The next Grand Theft Auto game is launching soon, and players around the world are gearing up for the release of GTA 6. According to the developers, it will be a massive upgrade from GTA 5. While this is exciting, it also means that many previous-gen platforms may not support GTA 6. Whether it’s due to graphics or features, only time will tell. For now, let’s try to figure out whether GTA 6 will be released on PS4 and Xbox One.
Is GTA 6 Coming to PS4 & Xbox One?
Let’s get straight to the point: No, GTA 6 will not be coming to PS4 and Xbox One. This is the most straightforward answer for users of older consoles. Rockstar confirmed this in the first GTA 6 trailer, and the official Grand Theft Auto 6 website now lists the supported platforms. Rockstar has stated that the upcoming GTA game will launch for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in fall 2025.
Is GTA 6 Next-Gen Only and Why?
Yes, according to Rockstar Games’ confirmation, their most ambitious project to date is being made exclusively for next-gen consoles. This means you won’t be able to play the upcoming Grand Theft Auto on PS4 or Xbox One. But why is that?
One of the main reasons GTA 6 will be exclusive to new-generation consoles is the massive GTA 6 map. If you’ve seen glimpses of the game, you’ll notice how expansive Vice City and the surrounding areas have been designed. The sheer scale and detail of the map are likely too much for older consoles to handle.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s immense scale and visual fidelity will undoubtedly exceed the capabilities of the Xbox One and PS4. Even the PS4 Slim would likely struggle to run the game, based on the rumored GTA 6 specs.
Leaks suggest the game’s map is a staggering 48.2 square miles, nearly doubling the size of GTA 5’s San Andreas, which is 29.2 square miles. The photorealistic graphics showcased in the trailer further point to a demand for powerful hardware that older, decade-old consoles simply can’t support.
Even running GTA 5 puts a strain on older systems, with lengthy load times in GTA Online leading Rockstar to remove certain features. As the requirements for GTA 5 continue to increase, it’s clear that older consoles are not equipped to handle such demands. Given this, Rockstar is likely concerned about the limitations of these systems. Despite the nostalgia, it’s evident why GTA 6 is skipping the PS4 and Xbox One they simply can’t support the game.
Will GTA 6 Run on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S?
Rockstar has confirmed that GTA 6 will run on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. However, some rumors suggest that the game may struggle to hit 60 frames per second. Mike York, a former Rockstar employee and animator, mentioned, “I don’t know if they’ll be able to pull off 60 FPS.”
He further explained that Rockstar prioritized gameplay quality at 30 FPS instead of pushing for 60 FPS at the cost of the experience. With the release of the PS5 Pro, we can expect Rockstar to include an enhanced mode for the console, leveraging the full power of the hardware to provide higher quality and frame rates in GTA 6.
Another former artist has confirmed that GTA 6 will feature a 60 FPS mode. While I don’t mind a solid gameplay experience at 30 FPS in GTA 6, I’m particularly curious about how the Xbox Series S will perform. As we know, the Series S has lower specs and struggles with running current-gen games. Given GTA 6‘s demanding nature, we might see reduced textures and fewer features in the Series S edition.
With no PC version available at launch and both PS4 and Xbox One excluded, GTA 6 seems to be fully embracing the new generation of consoles. What are your thoughts on this shift? Let us know in the comments below.
