Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is one of the most popular video game franchises ever created. Developed by Rockstar Games, the open world action-adventure series has sold over 380 million copies worldwide across its numerous entries.
The upcoming GTA 6 is easily one of the most highly anticipated games ever. Fans have been eagerly waiting for news on the next mainline entry in the series for years now. In February 2022, Rockstar finally confirmed that GTA 6 is in “active development.”
While Rockstar announced that GTA 6 is coming in 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, there was no mention of a PC version. This has left PC gamers wondering – will GTA 6 be on PC? Let’s analyze Rockstar’s history and the situation around GTA 6 to predict whether it will come to PCs.
Rockstar’s History of GTA PC Ports
Looking at Rockstar’s track record provides clues into how GTA 6 could be handled on PC. Ever since the first GTA in 1997, the mainline entries have generally released later on PC compared to consoles:
- GTA 1 (1997) – Same day PC and PS1 release
- GTA 2 (1999) – Same day PC and PS1 release
- GTA 3 (2001) – Released on PC in 2002, about 7 months after PS2
- GTA Vice City (2002) – Released on PC in 2003, about 7 months after PS2
- GTA San Andreas (2004) – Released on PC in 2005, about 7 months after PS2
- GTA 4 (2008) – Released on PC in 2008, about 7 months after PS3/Xbox 360
- GTA 5 (2013) – Released on PC in 2015, about 19 months after PS3/Xbox 360
As seen above, during the PS2 era GTA games generally took around 7 months post console release to arrive on PC. The later PS3/Xbox 360 titles saw this duration increase. GTA 5 notably took almost 2 years to come from consoles to PC.
Red Dead Redemption 2, another major open world title from Rockstar, was also handled similarly. It launched on PS4 and Xbox One in October 2018, before arriving on PC in November 2019 – a gap of 13 months.
Hence, in all likelihood, GTA 6 will continue this trend and launch on PC later than the announced 2025 console release date.
What Is the GTA 6 PC Situation?
There are a few factors that explain why Rockstar handles PC ports this way:
Maximizing Console Sales
Releasing GTA sequels on consoles first allows Rockstar to take advantage of the massive console install bases. GTA 6 will sell tremendously on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S even without any PC version.
After the initial sales momentum on console, launching the game on PC months later leads to another surge of sales from PC gamers. Rockstar basically gets to double dip.
Easier Console Development
With set console hardware configurations, developing and testing games is simpler compared to the open-ended PC platform. This allows Rockstar to get GTA 6 polished and running well on PS5 and Xbox quickly in time for 2025.
Challenging PC Port
Getting GTA 6 properly optimized for the endless variety of PC setups is extremely difficult and time-consuming. It requires significant effort to scale the visuals across weaker and stronger hardware combinations. There are also special features like advanced graphics settings to account for.
GTA Online
Another aspect possibly affecting GTA 6’s PC release is GTA Online. Rockstar may strategically delay the PC port to prevent cannibalizing the GTA Online player base on console.
Precedent of Past Releases
Quite simply, Rockstar has handled major GTA launches this way for over a decade now. There is little incentive for them to change this successful precedent.
Taking all these factors into account, it is highly likely GTA 6 will arrive on PC later than its 2025 console release.
When Could GTA 6 Come to PC?
While the additional development time gives Rockstar the chance to polish it, the prolonged wait still frustrates PC gamers. Exactly when could we expect to see GTA 6 on PC then?
Referencing again the past release history:
- GTA 4 and earlier titles took around 7 months for PC ports
- GTA 5 took 19 months
- Red Dead Redemption 2 took 13 months
If GTA 6 hits PS5/Xbox Series X/S in September 2025 (based on a potential leak), a late 2026 launch for PC seems plausible. This would be a roughly 15 month duration – not as long as GTA 5’s gap, but longer than Red Dead 2’s.
However, if Rockstar manages to optimize the PC port quicker this time, a Q3/Q4 2025 launch could happen. If the console release instead occurs later (November/December 2025), the PC port may slip to early 2027 in the worst case.
In summary, expect to see GTA 6 on PC somewhere between 12 to 15 months post its console release.
Final Thoughts
Considering Rockstar’s long history of prioritizing console launches for the GTA series and delays for PC ports, it is highly likely GTA 6 will continue this trend. The game’s technical complexity also lends itself better to initial development on fixed console hardware rather than the open PC platform.
GTA fans on PC can expect to play GTA 6 between 12-15 months after PS5 and Xbox Series X/S gamers, likely launching sometime in late 2026. This extended wait is undoubtedly frustrating, but should ultimately result in a better optimized version than if it launched day-and-date on all platforms.