GTA 6 vs GTA 5: What’s Different in the New Game

With more than 13 years between mainline releases, Grand Theft Auto VI has a lot to live up to. Here’s how it compares to its record-breaking predecessor across the areas that matter most.

Setting: Vice City vs Los Santos

GTA V was set in Los Santos, a fictionalized Los Angeles, with a sprawling desert and countryside surrounding it. GTA 6 shifts to a modern, expanded Vice City, based on Miami, within the fictional state of Leonida — reportedly the largest map in series history.

Protagonists: Three Men vs a Duo

GTA V famously let players switch between three protagonists (Michael, Franklin, and Trevor). GTA 6 narrows this to two protagonists, Lucia and Jason, notably introducing the series’ first-ever female lead.

Price: A Significant Jump

• GTA V (2013 launch): $59.99
• GTA 6 (2026 launch): $79.99 Standard / $99.99 Ultimate

This reflects the broader industry-wide shift toward higher AAA pricing over the past decade.

Platforms at Launch

• GTA V launched on Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2013, later ported to Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
• GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only, with no PC version confirmed yet — following a similar console-first, PC-later pattern.

Development Time

GTA V released in 2013, meaning GTA 6 arrives after a 13-year gap — by far the longest wait between mainline entries in the series’ history, reflecting the scale and ambition of the new title.

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