GTA 6 Leaks: Release Date, Map, Characters & Gameplay Details

Alright, folks, we are finally at the endgame of GTA 6 leaks.

If you are anything like me, then you have spent the last decade replaying GTA V, dissecting every pixel of the trailers, and surviving on a steady diet of “trust me bro” rumors from Reddit. But here we are: early 2026, and the picture is finally clear.

Rockstar Games isn’t playing coy anymore. We’ve got a concrete release window, a map that makes Los Santos look like a sandbox, and gameplay details that sound almost too good to be true. But are they?

Let’s cut to the quick: here’s the ultimate, no-BS breakdown of everything we know about GTA 6, as of right now.

GTA 6 Official Announcement

Do you remember the moment you first saw the Trailer for Vice City? When it opened up with the song “Love Is a Long Road” by Tom Petty playing, and simultaneously you were seeing Vice City as it looked today? Instagram nearly exploded when this trailer dropped.

Since that time, Rockstar has been continuously giving out little bits and pieces of information about Vice City. Regardless of how little the information was, everyone now knows one thing for sure, it’s not just another video game. It is a total cultural reboot.

The news releases from Rockstar have also finally revealed that the game will be based in Leonidas, which is a satirical, neon-lit version of Florida. The vibe is in-between being grounded and the chaos of the real world – think of Red Dead Redemption 2 and the insane things that the citizens of Florida do every day.

Expected Release Date of GTA 6

This date has been etched in stone by Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar’s parent company) in their last earnings call. They require this game to help them improve their fiscal year numbers, and let’s face facts—a holiday release in 2026 guarantees it will be the largest entertainment launch in human history.

P.S. If you hear rumors of a “November 19 2026” surprise release, don’t believe it. Rockstar loves the holiday hype cycle.

GTA 6 Leaks Map – Vice City & Beyond

GTA 6 Leaks Los Santos? Forget about it. The province of Leonida is enormous.

The credible mapping efforts from the community (using the leaked coordinates) indicate that the map size is about 2x larger than GTA V. However, it’s not just filler.

Vice City: The pièce de résistance. It’s Miami on steroids. We’re talking about a densely populated area, neon-lit strips, and an enormous airport.

Port Gellhorn: An established industrial area, probably featuring a more down-to-earth, blue-collar experience in contrast to the Vice City glamour.

The Keys (Gator Keys): A gigantic chain of islands in the south. Prepare for hovercraft chases and drug smuggling missions.

The Grassrivers: Imagine the Everglades. Swamps, mudding, and of course, an absurd amount of wildlife (alligators are back and meaner).

The leak community has also discovered mentions of a “fairyland” theme park (a Disney spoof), which would be the first time in series history in terms of sheer size.

GTA 6 Leaks Characters & Story

For the first time GTA 6 Leaks in the 3D era, we have a female protagonist. The dynamic duo has a serious Bonnie and Clyde vibe going on.

Lucia Caminos: The brains and the brawn. She’s been spotted in prison garb in the trailers, which means the story may be told through flashbacks or perhaps a prison break. She appears to be cool, calculating, and fed up with small-time scams.

Jason Duval: Her crime partner (and possibly romantic interest). Leaks indicate he may be a bit more “redneck chic” – perhaps an ex-military or tactical operative who got in over his head with the drug trade.

The Dynamic: Unlike GTA V, where you had to switch between three protagonists, the shift between Lucia and Jason is said to be almost instantaneous. You can even spot them working together in leaks—one holding up a store while the other empties the registers. It’s a beautiful case of co-dependency.

New Gameplay Features

This is where the “Next-Gen” leap actually occurs.

Heist Mechanics: You can’t simply barge into a bank with a rocket launcher. You have to case the joint. Leaks reveal players employing the use of tools such as slim jims (for cars), immobilizer bypasses, and tracker jammers.

Witness System: It’s not just “stars” anymore. If a witness spots you, they don’t simply telepath the cops. They have to call 911. You can eavesdrop on them, intimidate them, or break their phone.

Limited Carry Capacity: Taking a page from RDR2, you can’t simply carry an arsenal in your back pocket. You’ll probably be limited to a handgun and a long gun. Your car trunk is your inventory now.

Vehicles, Weapons & AI Improvements

The Police AI is frightening. Videos show that the police will remember your description, not just your name.

If you rob a store in a red shirt and get away in a yellow car, the police will look for people matching that exact description.

Change your car and your clothes? You might just get past a roadblock.

They will also surround you, throw tear gas, and break into buildings instead of just waiting outside.

Vehicle Physics: Driving feels more substantial. The physics of car suspension are completely modeled—hit a curb in a muscle car, and you’ll see the car twist. Also, water physics (vital for Vice City) are revolutionary. Waves impact boat control in real-time.

Multiplayer Mode Details

“GTA Online 2” (or whatever they decide to name it) won’t be coming out on day one. GTA 6 Leaks Rockstar will give us a few weeks to complete the story. They always do. A “living world” experience is what’s in store for us. Rather than fixed lobbies, there are rumors of 32+ player worlds that will merge seamlessly with single-player elements. The economy will probably reset, which means goodbye to your Oppressor Mk II. Thank God.

Graphics & Engine Upgrade

The game engine is RAGE v9.

Water: Real-time fluid dynamics.

Lighting: Global Illumination (Ray Tracing) is apparently a standard feature, not a special game mode.

Hair & Cloth: Extremely realistic physics. Lucia’s hair is blown by the wind. Clothes get wet and cling to the body (sweat effects are confirmed).

Supported Platforms (PS5, Xbox, PC)

Bad news for the “PC Master Race.”

Launch: PlayStation 5 (and PS5 Pro) & Xbox Series X/S.

PC: If history repeats itself, the PC version will follow in late 2027 or early 2028. Rockstar always double-dips on sales.

Latest Rockstar Updates

As of February 2026, Rockstar has been policing leaks, but also increasing marketing. We have noticed billboards in real-world cities (Miami, NYC) promoting “Vice City” travel ads. The marketing machine is coming to life.

GTA 6 FAQs

1. Will GTA 6 be available on PS4 or Xbox One?

Not on your life. The game engine, population density, and physics are just too much for old-gen consoles. It’s a current-gen (PS5/Series X) only affair.

2. How much will GTA 6 cost?

The going rate these days is $70, but there are whispers of a **$79.99** price point for the standard version of the game, simply because of its massive size. Time to start collecting those pennies.

3. Will I be able to carry over my GTA 5 Online character?

Don’t count on it. GTA 6 is a whole new engine and a whole new economy. You can bet on a clean slate, although Rockstar may offer “Legacy Rewards” (such as a prize t-shirt or vehicle) for returning players.

Final Verdict

Look, the GTA 6 hype is dangerous. It’s very easy to expect too much. But taking a look at the GTA 6 Leaks, the engine improvements, and the amount of time that Rockstar has been simmering this… it looks like they are about to raise the bar for the next 10 years of gaming.

The wait has been agonizing, but come November 2026, we’re all going to be calling in sick to work.

What do you think? Are you playing as Jason or Lucia first?

External Sources

• Rockstar Games Newswire – The only official source for confirmed news