Ex-Rockstar Dev: No More GTA 6 Trailers Needed Due to High Hype

As fans eagerly await more news on Grand Theft Auto 6 following the release of Trailer 1 in December 2023, a former Rockstar developer has stirred the pot by suggesting that no more trailers should be released before the game's launch. Rockstar released GTA 6 Trailer 1 to record-breaking viewership, yet has not shared any additional assets since, leading to a year-and-a-half wait that has fueled increasingly wild conspiracy theories about the release of GTA 6 Trailer 2.

These theories range from counting the holes in Lucia's cell door net and bullet holes in the car from Trailer 1 to analyzing registration plates. The most notable theory, the ongoing moon watch, successfully predicted the announcement date for Trailer 1 but was debunked as a hint at the release date for Trailer 2.

The burning question on everyone's mind is: when will GTA 6 Trailer 2 be released? Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, hinted that fans might need to wait until much closer to the game's projected fall 2025 release date for another glimpse. However, Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar Games technical director who worked on the series until 2008's Grand Theft Auto 4, tweeted that if it were up to him, he would not release any additional trailers. He believes the existing hype around GTA 6 is sufficient, and the element of surprise would make the game's launch an even bigger event. Vermeij went on to say that announcing only the release date would be a "boss move."

Despite the first trailer being labeled as "GTA 6 Trailer 1," suggesting more trailers might follow, Vermeij's insights hint at possible shifts in strategy. He shared that Rockstar delayed GTA 4 just three months before its initial release date in 2007, suggesting a similar "decision day" might occur for GTA 6 around Take-Two's August earnings report.

99 Details in the GTA 6 Trailer - Slideshow

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In a Bloomberg interview in March, Zelnick addressed the secrecy surrounding GTA 6's release date, emphasizing the unparalleled anticipation for the title. He explained that Rockstar's strategy is to release marketing materials close to the launch to maintain excitement while balancing unmet anticipation.

Mike York, a former Rockstar animator who contributed to Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, discussed on his YouTube channel how Rockstar is capitalizing on the conspiracy theories. By staying silent, Rockstar fosters speculation and discussion within the community, creating allure and mystery that amplifies the game's buzz without any additional effort from the studio.

York further noted that Rockstar resists pressure to announce the GTA 6 Trailer 2 release date to maintain this marketing tactic, which encourages fans to engage with each other and the game through theories and speculation.

Zelnick's comments suggest that GTA 6 Trailer 2, if it exists, may not be released until closer to the game's fall 2025 release date, assuming no delays. As fans wait, they can explore IGN's coverage, including insights from another ex-Rockstar developer on potential delays until May 2025, Zelnick's thoughts on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6, and expert analysis on whether the PS5 Pro can run GTA 6 at 60 frames per second.