possibly be authentic, however because the trade has taught us over time, “growth bother” may apply to each single launch in some type or trend. For Grand Theft Auto 6, it appears a given.
Nevertheless, the actual fact stays – the primary trailer dropped in December 2023, and there’s been nothing else ever since. When season’s greetings are despatched out, Rockstar might present a small replace, assuring followers that work continues unabetted and that it appreciates the assist. Heck, it may even promise that extra particulars are “coming quickly.” It will nonetheless be nothing by way of precise new content material, however at the very least the thought counts.
No matter what it does, the event staff should be conscious that the clock begins ticking in 2025. The spectre of Fall 2025 might not appear that outstanding in the beginning, however it’ll proceed to loom as every day passes and extra followers turn into anxious on the lack of know-how. Or perhaps it’ll drop a sick new trailer when the yr kicks off, assuaging all issues and sending us right into a model new spiral of discerning new particulars and hyper-analyzing all the pieces. Regardless of the case, the astronomical ranges of hype – and strain – will solely develop from right here on.
Notice: The views expressed on this article are these of the writer and don’t essentially symbolize the views of, and shouldn’t be attributed to, GamingBolt as a corporation.
