thirteen years apart
GTA 6 vs GTA 5
Side by side, with sources
GTA 6 answers › GTA 6 vs GTA 5
GTA 6 is a bigger, slower and more systemic game than GTA 5: a whole state, two leads, and no online mode at launch.
GTA 5 came out in September 2013. GTA 6 follows in November 2026. Here is how the two compare on the numbers Rockstar and the press have published.
The numbers
| GTA 5 | GTA 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| First release | September 17, 2013 | November 19, 2026 |
| Launch consoles | PS3 and Xbox 360 | PS5 and Xbox Series X|S |
| Launch price (US) | $59.99 | $79.99 |
| Setting | Los Santos and Blaine County | The state of Leonida, including Vice City |
| Playable leads | Three: Michael, Franklin, Trevor | Two: Jason and Lucia |
| Animal species | About 28 | More than 170 (Game Informer) |
| Online at launch | GTA Online, two weeks later | None announced |
| PC version | About 19 months later | Not announced |
Map size
Rockstar told Edge that Leonida has nearly as much land as GTA IV, GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 combined, and Edge describes it as roughly twice the size of GTA 5's map. Reported Rockstar's own comparison is about three times Red Dead Redemption 2. It has not published a figure in square miles. More in our map-size story.
What plays differently
Six wanted stars that need a witness before they start. Police who work from a description of you. Cars with fuel and engine health. A slower day and night cycle. A Criminal Profile that tracks how you commit crimes and never resets. Confirmed Each of these is explained in GTA 6 vs GTA V, system by system.
Length
Rockstar North's Rob Nelson told The New York Times that one playthrough took him about 80 hours, covering the main story and optional goals that affect the narrative. Confirmed Rockstar has not published an official length. GTA 5's story is usually finished in far less. Our reading
Quick answers
Is the GTA 6 map bigger than GTA 5?
Yes. Edge describes it as roughly twice the size, based on what Rockstar told the magazine.
Is GTA 6 more expensive than GTA 5?
Yes. GTA 5 launched at $59.99 in 2013. GTA 6 is $79.99 for the Standard Edition.
Does GTA 6 replace GTA Online?
No. Take-Two says the current GTA Online will keep being supported. No GTA 6 online mode has been announced.
Related pages
Sources: Edge magazine and Game Informer cover stories (2026); The New York Times (Rob Nelson interview, August 2026); Rockstar Games; Take-Two Interactive. Last checked 2026-11-12.