Art © Rockstar GamesGTA 6 tips and tricks
GTA 6 is not out until 19 November, so nobody has real in-game tips yet. Here are 11 things worth doing before launch, and what Rockstar has confirmed about how the game works. In-game tips go up from day one, each one tested first.
Before launch night
Most urgent first.
Start the preload today
Preload has been open since 10 November. The download is up to 212 GB, so start it now and the game is ready the moment it unlocks.
Size and preloadMake room first
You need up to 212 GB free. On an Xbox Series S that is more than half the drive, so delete or move games you are not playing.
How much space each console hasBuy before 20 November for the free pack
Every copy bought before 20 November comes with the Vintage Vice City Pack: a '55 Vapid Stanier, a garage, two outfits and a weapon pattern. It does not matter if you pick Standard or Ultimate, digital or boxed.
What is in each editionNot sure about Ultimate? Start with Standard
Standard has the whole story. Ultimate adds cosmetic extras like cars, weapons and outfits. You can buy the Ultimate Edition Upgrade later on the PlayStation or Xbox store; it is $20 on the US Xbox store.
Standard or UltimateA boxed copy still needs the download
Boxed copies hold a download code, not a disc. You still need the space and the time to download, so do not leave it for launch night.
Buy a code for your own region
PlayStation codes must match the region group of your account. Xbox codes work in any region. Check this before you buy from another country.
Where you can buy itKnow your unlock time
GTA 6 unlocks at midnight local time on 19 November. In the US the PlayStation Store lists midnight Eastern for the whole country, so look at the countdown on your own store page.
Unlock timeUpdate your console now
Install the latest system update before launch night, so nothing else is waiting when the game unlocks.
Do not hunt for a 60 fps mode
The game aims for 30 frames per second on every console. No 60 fps or performance mode has been announced. PS5 Pro gets a sharper picture, not a faster one.
Frame rate on each consoleOnly have an Xbox One? You can stream it
Xbox One cannot run GTA 6 itself, but it can stream it with Xbox Cloud Gaming. You need a fast, steady connection.
Xbox One and cloud playIgnore cheat lists for now
Rockstar has not confirmed any cheat code. Any list posted before launch is made up. We add each code only after testing it in the game.
GTA 6 cheats
Good to know for your first hour
Rockstar has said all of this itself. We have not played the game yet, so we cannot tell you more than that.
You can play offline, alone
Rockstar calls GTA 6 a single-player game, and the PlayStation Store lists offline play. No online mode has been announced, so you do not need a subscription to play the story.
GTA 6 OnlineStash stolen goods in a garage
The bonus garages have a weapon locker and a safe spot to keep stolen goods until you sell them. If you bought before 20 November, the Shore Court garage near Ocean Beach is one of them.
Ultimate items arrive bit by bit
The story is split into chapters, and Ultimate Edition items unlock as you move through them. Do not expect every car and outfit in the first hour.
Take the radio with you
Jason and Lucia carry phones with earbuds, so radio stations and podcasts play on foot as well as in cars.
Turn the controller rumble down if you want
On PS5 the DualSense rumbles and pushes back all through the game. You can turn this down in the accessibility settings.
Play away from the TV
Remote Play is fully supported on PlayStation and Xbox, so you can carry on from a phone, tablet or handheld on your home network.
Get the free printable map on launch day
On 19 November Rockstar adds a free printable map of Leonida to the GTA VI site. Our own map has every place found so far.
GTA 6 mapThere is more to do than missions
Rockstar mentions fishing, hunting, kayaking and off-road trails, mostly around Mount Kalaga and Gambit Bay.
Places in Leonida
In-game tips, from launch day
These are the first things we will test once the game unlocks. Each tip goes up only after we have tried it ourselves on PS5 or Xbox.
- The quickest ways to make money early on
- How to lose the police at each wanted level
- Good first cars, and where they are parked
- How saving works, and where the safehouses are
- How switching between Jason and Lucia works
- Settings worth changing before you start