Head-to-head

GTA VI vs GTA V

Side-by-side of both games — release, world, characters, engine and systems. Everything not officially confirmed is flagged.

SourceUpdated · Jun 27, 2026
GTA VGTA VI

Release & platforms

Release dateSeptember 17, 2013 (PS3/360)November 19, 2026 (PS5 / Xbox Series X|S)
Launch platformsPlayStation 3, Xbox 360PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
PC releaseApril 14, 2015 (18 months later)Not announced
Note: Historical pattern suggests 12–24 months post-launch.
Time from reveal to launch~18 months~35 months (Dec 2023 → Nov 2026)

Story & characters

Playable protagonists3 — Michael, Franklin, Trevor2 — Jason & Lucia
Female playable leadNoYes — Lucia (first in mainline GTA since 1997)
Protagonist relationshipCriminal associatesBonnie & Clyde — romantic + partners in crime
Time periodModern day (2013)Modern day (2020s)

World

StateSan Andreas (California analogue)Leonida (Florida analogue)
Main cityLos SantosVice City
Other regionsBlaine County (desert, mountains), Paleto BayLeonida Keys, Port Gellhorn, Everglades-style swamps
Map size (official)~75 km² (unofficial estimates)Not officially announced
Note: Community claims are speculation until Rockstar confirms.

Tech

EngineRAGE (PS3-era generation)RAGE (unannounced generation — community shorthand: 'RAGE 9')
Body physicsEuphoriaEuphoria (expected, heavily upgraded)
Crowd densityModerateVisibly much higher in Trailer 2
Wildlife AIAmbientFull-body simulated (alligators shown swimming in Trailer 2)

Systems

Character switchingInstant on-map switch between 3Not detailed
Note: Rockstar hasn't shown how the Jason/Lucia switch works.
HeistsYes — set-piece missions with crew hiresNot officially detailed
Online modeGTA Online — massively evolved over a decadeNot officially announced
Property ownershipBusinesses, apartments, garagesNot detailed
Interior spacesLimited (a handful of enterable buildings)Visibly more — trailer parks, stores, clubs all shown
Want the full breakdown? Watch our frame-by-frame trailer analysis, browse the character list, or check the FAQ for what's confirmed vs. speculated.