Paris (France) (AFP) – The "Grand Theft Auto" saga, a global cultural phenomenon but also the subject of controversy and a money-making machine, is about to present a new installment on November 19.
First modification: 11/09/2026 - 18:03
The launch of "GTA VI" is a financial challenge for the Rockstar Games studio and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.
These are five important things to know about this saga:
Pioneer
The GTA saga, whose story begins in 1997, takes its name from the legal term for the crime of grand theft of a motor vehicle in California.
Unlike the heroes, soldiers or knights that usually appear in most video games, here it is about putting yourself in the shoes of a criminal who wreaks havoc in a city.
In 2001, the third episode marks a turning point: a 3D world to explore, sophisticated graphics and gameplay praised by critics and fans, especially for the freedom of action.
Since then, all installments have received very good reviews from the industry and players.
"GTA V", released in 2013, earned a score of 97 out of 100 on the Metacritic review platform and continues to be among the best-selling games every year.
money making machine
At its launch, "GTA V" grossed more than $1 billion in three days, faster than any other entertainment product (film, music...) in history, according to Take-Two.
The game sold more than 230 million copies and the entire saga exceeds 475 million, according to the company's results published in August.
"GTA V" is the second best-selling game of all time, behind only "Minecraft."
Even without a new delivery for more than a decade, the brand generates about $500 million each year, especially thanks to the online version.
"GTA Online", frequently updated, continues to gather almost 15 million monthly players in 2026, who spend real money on it in exchange for virtual items.
The franchise's revenue exceeds $10 billion.
Controversies
Controversies also tarnished the saga, criticized for promoting violence and inciting criminal behavior, accusations rejected by Take-Two.
The game is also criticized for its misogyny in the representation of women, its clichés of ethnic minorities and its torture scenes.
Although some voices applaud its satirical aspect, in several countries its sale was prohibited or limited. In 2014, Target Australia stopped selling "GTA V," citing customer concerns.
luxury guests
Despite the criticism, GTA has become a cultural reference, and big names in film and music appeared in the saga.
Actor Ray Liotta lent his voice to the main character in "GTA: Vice City", released in 2002. Other stars such as Samuel L. Jackson, Burt Reynolds, musician Phil Collins and comedian Ricky Gervais appear in the games.
The French electronic music duo Justice writes the soundtrack for "GTA VI", and the album that accompanies the video game includes songs by rapper Travis Scott, reggaeton artist Rauw Alejandro and Argentinian CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso.
"GTA VI"
The release of "GTA VI", initially scheduled for fall 2025, was postponed to the end of May 2026 and then to November 19.
The launch is so important that Take-Two's competitors avoided releasing their games in the same period, leading to a backlog of new releases in September and October.
"GTA VI" is set in the fictional state of Leonida, in the city of Vice City, with clear inspirations from Florida and Miami.
The story focuses on a couple of ex-convicts, Jason Duval and Lucía Caminos. She is the first playable female protagonist of the series.
According to various estimates, the cost of this new installment would be between 1,000 and 1,500 million dollars, which would make it the most expensive product in the history of entertainment, including cinema, after more than eight years of work.
© 2026 AFP
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