Preorder rumors for Grand Theft Auto 6 collapsed on Monday as industry sources contradicted earlier claims. Best Buy affiliate program members had shared emails suggesting GTA 6 preorders would launch May 18, sparking speculation that Rockstar would release a third trailer alongside the announcement. Neither happened.
A moderator in the GTA Forums cited a source at a European distribution company stating definitively that no preorders materialized. The false alarm dampens months of anticipation around pricing and availability details for what will become one of gaming's most expensive launches. Rockstar has maintained strict control over GTA 6 information since announcing the game last December.
The publisher released two trailers last year but hasn't committed to concrete release windows or preorder dates. This reticence fuels constant speculation across forums and social media, where rumors about pricing, platform exclusivity windows, and launch windows regularly spread without verification.
GTA 6 arrives as a next-gen exclusive for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in fall 2025. Rockstar hasn't confirmed a specific quarter or month. The game's reported $150 million development budget signals a premium price point, possibly exceeding the $69.99 standard for next-gen AAA titles, but nothing official exists. Industry observers expect $69.99 to $79.99 pricing based on comparable releases.
The preorder rumors follow a pattern established after the announcement. Fan communities dissect every Rockstar statement and social media post for hidden signals. Third-party retailers occasionally leak information ahead of official channels, creating feeding frenzies that sometimes prove baseless. Rockstar's marketing strategy deliberately stretches announcement-to-launch timelines, maximizing media coverage across multiple reveal cycles.
GTA 6 represents the franchise's first mainline installment since GTA V shipped in 2013. The eleven-