Grand Theft Auto VI will be released officially on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2025. However, PC players will have to wait even longer as Rockstar has confirmed that the game won't be available on PC at launch. Former Rockstar developer Mike York, who worked at the studio from 2012-2017 on projects like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2, explains that it simply comes down to a matter of priority.
"In a recent video posted to his personal YouTube channel, York mentioned that they want to prioritize what sells," he said. "Most of the time, especially in the past, PlayStation was the big seller. It sold more copies than any other console for the most part, everybody is playing PlayStation."
According to York, the PlayStation version of the game then became the most important version. He mentioned that while working on GTA V at Rockstar, the developers spent most of their time ensuring that the PS3 version was the best it could be, while simultaneously working on the Xbox 360 version.
"The PC version runs in the background, supporting and building the two versions," York explained. "While there is always a PC version of the game, it's not as polished and primarily supports the other versions."
Once the PlayStation version is finalized and released to the public, the developers shift their focus to the PC version, allowing them to explore new possibilities that were not achievable on consoles. Creating a PC port takes longer due to the need to accommodate various PC variations and components. Consequently, the PC version requires more extensive testing compared to the console versions.
"Both PlayStation and Xbox consoles are equipped with a single graphics card, using the same architecture across all units. However, the PC gaming experience varies widely due to the diverse hardware and configurations used by individual players." York emphasized that, due to resource constraints, developers prioritize focusing on a single game version at a time, often resulting in the PC version being released later, despite the platform's growing popularity.
York stated that due to budget, resources, and manpower constraints, the company prioritizes the allocation of funds and resources towards the production of games with the highest potential sales, such as the PlayStation, followed by the Xbox and PC. Based on past releases, it is probable that a PC version of GTA VI will be released at some point, considering the timeline for previous Rockstar games like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, it should also be noted that the original Red Dead Redemption, released in 2010, was never made available on PC.
The release of GTA VI may still be several years away, but it's already making waves. The game's initial trailer on YouTube has amassed an impressive 142 million views, with over 93 million of those views occurring within the first 24 hours. This sets a new record on YouTube for the most views in a 24-hour period for a non-music related video.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am both excited and disappointed by the news that GTA 6 won't have a PC release upon launch. On the one hand, I understand Rockstar's decision to prioritize the PlayStation and Xbox versions of the game, as they are the most popular platforms for gaming. On the other hand, I am disappointed that PC players will have to wait even longer to experience the game. I believe that Rockstar should make more of an effort to support PC gamers, as the PC gaming market is growing rapidly and is becoming increasingly important.
I also understand that creating a PC port takes longer due to the need to accommodate various PC variations and components. However, I believe that Rockstar should invest more resources into ensuring that the PC version of GTA 6 is released simultaneously with the console versions. This would show that Rockstar values PC gamers and is committed to providing them with the best possible gaming experience. Overall, I am hopeful that Rockstar will reconsider their decision and release the PC version of GTA 6 at the same time as the console versions. I believe that this would be a win-win situation for both Rockstar and PC gamers.
