Rockstar Games released a 26-minute extended look of Grand Theft Auto 6 on Netflix on May 10, 2025, marking the first official glimpse of the game in action since a 2022 trailer. The preview, which aired six hours before appearing on YouTube, showcased detailed environments, photorealistic graphics, and gameplay segments including car chases and shoot-outs, according to the BBC.

A Dual Protagonist System and Player Choices

The preview focused heavily on the relationship between the two protagonists, Jason Duval and Lucia Camino, described as the “Bonnie and Clyde” of the story, but the developers confirmed that players can influence the characters’ bond or choose to avoid developing it entirely, according to IGN. The footage showed the ability to switch control between the two characters during specific scenes, such as when Jason lowers Lucia from a window during an escape sequence. This system echoes the three-character switching in Grand Theft Auto 5.

First-ever World Design and Player Engagement

According to IGN, the new open world of GTA 6, set in a fictional city named Leonida, feels more densely populated and immersive than previous titles. The 30-minute gameplay session revealed at Rockstar North showed a world that feels less like a game and more like a parallel universe. The game promises a highly connected and detailed world filled with side quests, secrets, and a variety of activities, including fishing, car restoration, and stolen goods fencing, as revealed through the Ultimate Edition, according to IGN Japan.

The Ultimate Edition, priced at $100, includes a collection of premium vehicles, weapons, and outfits, and it also provides early insight into the gameplay mechanics, including the ability to customize vehicles and interact with the environment in new ways. The edition includes a special weapon and outfit that is not available in the standard version, according to IGN Japan.

Controversy and Social Media Tensions

The leak of the GTA 6 trailer on X (formerly Twitter) occurred a day before the official release, prompting Rockstar to express its disappointment. Elon Musk, who has previously stated he does not enjoy playing Grand Theft Auto due to the game’s violent content, responded to a user by saying, “Tried, but didn’t like doing crime,” according to Mashable. X CEO Linda Yaccarino had separately reached out to Rockstar, encouraging the company to post the trailer directly on the platform, saying, “Drop that trailer here — give the people on @X what they want!!”

Rockstar had previously described the unauthorized leaks as “heartbreaking,” according to the BBC; the developer had been “heartbroken” to see the footage shared online before the official release. The trailer leak, which occurred on X, highlights the growing tensions between Rockstar and social media platforms over content control and exclusivity.

The GTA 6 extended look and the 22 gameplay details from the Ultimate Edition have generated widespread excitement ahead of the November 19, 2025, release — the game is expected to be one of the most anticipated titles of the year, with fans praising its graphics, world design, and narrative depth. The game’s immersive world and branching storylines suggest a new era for the Grand Theft Auto series, according to IGN.