The second Trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI has reached over 475 million views across platforms, according to developer Rockstar Games. The company states this represents the biggest video launch of all time.
The view count for the latest look at GTA 6 contrasts with the first trailer, released in 2023 as a YouTube exclusive. That initial video garnered 93 million views in a similar timeframe.
In comparison, trailers for upcoming films such as Deadpool & Wolverine debuted to 365 million views, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps drew over 200 million views.
Despite the massive interest, the game's release date may be delayed until 2026, according to reports.
The second Grand Theft Auto VI trailer views record offers a look at the game's narrative focus, centering on a romantic relationship between protagonists Lucia and Jason.
Lucia is depicted as recently out of jail, aiming to improve her life, while Jason is presented as an ex-military figure working for drug runners. They form a connection and plan a heist in Vice City that goes awry, drawing them into a larger conspiracy.
This focus on a central romantic coupling marks a departure for the series, which has typically featured protagonists who are loners or have relationships rooted in dysfunction rather than romance.
The GTA universe has previously included brief romantic entanglements, but they have not been a primary narrative drive. Lucia is also the series' first female lead protagonist.
Narrative inspirations for the game's story appear to draw from cinematic portrayals of outlaw couples, such as Bonnie and Clyde.
While player choices are not expected to heavily influence the core romantic narrative in the main game, the interest in player-driven relationships is evident in the popular role-playing servers within GTA Online. The GTA6 romance between Lucia and Jason is expected to add an emotional layer to the game's world.
