Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI can be pre-loaded from Tuesday, November 10, nine days before the game launches on November 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Rockstar published the details on November 3, according to IGN, Eurogamer, Video Games Chronicle and Dexerto, and the pre-load date was also posted by Sony on the PlayStation Blog and by Microsoft on Xbox Wire.
Start times differ by platform. On PS5, pre-loading opens at midnight local time in each player's own time zone, which Video Games Chronicle noted means players in New Zealand can begin first. On Xbox Series X|S, it opens at the same moment worldwide, 12am GMT on November 10, which is 4pm PT and 7pm ET on November 9, IGN reported. Eurogamer listed the Xbox start as 1am CEST, 8am in Beijing and 9am JST on November 10.
Rockstar said the pre-load file is up to 212GB "depending on your device," according to IGN. Sony's PlayStation Blog told PS5 owners to clear a minimum of 212GB and said pre-download is open to players who have pre-ordered. Dexerto noted the official figure is slightly above the 210GB download size reported earlier. Eurogamer said Rockstar's support site carries pre-load instructions for both consoles, with the process starting from a pre-order on each platform's digital store.
Code-in-box retail versions should be available from retailers starting November 12, Rockstar said, per IGN and Video Games Chronicle. Polygon noted that the boxed version contains a download code rather than a disc. Rockstar also confirmed that the game itself will unlock using a local-midnight release strategy across PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, IGN reported.
On launch day, Rockstar plans to add a printable cover-art poster and a map of Leonida, the game's setting, as free digital downloads on its official website. A double-sided physical version of the poster will be sold through the Rockstar Store shortly after launch for $0.99, or included free with any Rockstar Store purchase, according to IGN and Video Games Chronicle. Dexerto reported that fans had been hoping for a physical map in the boxed release, given the decision to ship the game without a disc.
