Unexpectedly for fans, Rockstar Games released a new cinematic trailer for GTA 6, confirming the game's release date at the end — May 26, 2026. The nearly three-minute trailer didn't show actual gameplay footage, just a montage of rendered cool and sometimes humorous cutscenes from the game.

What was shown in the trailer?

The trailer opens with a dialogue between Jason Duval (one of the two main protagonists) and a character named Brian. Apparently, he is a landlord renting out his beach shack to the hero and is also a member of a smuggling ring.

Next, we see several episodes from Jason's daily life — how all the girls around are fascinated by him — mixed with scenes of the criminal life in Vice City (store robberies, drug dealer arrests, etc.), where the game's events unfold.

In the trailer, Jason visits a prison to meet and greet his girlfriend Lucia Caminos (the second main protagonist of the game), who is about to be released from the correctional facility. We then see episodes from the beginning of the couple's "new" life, as they seemingly decide to leave their criminal past behind. But things go awry, and circumstances force them back onto this precarious path.

Episodes of shootouts, car and water chases, character entertainments, and the romance and chemistry between the protagonists look intriguing and thrilling. However, it's important to understand that these are merely cutscenes and not part of the actual gameplay. Therefore, it's too early to draw any conclusions.

Details about GTA 6 characters

On the official Rockstar Games website, in the GTA 6 section, developers have released a lot of information about all the key characters players will encounter, accompanied by a brief synopsis, backstory, character traits, and a gallery of images featuring these characters.

What we known about the main characters' story — Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos

At the heart of the upcoming game are the two main characters: Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos — a couple brought together by desperation and a failed endeavor. According to information published by Rockstar Games, Jason once joined the army in an attempt to change his street criminal life, but after returning home, he fell back into old habits.

While GTA has featured women in supporting roles, this shift to a playable female lead may bring a fresh perspective and a different kind of character development, something fans have been hoping for. Combined with a Bonnie-and-Clyde-style narrative, this could set GTA 6 apart in both tone and storytelling. Lucia, on the other hand, is released from prison. She was imprisoned for an act of violence, which she explains as defending her family. This immediately sets the tone for her character — loyalty and survival. Additionally, there are many rumors and speculations that this couple will be somewhat analogous to Bonnie and Clyde — the infamous criminal duo of the early 20th century.

There is something deeper in this duo. While previous GTA protagonists sometimes felt caricatured, Jason and Lucia appear emotionally involved, even vulnerable. In the trailer, the romance between the characters intertwines with their criminal activities, suggesting their Bonnie and Clyde-style dynamic is not just an impressive facade. It seems to be the foundation of the entire story.

What we known about the secondary characters of GTA 6

Surrounding them is a gallery of the most dangerous and ambitious figures in Leonida. Jason's friend, Cal Hampton, trusts conspiracy theories more than open conflicts — he monitors the state's shadowy movements from his couch with a beer, eavesdropping on Coast Guard communications.

On the brighter side of Vice City, Boobie Ike runs a growing entertainment empire, combining street smarts and ruthlessness, mentoring young music producer Dre'Quan Priest and his breakout duo Real Dimez — bold rappers who have transitioned from petty crime to internet fame, hoping for their next big hit.

In GTA, characters have always had a significant impact on the atmosphere and story development. Rockstar continues its tradition of blending satire, distinctive personalities, and inner tension through a large cast of characters with their own goals, views, issues, and motives.

In the darker corners of this criminal city, Raul Bautista brings an old-school spirit — an experienced bank robber with charm and chaos that can either enrich his team or destroy it. Behind the scenes operates Brian Heder — a relic of the smuggling era, playing the long game: he runs his boatyard like a kingdom, pulling strings with a smile and keeping Jason on a short leash under the guise of friendship and free housing.

No gameplay, but the graphics impress

Although the trailer was action-packed, we have yet to see any real gameplay. Instead, we were shown cinematic scenes likely to be part of cutscenes or story moments. But even this is enough to appreciate the graphical breakthrough: lighting, facial animation, and environmental detail have significantly improved compared to previous installments.

Rockstar emphasized that all footage in the trailer was captured from a PlayStation 5 console, not a high-end PC. This is important because it means players will see something very close to the final result upon release. However, it cannot be said to be an incredible breakthrough, as many games today already showcase good and nearly realistic graphics levels — both in-game and in prerenders.

In addition to the main story missions, GTA VI appears to offer a wide variety of side activities that bring Vice City to life. Newly released screenshots reveal several sports and mini-games, including mini golf, pool, fishing, basketball, kayaking, scuba diving, and dirt bike racing. These additions highlight Rockstar’s focus on creating a vibrant and immersive open world full of things to do beyond the central narrative.

However, questions remain about the game's mechanics, gameplay, and any innovations for the series: will the ability to switch between characters instantly, like in GTA 5, return? Will the world's behavior change around the player depending on their actions? Rockstar has yet to reveal these details. This lack of information is significant, as players may have high expectations, which could negatively impact the game's reception and criticism.

What was especially notable in the trailer were the realistic reflections, wet street surfaces, and dense crowd scenes, all rendered with exceptional detail. These elements suggest Rockstar is pushing the hardware capabilities of current-generation consoles to their limits.

In addition to visual fidelity, some leaks and industry insiders have hinted at deeper gameplay systems in development. Rumors point to AI-driven NPC behavior that reacts more dynamically to player choices, and a living, evolving economy system that could change based on in-game events or actions. If true, these would mark significant innovations for the series.

When is GTA 6 coming out

It's easy to forget how high the expectations are for GTA 6. The release delay to 2026 disappointed fans but didn't surprise those familiar with Rockstar's approach. The company is known for releasing games only when confident in their quality. Given its cultural significance, this installment will undoubtedly be no exception.

Reportedly, the delay is related to quality control and a desire to avoid the so-called "crunch" — forced overtime in the gaming industry. Rockstar faced criticism during the development of Red Dead Redemption 2 and appears to want to avoid repeating those mistakes this time.

Despite this, the delay's impact was felt even in financial markets — Take-Two Interactive's shares lost 10% of their value after the announcement. Other publishers will likely adjust their release schedules to avoid competing with such a giant.

At the end of the trailer, the developers revealed the exact release date for GTA 6 — May 26, 2026. However, this date applies to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions. GTA 6 on PC does not yet have an announced date. Considering the situation with previous titles, the game on Windows is expected approximately a year after the release on the already announced platforms.