GTA 6 PlayStation exclusivity speculation divides fans

As wild as it feels for me to even write this, it's looking increasingly likely - bar any delays - that GTA VI will finally launch this year.

The long-awaited sequel is scheduled to land on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2025, with a PC launch scheduled for... sometime after.

It's already been pointed out that Xbox has one major advantage for GTA VI players, but the notion of PlayStation exclusivity is one that has divided some fans.

Industry analyst Rhys Elliott of MIDiA Research recently spoke to Windows Central, revealing they believe PlayStation will nab exclusive marketing rights for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto.

"The sad-dad blue elephant in the room here is the likelihood that PlayStation – not Microsoft – will secure the marketing rights to GTA VI," they said.

"Hogwarts Legacy got plenty of non-console owners to buy consoles, and most landed on the PS5, owing to PlayStation securing the marketing rights. It is worth noting that PlayStation would very much want the same thing to happen with GTA 6. Take Two also of course wants to sell the most copies it can and would do so via PS5’s higher installed base. That’s why I reckon PlayStation will get the rights."

This isn't the first time it's been suggested PlayStation will nab the marketing rights, with rumours swirling at the tail-end of 2024. For many gamers, this seems like a natural and unsurprising fit.

"They definitely will bundle the PS5 Pro with the game, didn't they do the same with the PS3 Super Slim and GTA V?" one Reddit user wrote.

Another added: "I would have said this is insanely unlikely in years past. But, all the people saying R* would never do this makes me think that is just something they might do. Never let them guess your next move."

"GTA has always been a PlayStation staple, it might not be exclusive but they've always had first shout," a third observed.

Not everyone is particularly happy with this potential partnership, mind you.

"I think it's about making your console seem like the 'correct' one for the game, sure, you can play on the other one, but it won't feel right," wrote one fan. "It's all a bunch of bullshit but it works for some reason, lol."

Another summed up: "If this rumor is true...oh boy."

Elliott also pointed out Xbox could have a huge win by positioning the cheaper Series S console as the best way for more casual gamers who haven't yet upgraded to play GTA VI - an idea that only really works if PlayStation doesn't get exclusive marketing rights.