Grand Theft Auto VI is now downloadable. Pre-loading has begun rolling out around the world, which means the decade-long wait is down to a single download bar. The file is enormous, though, so the next several days are best spent clearing space and getting a head start.
Players have until midnight local time on November 19th, when the game launches. With a download this size, most people will want to start well before then.
PS5: A Staggered, Time-Zone-Based Rollout
On PlayStation 5, pre-loading unlocks at midnight local time on Tuesday, November 10th. Every region gets access as its own clock strikes twelve, so the rollout moves across the globe in waves.
New Zealand was first, followed closely by Australia. Players in the Americas will wait nearly a full day longer than those at the front of the line.
Xbox Series X|S: One Global Start Time
Xbox is taking a different approach. Pre-loading opens everywhere at once, at 12am GMT on Tuesday, November 10th, no matter where you live. A player in New Zealand and a player on the US west coast get access at the same moment.
Make sure your console is fully updated before then so nothing slows you down.
Anyone buying a boxed copy with a code in the box has an easy workaround. Codes only become available to pick up from the 12th, but you don't need to wait for that. Open the Xbox app on your phone, find GTA VI in the store, and choose your console to install to. The game will download in the background, and you can redeem the code whenever you get it.
How Big Is GTA 6?
The numbers, first shared by @MrDalekJD, are huge:
PS5: about 209.75GB to download, around 212GB once installed
Xbox Series X|S: about 225.34GB to download
Players in Japan will see a slightly smaller package on both platforms. The Japanese version is missing more than 1GB of content, which has led to speculation that it's down to regional censorship.
Anyone with a nearly full SSD should plan ahead. A game this size could mean uninstalling a few other titles, or an external drive if your setup supports one.
Pre-Loading Is Also Leaking the Game
With the files now in players' hands, the leaks have started. The game's main menu music has already surfaced from the pre-load, and more datamined discoveries are likely over the coming days.
Pre-loading also affects launch day. Once the game is installed, you can play it nearly a day early if you live in a region where midnight arrives first, as the staggered launch time works its way around the world.
Recommended Comments