GTA VI pre-loading opens November 10, with a 212 GB file
Rockstar has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI can be pre-loaded from November 10 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, two days earlier than the pre-order form said. The file needs up to 212 GB.
Rockstar has confirmed that digital pre-loading for Grand Theft Auto VI begins on Tuesday, November 10, nine days before the November 19 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
That is two days sooner than players were told. GamesRadar+ says the pre-order form had listed November 12, the date Rockstar now gives for code-in-box versions reaching retailers. Digital buyers get at least a week with the file before launch.
Midnight local time on PlayStation, midnight GMT on Xbox
On PS5, pre-loading starts at midnight local time in each time zone, as Rockstar and the PlayStation Blog both state, and the blog adds that pre-download is only available to those who have pre-ordered. On Xbox Series X|S it begins globally at 12 a.m. GMT on November 10. GamesRadar+ converts that to 4pm PST and 7pm EST on Monday, November 9, and 1am in Central Europe, 11am in eastern Australia and 1pm in New Zealand on the 10th. Eurogamer adds 9am in Japan and 8am in Beijing.
212 GB, so clear the space now
Rockstar says the pre-load file needs up to 212 GB depending on the device, and advises players to free up space. The PlayStation Blog tells PS5 owners to clear at least 212GB. An earlier claim put the PS5 size at 210 GB, GamesRadar+ notes, so the official figure is slightly higher. The outlet also points out that Xbox and PS5 file sizes may differ slightly, and that pre-load downloads and final install sizes can differ noticeably.
Boxed copies, and a poster that costs 99 cents on paper
Code-in-box versions for both consoles should be at retailers from November 12, and GamesRadar+ says the code can then be redeemed in the platform's digital store to start preloading. Eurogamer says Rockstar's support site has instructions for both consoles: find the game in the store and pre-order it to proceed with the download.
On November 19, Rockstar will add an official printable cover art poster and a map of Leonida as a free digital download on its site. A double-sided physical version will follow shortly after launch from the Rockstar Store, at $0.99 on its own or free with any Rockstar Store purchase.
GamesRadar+ notes that Rockstar does not mention the map being in the code-in-box package, which it describes as available "while supplies last". As someone who unfolded the map from the GTA III box, I find that a small but telling change: the price is trivial, the habit of putting it in the box is not.
