GTA 6 launch plans accelerated as earlier pre-load confirmed by Rockstar

Grand Theft Auto VI has officially accelerated its launch plans with the game's pre-load now beginning two days earlier for those that have pre-ordered a digital copy of the game.

While pre-loads were originally due to begin on November 12, those with digital pre-orders will now be able to install the game from November 10.

"Digital pre-loading on PlayStation 5 will begin on Tuesday, November 10 at midnight local time in your respective time zone. On XBOX Series X/S, pre-loading begins globally on Tuesday, November 10 at 12 am GMT," Rockstar Games clarified on its blog.

If you're not familiar, pre-loads allow you to install a game ahead of its launch day, but you won't actually be able to access GTA VI until it officially launches on November 19.

As for those who have pre-ordered 'code-in-a-box' versions, those will still pre-load from November 12.

GTA VI's enormous file size could explain why Rockstar Games is shifting the pre-load date forwards.

Rockstar Games has also confirmed GTA VI's file size, confirming a former leak to be pretty accurate

Rockstar Games

It was previously leaked that GTA VI boasted a file size of 210GB on PlayStation; that now appears to be accurate as Rockstar Games has confirmed a pre-load file size of "up to 212GB depending on your device", as game sizes often differ between PlayStation and Xbox.

In order to pre-load on PlayStation 5, it's recommended that you have auto-downloads enabled with your console either powered on or in Rest Mode.

As for Xbox, you'll also need automatic updates enabled and your console powered on or in Sleep Mode.

Twitter/X user Squawk Gaming previously shared what fans can expect in terms of the duration of GTA VI's install. This was based on the leaked size of 210GB which is only 2GB off Rockstar Games' officially confirmed size.

For a reported 210GB download, estimated install times are as follows, based on different internet speeds:

• 10 Gbps: 2 minutes and 48 seconds
• 1 Gbps: 28 minutes
• 100 Mbps: 4 hours and 40 minutes
• 10 Mbps: 1 day, 22 hours and 40 minutes

READ MORE: GTA 6 sets out new conditions for PS5 players as the countdown to launch begins

GTA VI players can also get their hands on a free real-life Leonida map

Very few households will be on those upper estimates with the 100 Mbps estimate perhaps closest to what most gamers can expect.

Additionally, Rockstar Games has also outlined a brand new launch collectible that fans can get their hands on: a map of Leonida and a poster of GTA VI's cover art.

From November 19, both gifts will become available with the GTA VI cover art poster launching as an official printable and Leonida's map being made available as a free download via the game's official website. Both of these will be completely free to claim.

If you don't wish to print the GTA VI cover art poster yourself, a double-sided physical version is going to be added to the Rockstar Store, also on November 19. It'll be available for just $0.99 on its own, or fans will get it for free with any other purchase from the store.