Rockstar Games will not send GTA 6 review copies to journalists and media, claims insider

Grand Theft Auto 6 is probably the most anticipated game of the decade, and it's hard to think about a comparable piece of media that has had such a cultural and social impact. We recently covered the rumor that GTA 6 pre-orders might open on Monday, May 18th. However, new information has recently surfaced about the GTA 6 early access process and the game's marketing cycle.

The gaming industry saw three major game leaks this year, with Forza Horizon 6 likely the most impactful. The game leaked online a whole 10 days before release, and something similar happened to Subnautica 2 and PRAGMATA as well. Although the source of the leak has not yet been confirmed, Playground Games suspects an insider, while it is widely speculated that the source of the leak for these games was a third-party reviewer.

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With these developments in mind, it looks like Rockstar Games is about to change the review and early access cycle for Grand Theft Auto 6. According to a Brazilian journalist with a solid track record, Rockstar Games will not send any review copies to journalists, media, or content creators ahead of the GTA 6 launch. The early review process will instead take place on-site, with Rockstar sending creators to a specific physical location to play GTA 6.

He goes on to say that Rockstar will tightly control the security of the physical location, with continuous surveillance and rules against photography and videography. This is to make sure nothing leaks out ahead of the most anticipated game launch in recent memory. Rockstar Games has already suffered multiple times at the hands of leakers, with GTA 6's early development footage and first trailer being leaked a couple of years ago.

This approach to review samples seems rather heavy-handed, but it's not entirely implausible. A similar prediction was previously made by YouTuber Nukov during the Insider Gaming weekly podcast, saying that there will be no previews or review copies of GTA 6. Moreover, credible insider Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming also debunked the May 18 pre-order date, saying we won't get anything tangible until July or August.

Should Rockstar take this approach, it would be a first for the gaming industry, especially for a game as big as Grand Theft Auto 6. However, it will not be far-fetched for GTA 6 to set a precedent like this, given the sheer weight the franchise's name carries at this point. It must be said that these are just rumors at this point, so take them with a spoonful of salt. GTA 6 is officially slated to launch on November 19th, 2026.