Preorders for the highly anticipated GTA 6 have officially commenced, with the game set to launch on November 19. However, PC gamers find themselves in a state of limbo, as Rockstar Games has chosen to release the title exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for the time being. This decision leaves PC enthusiasts without a preorder option or a confirmed release date.
Console Preorder Insights
According to reports from Polygon, the preorder rollout for consoles includes several editions, with the 0 version notably gaining traction among early buyers. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick recently highlighted this edition as the most popular choice, indicating a strong demand for premium content. Despite the excitement surrounding the console release, Rockstar has yet to provide any information regarding a potential PC version, a pattern consistent with the studio’s historical approach of prioritizing console launches before catering to the PC market.
This delay has inadvertently created a unique opportunity for another title to emerge. Turkish developer Brgames Interactive is set to launch Phantom Vice Auto in Steam Early Access on the same day GTA 6 debuts on consoles. This game promises an open-world experience filled with driving, shooting, and gameplay mechanics reminiscent of the beloved Grand Theft Auto series. The title and logo of Phantom Vice Auto also evoke a sense of familiarity with Rockstar’s franchise.
As detailed in its Steam description, Phantom Vice Auto will feature three playable characters: a street-smart hustler, a disgraced former agent, and a cold-blooded mercenary. Additionally, the developer has announced plans for an online mode that will accommodate up to 32 players. Notably, Brgames Interactive’s website indicates that a small team of just three individuals has been working on this project, which reportedly began development in 2024.
In light of the ongoing console-first strategy, a former producer from Rockstar has shed light on the rationale behind this approach. The company has historically favored platforms with fixed hardware specifications, which simplifies the development process. In contrast, PC gaming requires developers to navigate a broader array of hardware configurations, adding complexity to the release timeline.
