Nick Oulette from Vancouver is among the millions of gamers globally eagerly anticipating the debut of Grand Theft Auto VI.

“The excitement surrounding this release is palpable,” he shared with CBC News. “I genuinely believe this will be the game of the decade.”

GTAVI, the newest installment in Rockstar Games’ acclaimed open-world crime series, is expected to be the largest launch in video game history — and this sentiment extends beyond just the most dedicated gamers or streamers.

Earlier this month, Steven Adams of the Houston Rockets mentioned to the media that he anticipates a decline in performance among elite athletes across major sports leagues as many of them will devote their time to gaming instead of training.

Here are several reasons contributing to the skyrocketing excitement for GTAVI.

An immensely popular franchise

The sheer sales figures are impressive by any standard.

Since its inception in 1997, the series has surpassed 470 million units sold, with Grand Theft Auto V alone accounting for over 230 million of those sales. It continues to be one of the most played titles on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, thanks to its GTA Online multiplayer feature, as noted by Circana games industry analyst Mat Piscatella.

According to data leaked by hackers earlier this year, GTA Online generates approximately $500 million US annually for Rockstar, which breaks down to around $1.3 million every day.

Lucia and Jason, the protagonists of Grand Theft Auto VI. (Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive)

Piscatella indicates that 29 percent of U.S. gamers who own a PC or console plan to purchase GTAVI, whether at its launch or later on.

“If a game achieves purchase intent in the teens percentage-wise, it’s likely to be a hit. High single digits are still commendable. However, nearing one-in-three is exceptional,” he mentioned to CBC News.

The lengthy anticipation

GTAVI carries over a decade of built-up eagerness.

Grand Theft Auto V was initially released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox One more than 13 years ago. Reports suggest that development for GTAVI commenced around eight years ago, with Rockstar having released only one major title in the interim: Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018.

Rockstar has remained largely tight-lipped about the forthcoming game, which has sparked a surge of speculation and fake videos claiming to show leaked content online.

A depiction of Vice City, one of the playable locations in Grand Theft Auto VI. (Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive)

What is known is that the game will feature two main characters: Jason and Lucia, a couple navigating their romantic relationship while embarking on criminal ventures in Leonida, a satirical representation of Florida in the GTA universe. However, details regarding the storyline or gameplay remain scarce.

“There is still much we are unaware of regarding GTAVI, and it retains an air of mystery … including its budget,” stated Nadia Oxford, a Toronto-based gaming writer and podcaster.

Oxford emphasizes that open-world games of GTA’s ambition are uncommon due to their “extremely high production costs” expected in today’s gaming industry.

Rumors this fall suggested that GTAVI’s budget may have exceeded the $1.5 billion US invested in constructing Dubai’s Burj Khalifa; Rockstar dismissed that assertion in discussions with Bloomberg, yet refrained from confirming any financial figures.

A gamified life simulator

Oulette estimates he has spent approximately 500 hours playing GTAV, a significant portion of which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, connecting with friends online while in isolation.

“That really played a crucial role in supporting my mental health,” he explained, “because you could just get in a car with a friend, drive along the coast, and check in on each other, asking, ‘How are you doing? Are you alright?'”

Oulette describes the game’s intricately crafted worlds as superior to others in the genre, attributing this to its licensed music and narratives that parody real-world pop culture and political scenarios.

“Playing [this] video game somehow brings a sense of sanity to this chaotic world,” he remarked.

Stephen Totilo, a gaming reporter based in New Jersey, notes that while the GTA series has quickly earned a reputation as a “mayhem simulator,” there are numerous ways to engage with the game without indulging in destruction.

“Many perceive the GTA games as shock titles…. It’s the crime, the sexual content, the profanity,” he stated.

“However, I believe that is only one facet of what makes Rockstar’s approach intriguing, and what stood out to me … was their attempt to simulate or even gamify every conceivable aspect within the game world.”

Early reports suggest that GTAVI will expand beyond previous iterations, requiring players to refuel their vehicles, maintain a healthy diet, and regularly exercise at the gym to avoid gaining weight that could hinder combat effectiveness.

Totilo expresses curiosity about whether keeping up with this “gamified realism simulation” will remain enjoyable for gamers.

A history of controversies

The GTA series has a well-documented history of controversies. Oxford highlights the moral outrage surrounding players’ capacity to harm civilians, including sex workers, as well as a notorious sex scene that was removed from the 2004 title GTA: San Andreas. Unfinished files of this interactive sex scene were discovered by players and leaked online under the title “Hot Coffee.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission criticized Rockstar for not disclosing its presence, despite it not being included in the final retail version.

The original GTA, a top-down game with 2D graphics, faced harsh criticism in the U.K. House of Lords for its violent content, particularly the ability to run over pedestrians.

GTAVI has already faced its share of controversies prior to its launch. Hackers have leaked incomplete game materials, purportedly revealing features such as crowded beaches, Jason using a car’s FOB to steal it and the option for players to roam around entirely unclothed.

Moreover, some former Rockstar employees in the U.K. are taking legal action against the company for allegedly terminating several staff members (including three in Canada) for their attempts to unionize.

Jason and Lucia in Grand Theft Auto VI. (Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive)

It’s a love story

Aside from the chaos, thefts, and explosions, Totilo suggests that GTAVI may feature the most prominent love story ever depicted in a video game.

“There has been romance in video games previously, but nothing of this magnitude. No one has invested possibly a billion dollars into creating a game primarily focused on a couple,” he stated, noting that this is also the first instance of a female protagonist being a playable main character in a GTA game outside of its online modes.

“This marks a significant moment for the gaming industry and its culture.”