MUMBAI – It seems the road to Grand Theft Auto VI has hit another traffic jam, only this time it is made of rumours, retailer leaks and a fanbase revving its engines.
Fresh speculation around the long-awaited title reached fever pitch this week after an apparent email from Best Buy suggested pre-orders for GTA 6 could open on May 18. The leak, which quickly spread across gaming forums and social media, triggered excitement among fans and sent investors rushing in, with shares in Take-Two Interactive reportedly adding nearly $2 billion in market value within hours.
The email, allegedly sent to affiliate marketing partners, claimed a promotional campaign tied to GTA 6 pre-orders would run from May 18 to May 21. Screenshots soon circulated online, prompting widespread speculation that Rockstar Games was quietly preparing to launch retail listings.
For fans, the timing seemed to make sense. Rockstar has already confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Opening pre-orders roughly six months before release would fit the company’s usual marketing rhythm.
But before fans could start counting down to checkout, another voice entered the chat.
According to Insider Gaming, while the Best Buy email appears genuine, the May 18 date itself may not be. The outlet reports that industry insiders believe Rockstar’s major marketing push is more likely to begin in July or August, suggesting eager players may need to keep their wallets holstered for a little longer.
That has not stopped speculation around Trailer 3, which many fans now believe could arrive alongside pre-orders whenever they do open. Rockstar has not confirmed a release date for a third trailer, but online sleuths have linked the timing to Take-Two Interactive’s earnings call on May 21, often viewed as a strategic moment for major announcements.
The trailer chatter has also been fuelled by Rockstar’s earlier promise that formal launch marketing would begin in summer 2026, giving rumour-watchers plenty to dissect.
Meanwhile, Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly added to the anticipation. Reports suggest some users who wishlisted GTA 6 on older PlayStation hardware were prompted to upgrade to a PlayStation 5 to prepare for launch, a subtle reminder that the countdown is very much on.
Pricing remains another open question. Rockstar has yet to confirm what GTA 6 will cost, though speculation continues around a possible £70 to £80 equivalent price point, slightly above the current standard for premium console releases. Earlier whispers of a much steeper launch price have largely been dismissed, but official confirmation is still missing.
For now, fans are left where they have often found themselves during the GTA 6 saga: somewhere between excitement and exhaustion. Whether May brings pre-orders, a trailer, or simply another round of internet detective work, one thing is certain: Rockstar knows exactly how to keep players on the hook.
