Quick comparison
| GTA 5 | GTA 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release | September 17, 2013 | November 19, 2026 |
| Setting | Los Santos & Blaine County, San Andreas (based on Southern California) | Vice City & the state of Leonida (based on Florida) |
| Protagonists | 3 — Michael, Franklin, Trevor | 2 — Lucia, Jason |
| Launch platforms | PS3, Xbox 360 | PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Later platforms | PS4, Xbox One, PC (2015), PS5, Xbox Series X|S | None announced yet |
| Launch price (US) | $59.99 | $79.99 (Standard) / $99.99 (Ultimate) |
| Online mode at launch | GTA Online followed two weeks later (Oct 1, 2013) | Not announced — Rockstar calls GTA 6 a single-player experience |
| Map | One city plus surrounding countryside | A whole state with several regions |
Setting: from Los Santos to Leonida
GTA 5 took place in Los Santos, Rockstar's version of Los Angeles, and the rural Blaine County around it. GTA 6 moves to the other side of the country: Vice City, the series' parody of Miami, and the wider state of Leonida, a satirical Florida. Rockstar has named six regions so far — Vice City, the Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia and Mount Kalaga. Explore them in our region explorer.
The change of setting also shifts the tone. GTA 5 was a satire of Hollywood, wealth and reality TV. From the trailers, GTA 6 points its humor at social-media culture, viral fame and the wild headlines Florida is known for online.
Protagonists: three vs two
GTA 5's big innovation was letting you switch between three leads at almost any moment. GTA 6 narrows that to two, Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, and puts their relationship at the center of the story. Lucia is also the first female lead of a modern GTA game. See our characters guide for the full cast.
Platforms and technology
GTA 5 launched on the PS3 and Xbox 360 and was then re-released on two more console generations and PC. GTA 6 is built only for the current generation, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Leaving older hardware behind is what allows the denser crowds, detailed environments and lighting shown in the trailers. Rockstar has not announced a PC version yet — read our PC release guide for what is known.
Price
GTA 5 launched at the standard $59.99 of its generation. GTA 6's Standard Edition is $79.99 in the US, with an Ultimate Edition at $99.99. That is in line with how full-price console games have been priced in recent years. Unsure which version to get? Try the edition picker.
What about GTA Online?
This is the biggest open question. GTA Online grew into one of the most profitable entertainment products ever, and it is still running on current consoles. Rockstar has described GTA 6 as a single-player experience and has not announced an online mode. Many people expect one eventually, but there are no official details on when, how or whether it will be separate from GTA Online. Until Rockstar says something, treat any "GTA 6 Online" launch plans as rumor.
Will anything carry over from GTA 5?
Rockstar has not announced any way to carry progress, money or characters from GTA 5 or GTA Online into GTA 6. The two games have separate stories, separate settings and separate protagonists. If Rockstar announces an online mode for GTA 6 in the future, it may also explain whether anything transfers from GTA Online, but until then you should assume GTA 6 starts completely fresh.
Should you still play GTA 5?
Yes, if you have not. GTA 5's story is self-contained, so you do not need it to understand GTA 6. But it remains a great game, and GTA Online is still updated. If you are waiting for launch day, it is a fine way to fill the time.