2025 has proven to be an incredible year for gaming so far, but nothing in the last five years will compare to the humongous release of Rockstar’s magnum opus next year. Hot off the heels of two back-to-back hits, the studio is gearing up to release GTA 6 in May 2026.
With what little of the game Rockstar has shown off so far, anticipation is already at an all-time high, but there is just one small problem. GTA 6, like its predecessors, will launch as a console exclusive, ignoring the massive PC market next year.
This will not do much to harm the game, and on the contrary, will likely boost console sales by a significant margin. However, there is a strong argument to be made for GTA 6 hitting PC storefronts much sooner than past Rockstar releases.
Pushing GTA 6 To Its Limits
It’s no secret that Rockstar’s decision to pursue console exclusivity will benefit GTA 6 in the technical aspects. By foregoing the need to optimize for the dozen combinations of PC hardware, GTA 6 will maximize what Sony and Microsoft’s latest systems can do, and this is already evident from the latest trailer. Still, console hardware can only do so much. Just as GTA 5 sometimes proved overly ambitious for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, GTA 6’s expansive open world seems to be taxing the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series S|X beyond all expectations.
The game is expected to run at a measly 30FPS to ensure Rockstar’s vision remains uncompromised, but frame rate will not be a concern on PC. In the years that have followed the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X’s release, PC hardware has made incredible strides. In particular, AMD and Intel’s newest CPUs are significantly better than the Zen 2 architecture found in the consoles, making the 60FPS dream possible for GTA 6. Similarly, modern Nvidia graphics cards boast ray tracing and AI capabilities that blow the consoles out of the water.
Because GTA 6’s lighting system is built around ray tracing, Rockstar’s technical expertise will truly shine when paired with the latest and greatest hardware on PC, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Other perks like Nvidia’s DLSS, mod support, and mouse and keyboard aiming would make the GTA 6 experience on PC the definitive way to play the game.
The Era of Exclusivity Is Over
Rockstar has never been one to follow in the industry’s footsteps; the gaming giant practically makes its own rules. However, all signs point to the era of exclusivity being on its way out. Between PlayStation expediting its own PC releases and Xbox having committed to PC gaming years ago, this platform has become an intersection point for the industry. This is also why the platform has grown so rapidly over the last few years, but more on that later.
GTA 6, by all means, will not be a true exclusive, but the industry’s current state might mean that some gamers will hold out for a PC release. Compared to a decade ago, gamers are more educated on the technical differences between consoles and PC, and many even believe 60FPS gaming is the bare minimum all current-generation titles should aim for.
With GTA 6 expected to be locked at 30FPS on consoles, including the PS5 Pro, some fans might simply choose to wait a bit longer for the game on PC. In fact, this might be the route I end up going as well. The PC audience has also become accustomed to waiting a small while for PlayStation’s ports, so there’s no telling how many will run out to buy consoles for GTA 6 alone. Of course, GTA 6 is unlike anything else in the industry, but Rockstar would only benefit from a faster release on PC.
PC Gaming's Current Domination
At the time of writing, the PS5 and Xbox Series S|X boast a market of no more than 110 million users in total, with the PS5 accounting for over 80 million of all players. We can expect the anticipation surrounding GTA 6 and impending discounts to boost these numbers drastically, but the PC market is no slouch either. Newzoo estimates reveal that this segment of the industry grew at a faster rate than consoles between 2021 and 2024.
Additionally, PC gaming is expected to continue growing at a steady pace of 2.6% from now till 2027. According to these estimates, the market should grow to about $40 billion or more by the time GTA 6 hits the platform. Assuming the game launches just one year after consoles, the PC market will be just a bit smaller than the total console market in 2026. This would be a huge opportunity for GTA 6 to gain an additional chunk of sales within the first two years, with both console and PC audiences rushing to buy the game in droves.
While Rockstar would have much to gain from quickly porting the game to PC, there’s no telling how things wil go. The team has historically shown to work at its own pace, and let’s be honest, GTA 6 will break sales records regardless of when it launches on certain platforms. Still, a faster release would certainly be great for the fans and the overall industry.
When do you think the game will finally leave behind PS5 and Xbox Series S|X exclusivity? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.