On December 4, 2023, Rockstar Games unveiled the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), a 90-second glimpse that has since soared to over 250 million views on YouTube, cementing its place among the platform’s most-watched gaming videos. The trailer has sparked a frenzy, accumulating more than 1 million comments from fans who dissect its details, speculate on storylines, and share their excitement for the upcoming title. This milestone, reached by April 2025, highlights the global fervor surrounding the Grand Theft Auto franchise, which continues to dominate cultural conversations despite Rockstar’s silence since the trailer’s debut. The sustained interest underscores the game’s potential to redefine the gaming landscape upon its anticipated fall 2025 release.
The trailer’s significance stretches beyond its view count, positioning it as a landmark in entertainment history. Showcasing protagonists Lucia and Jason in a vibrant, reimagined Vice City, the video hints at a technological leap from GTA V, with stunning visuals and intricate details. It shattered records by garnering 90.4 million views in its first 24 hours, the highest for a non-music video, and surpassed 10 million likes, outranking cinematic giants like Avengers: Infinity War. Fans worldwide revisit the trailer, scouring it for hints about gameplay mechanics, narrative arcs, and the elusive release date, amplifying its enduring impact.
Rockstar Games is about to drop GTA 6 news very soon. pic.twitter.com/cho7hTwVHJ
— GTA 6 Updates (@miamigta6) April 24, 2025
Compared to other entertainment phenomena, GTA 6’s trailer stands out. While GTA V, released in 2013, has sold over 210 million copies by early 2025, the GTA 6 trailer has already eclipsed the lifetime views of its predecessor’s promotional video in under two years. The anticipation for the game, expected between August and November 2025, grows as fans speculate about a second trailer, potentially debuting at events like Summer Game Fest in June 2025. This sustained hype reflects Rockstar’s mastery in building excitement with minimal content.
- Key achievements of the GTA 6 trailer:
- 250 million views by April 2025.
- Over 1 million comments from fans.
- 10 million likes, surpassing Avengers: Infinity War.
- Record 90.4 million views in 24 hours for a non-music video.
A defining moment in gaming culture
The launch of the GTA 6 trailer marked a seismic event, resonating far beyond the gaming community. A leak forced Rockstar to release it early on December 4, 2023, yet the premature debut only amplified its impact, drawing attention from gamers, influencers, and even public entities. Notably, the Florida Highway Patrol incorporated trailer scenes into a promotional video for a new Corvette C8, illustrating GTA 6’s immediate cultural footprint. Vice City’s Miami-inspired setting, complete with nods to real-world incidents like the “Florida Joker,” has captivated audiences with its bold aesthetic and satirical edge.
Fan engagement on YouTube underscores the trailer’s grip on the community, with viewers analyzing every frame for clues. Social media platforms, including Reddit and accounts like GTAVI_Countdown, buzz with discussions about graphical advancements, potential easter eggs, and the game’s soundtrack. Rockstar’s single trailer has sustained this momentum without additional releases, a testament to its quality and the studio’s reputation. The video’s estimated $1 million in YouTube ad revenue further highlights its commercial influence, even before the game’s launch.
Battling for YouTube supremacy
While the GTA 6 trailer dominates, it faces stiff competition on YouTube. The promotional video for Subway Surfers, released on September 18, 2012, remains the most-viewed gaming trailer, with over 361 million views. The mobile game’s universal appeal and accessibility contrast with GTA 6’s narrative depth, yet the 111-million-view gap may shrink as Rockstar’s trailer continues to gain traction. The GTA 6 video’s rapid ascent suggests it could challenge this record before the game’s release.
The trailer has already outpaced other heavyweights, including MrBeast’s previous non-music record of 59.4 million views in 24 hours. With 90.4 million views in its first day, GTA 6 redefined the benchmark, competing with music videos like BTS’s “Butter,” which hit 108 million views in a day. Its ability to surpass Hollywood trailers, such as those for Frozen 2 and Spider-Man: No Way Home, underscores the franchise’s crossover appeal, bridging gaming and mainstream entertainment.
- Top competitors to the GTA 6 trailer:
- Subway Surfers: 361 million views since 2012.
- “Butter” (BTS): 108 million views in 24 hours.
- MrBeast: 59.4 million views in 24 hours (former non-music record).
- Avengers: Infinity War: 4.1 million likes (eclipsed by GTA 6).
The Grand Theft Auto legacy and 2025 outlook
Since its PlayStation 2 days, the Grand Theft Auto series has set the standard for open-world games. GTA V, launched in 2013, has sold 210 million units by February 2025, with GTA Online sustaining a vibrant player base for over a decade. This legacy raises the bar for GTA 6, which promises groundbreaking storytelling, visuals, and gameplay, as affirmed by industry veterans like Mike York, a former Rockstar animator who lauded the studio’s technical prowess. The trailer’s glimpses of Vice City suggest a world richer and more dynamic than ever before.
Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, has confirmed GTA 6’s release window for fall 2025, aligning with past launches like GTA V in September 2013 and Red Dead Redemption 2 in October 2018. Updates from August 2024 indicate no major delays, easing concerns about the studio’s history of pushing back ambitious projects. The promise of an expansive open world, with enhanced NPC interactions and detailed environments, positions GTA 6 as a potential industry game-changer.
Timeline of GTA 6 trailer milestones
The trailer’s path to 250 million views is punctuated by significant moments that highlight its impact. Below is a chronology of key events:
- December 4, 2023: Leaked trailer released early, garnering 90.4 million views in 24 hours.
- December 5, 2023: Breaks non-music video record, surpassing MrBeast’s mark.
- December 18, 2023: Hits 150 million views and becomes YouTube’s most-liked trailer.
- July 15, 2024: Reaches 200 million views, outpacing GTA V’s trailer lifetime total.
- April 2025: Achieves 250 million views and over 1 million comments.
Rockstar’s calculated approach and industry ripple effects
Rockstar Games has taken a restrained approach to GTA 6’s promotion, relying on a single trailer through April 2025. This strategy keeps anticipation sky-high, as seen when a December 2024 YouTube playlist update sparked rumors of a second trailer. Fans on Reddit and other platforms treat every Rockstar move as a potential clue, reflecting their deep investment in the franchise. The trailer’s enduring popularity, despite no new content, speaks to its craftsmanship and Rockstar’s knack for delivering iconic experiences.
The game’s influence is already reshaping the industry, with competitors adjusting their schedules to avoid clashing with GTA 6’s launch. Analysts at Circana predict the game will set new sales and engagement records, driven by its ambitious scope. Features like advanced lighting systems and interactive environments signal Rockstar’s intent to push the open-world genre forward, potentially redefining player expectations for years to come.
Fan expectations for GTA 6
The GTA 6 fanbase is abuzz with anticipation for details yet to be revealed, such as the map’s rumored scale, potentially twice that of GTA V. Lucia, the series’ first female protagonist, has fans eager to explore her role alongside Jason in a crime-centric story. Vice City’s blend of urban sprawl and rural expanses promises a varied playground, with dynamic events and realistic NPC behaviors. Speculation about GTA Online’s evolution fuels hopes for a multiplayer experience that builds on its predecessor’s success.
The trailer’s visual fidelity, praised by analysts, suggests Rockstar is fully leveraging PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S capabilities. Technologies like ray tracing and refined animations, honed in Red Dead Redemption 2, are expected to create a breathtakingly lifelike world. Fan-made content, such as trailer recreations in GTA V’s engine, highlights the community’s excitement and the graphical leap anticipated for GTA 6.
- Fan expectations for GTA 6:
- Vast map spanning urban and rural areas.
- Narrative focused on Lucia and Jason’s criminal exploits.
- Cutting-edge visuals with ray tracing and detailed animations.
- Enhanced GTA Online with dynamic, immersive events.
The road ahead and sustained excitement
The GTA 6 trailer’s success illustrates the potency of a carefully crafted campaign, even with sparse updates. Rockstar’s strategic restraint keeps fans on edge, with events like The Game Awards or Summer Game Fest eyed as potential venues for a second trailer. Social media speculation, including posts from accounts like GTASixJoker, points to a possible announcement in May or June 2025, though nothing is confirmed. The trailer’s feature in YouTube’s 20th-anniversary video in April 2025 cements its cultural weight.
Boasting 12 million likes against just 244,000 dislikes, the trailer enjoys near-universal acclaim, reflecting confidence in Rockstar’s vision. The fanbase remains active, driven by unverified leaks like a rumored April 2025 teaser shared on Reddit, which, though unconfirmed, ignited widespread debate. GTA 6’s influence is already transformative, and its release is poised to be a landmark event in gaming history.

On December 4, 2023, Rockstar Games unveiled the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), a 90-second glimpse that has since soared to over 250 million views on YouTube, cementing its place among the platform’s most-watched gaming videos. The trailer has sparked a frenzy, accumulating more than 1 million comments from fans who dissect its details, speculate on storylines, and share their excitement for the upcoming title. This milestone, reached by April 2025, highlights the global fervor surrounding the Grand Theft Auto franchise, which continues to dominate cultural conversations despite Rockstar’s silence since the trailer’s debut. The sustained interest underscores the game’s potential to redefine the gaming landscape upon its anticipated fall 2025 release.
The trailer’s significance stretches beyond its view count, positioning it as a landmark in entertainment history. Showcasing protagonists Lucia and Jason in a vibrant, reimagined Vice City, the video hints at a technological leap from GTA V, with stunning visuals and intricate details. It shattered records by garnering 90.4 million views in its first 24 hours, the highest for a non-music video, and surpassed 10 million likes, outranking cinematic giants like Avengers: Infinity War. Fans worldwide revisit the trailer, scouring it for hints about gameplay mechanics, narrative arcs, and the elusive release date, amplifying its enduring impact.
Rockstar Games is about to drop GTA 6 news very soon. pic.twitter.com/cho7hTwVHJ
— GTA 6 Updates (@miamigta6) April 24, 2025
Compared to other entertainment phenomena, GTA 6’s trailer stands out. While GTA V, released in 2013, has sold over 210 million copies by early 2025, the GTA 6 trailer has already eclipsed the lifetime views of its predecessor’s promotional video in under two years. The anticipation for the game, expected between August and November 2025, grows as fans speculate about a second trailer, potentially debuting at events like Summer Game Fest in June 2025. This sustained hype reflects Rockstar’s mastery in building excitement with minimal content.
- Key achievements of the GTA 6 trailer:
- 250 million views by April 2025.
- Over 1 million comments from fans.
- 10 million likes, surpassing Avengers: Infinity War.
- Record 90.4 million views in 24 hours for a non-music video.
A defining moment in gaming culture
The launch of the GTA 6 trailer marked a seismic event, resonating far beyond the gaming community. A leak forced Rockstar to release it early on December 4, 2023, yet the premature debut only amplified its impact, drawing attention from gamers, influencers, and even public entities. Notably, the Florida Highway Patrol incorporated trailer scenes into a promotional video for a new Corvette C8, illustrating GTA 6’s immediate cultural footprint. Vice City’s Miami-inspired setting, complete with nods to real-world incidents like the “Florida Joker,” has captivated audiences with its bold aesthetic and satirical edge.
Fan engagement on YouTube underscores the trailer’s grip on the community, with viewers analyzing every frame for clues. Social media platforms, including Reddit and accounts like GTAVI_Countdown, buzz with discussions about graphical advancements, potential easter eggs, and the game’s soundtrack. Rockstar’s single trailer has sustained this momentum without additional releases, a testament to its quality and the studio’s reputation. The video’s estimated $1 million in YouTube ad revenue further highlights its commercial influence, even before the game’s launch.
Battling for YouTube supremacy
While the GTA 6 trailer dominates, it faces stiff competition on YouTube. The promotional video for Subway Surfers, released on September 18, 2012, remains the most-viewed gaming trailer, with over 361 million views. The mobile game’s universal appeal and accessibility contrast with GTA 6’s narrative depth, yet the 111-million-view gap may shrink as Rockstar’s trailer continues to gain traction. The GTA 6 video’s rapid ascent suggests it could challenge this record before the game’s release.
The trailer has already outpaced other heavyweights, including MrBeast’s previous non-music record of 59.4 million views in 24 hours. With 90.4 million views in its first day, GTA 6 redefined the benchmark, competing with music videos like BTS’s “Butter,” which hit 108 million views in a day. Its ability to surpass Hollywood trailers, such as those for Frozen 2 and Spider-Man: No Way Home, underscores the franchise’s crossover appeal, bridging gaming and mainstream entertainment.
- Top competitors to the GTA 6 trailer:
- Subway Surfers: 361 million views since 2012.
- “Butter” (BTS): 108 million views in 24 hours.
- MrBeast: 59.4 million views in 24 hours (former non-music record).
- Avengers: Infinity War: 4.1 million likes (eclipsed by GTA 6).
The Grand Theft Auto legacy and 2025 outlook
Since its PlayStation 2 days, the Grand Theft Auto series has set the standard for open-world games. GTA V, launched in 2013, has sold 210 million units by February 2025, with GTA Online sustaining a vibrant player base for over a decade. This legacy raises the bar for GTA 6, which promises groundbreaking storytelling, visuals, and gameplay, as affirmed by industry veterans like Mike York, a former Rockstar animator who lauded the studio’s technical prowess. The trailer’s glimpses of Vice City suggest a world richer and more dynamic than ever before.
Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, has confirmed GTA 6’s release window for fall 2025, aligning with past launches like GTA V in September 2013 and Red Dead Redemption 2 in October 2018. Updates from August 2024 indicate no major delays, easing concerns about the studio’s history of pushing back ambitious projects. The promise of an expansive open world, with enhanced NPC interactions and detailed environments, positions GTA 6 as a potential industry game-changer.
Timeline of GTA 6 trailer milestones
The trailer’s path to 250 million views is punctuated by significant moments that highlight its impact. Below is a chronology of key events:
- December 4, 2023: Leaked trailer released early, garnering 90.4 million views in 24 hours.
- December 5, 2023: Breaks non-music video record, surpassing MrBeast’s mark.
- December 18, 2023: Hits 150 million views and becomes YouTube’s most-liked trailer.
- July 15, 2024: Reaches 200 million views, outpacing GTA V’s trailer lifetime total.
- April 2025: Achieves 250 million views and over 1 million comments.
Rockstar’s calculated approach and industry ripple effects
Rockstar Games has taken a restrained approach to GTA 6’s promotion, relying on a single trailer through April 2025. This strategy keeps anticipation sky-high, as seen when a December 2024 YouTube playlist update sparked rumors of a second trailer. Fans on Reddit and other platforms treat every Rockstar move as a potential clue, reflecting their deep investment in the franchise. The trailer’s enduring popularity, despite no new content, speaks to its craftsmanship and Rockstar’s knack for delivering iconic experiences.
The game’s influence is already reshaping the industry, with competitors adjusting their schedules to avoid clashing with GTA 6’s launch. Analysts at Circana predict the game will set new sales and engagement records, driven by its ambitious scope. Features like advanced lighting systems and interactive environments signal Rockstar’s intent to push the open-world genre forward, potentially redefining player expectations for years to come.
Fan expectations for GTA 6
The GTA 6 fanbase is abuzz with anticipation for details yet to be revealed, such as the map’s rumored scale, potentially twice that of GTA V. Lucia, the series’ first female protagonist, has fans eager to explore her role alongside Jason in a crime-centric story. Vice City’s blend of urban sprawl and rural expanses promises a varied playground, with dynamic events and realistic NPC behaviors. Speculation about GTA Online’s evolution fuels hopes for a multiplayer experience that builds on its predecessor’s success.
The trailer’s visual fidelity, praised by analysts, suggests Rockstar is fully leveraging PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S capabilities. Technologies like ray tracing and refined animations, honed in Red Dead Redemption 2, are expected to create a breathtakingly lifelike world. Fan-made content, such as trailer recreations in GTA V’s engine, highlights the community’s excitement and the graphical leap anticipated for GTA 6.
- Fan expectations for GTA 6:
- Vast map spanning urban and rural areas.
- Narrative focused on Lucia and Jason’s criminal exploits.
- Cutting-edge visuals with ray tracing and detailed animations.
- Enhanced GTA Online with dynamic, immersive events.
The road ahead and sustained excitement
The GTA 6 trailer’s success illustrates the potency of a carefully crafted campaign, even with sparse updates. Rockstar’s strategic restraint keeps fans on edge, with events like The Game Awards or Summer Game Fest eyed as potential venues for a second trailer. Social media speculation, including posts from accounts like GTASixJoker, points to a possible announcement in May or June 2025, though nothing is confirmed. The trailer’s feature in YouTube’s 20th-anniversary video in April 2025 cements its cultural weight.
Boasting 12 million likes against just 244,000 dislikes, the trailer enjoys near-universal acclaim, reflecting confidence in Rockstar’s vision. The fanbase remains active, driven by unverified leaks like a rumored April 2025 teaser shared on Reddit, which, though unconfirmed, ignited widespread debate. GTA 6’s influence is already transformative, and its release is poised to be a landmark event in gaming history.
