It's getting real: Rockstar and Sony have confirmed when you'll be able to pre-download Grand Theft Auto VI. The preload officially begins on Tuesday, November 10 – nine days before its release on November 19. So, if you've pre-ordered, you can get the game installed on your drive before launch and jump straight in on release day.
When Exactly Does the GTA 6 Preload Start?
According to the PlayStation Blog, the PS5 preload kicks off on November 10 at midnight local time. For Xbox, Polygon states the preload begins on November 10 at 0:00 AM GMT. This means, for players in regions like Central Europe, the Xbox version will start at 1:00 AM local time, while the PS5 start time will align with your specific local timezone. In both cases, a pre-order from the respective store is required.
- Preload Start: November 10, Midnight (PS5: Local Time, Xbox: GMT)
- Release: November 19
- Storage Required: At least 212 GB free
- Physical Version: Retail boxes containing a download code will be available from November 12, according to Polygon
How Much Storage Space Does GTA 6 Need on Console?
Sony specifies 212 GB as the minimum you'll need to clear on your PS5. That's a huge chunk – many standard PS5s quickly fill up with their internal SSDs anyway. So, it's better to plan today, rather than on November 10, which games need to go, or if a storage expansion is due. Anyone who only starts clearing space on preload day will lose exactly the time that the pre-download is supposed to save.
What Does This Mean for PS5 and Xbox Players?
Our assessment: For a game of this size, the preload launch will put significant strain on Sony and Microsoft's servers. Expect longer download times in the initial hours, and ideally, avoid starting the download during peak times. It's also worth checking your console itself: The PS5 recently received two firmware updates in a short period – we reported on this in our article about the new PS5 firmware update before the GTA release. So, keep your console up to date.
The sheer demand is also evident from the survey showing 70 percent purchase interest, which we recently covered. For Rockstar, November 10 will mark the first major stress test.
As a little extra, from November 19, Rockstar will be offering the cover art and the Leonida map as a printable poster for free on the official website. A double-sided poster featuring both designs will also be available directly from Rockstar for $0.99 USD. According to its own blog, Sony plans to provide further details on GTA 6 closer to release.
Source: PlayStation Blog, Polygon
Have you already made space on your console? Tell us in the comments what you're making room for to play GTA 6!
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