Waiting for GTA 6 PC Release Saves You $20 on Shops

Grand Theft Auto VI: Open-World Game by Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) is an upcoming open-world action-adventure game developed by Rockstar Games, set in a fictional version of Leonida (based on Florida) and its Vice City metropolitan area. The game belongs to the action-adventure and open-world genres and is the successor to Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5), which was originally released in 2013. According to the source article from Rock Paper Shotgun, GTA 6 is confirmed for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in Fall 2025, but no official PC release date has been announced. The core problem the article addresses is whether waiting for a potential PC version of GTA 6 could save players money, based on the precedent set by GTA 5's multiple re-releases and edition tiers that required additional payments for special in-game shops and content.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Game Title | Grand Theft Auto VI |
| Developer | Rockstar Games |
| Confirmed Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Console Release Window | Fall 2025 |
| PC Release Date | Not announced (as of article publication) |
| Predecessor | Grand Theft Auto V (released 2013 on PS3/Xbox 360) |
| GTA 5 PC Release Delay | 18 months after original console launch (arrived April 2015) |
| GTA 5 PS5/Xbox Series X/S Release | March 2022 (9 years after original launch) |
| GTA 5 Premium Edition Price | Included Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack (valued at approximately $20 in GTA$) |
| GTA Online Standalone Price (PS5/Xbox Series) | $19.99 (free for PS5 players during first 3 months) |
What Did GTA 5's Multiple Editions Reveal About Waiting for GTA 6 on PC?
GTA 5 was re-released across three console generations and PC, with each re-release introducing new edition tiers that required additional spending for full access to in-game shops and content. The original GTA 5 launched on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2013. A PC version arrived in April 2015, followed by PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions later that year. In March 2022, Rockstar released enhanced versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. According to the Rock Paper Shotgun article, each re-release created a "soup" of editions — Standard, Premium, and Premium Edition with Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack — that determined whether players had access to special in-game shops and businesses. The article notes that players who bought the base GTA 5 on PS4 or Xbox One and later upgraded to PS5 or Xbox Series X/S had to pay separately for the enhanced version or purchase the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack to access certain in-game content. Waiting for the PC release of GTA 5 meant avoiding the need to purchase multiple editions across console generations, potentially saving players the $20 equivalent of the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack.
How Much Could Waiting for GTA 6 on PC Save Players?
Based on GTA 5's edition structure, waiting for a PC release of GTA 6 could save players approximately $20 by avoiding the need to purchase a premium edition or starter pack for special shop access. The Rock Paper Shotgun article explains that GTA 5's "Premium Edition" included the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack, which provided in-game cash, properties, and vehicles that gave players a head start in GTA Online. Players who bought the standard edition on console and later wanted access to those special shops and businesses had to purchase the starter pack separately for roughly $20. The article's author waded through GTA 5's "editions soup" to conclude that PC players who waited for the 2015 release got the full game without the confusion of multiple console re-releases. If Rockstar follows the same pattern with GTA 6, PC players who wait could avoid paying an extra $20 for special shop access that console early adopters may need to purchase separately.
What Is the GTA 6 PC Release Date?
Rockstar Games has not announced a PC release date for Grand Theft Auto VI as of the article's publication, though the console version is confirmed for Fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The source article from Rock Paper Shotgun notes that GTA 5's PC release arrived 18 months after the original console launch. Historically, Rockstar has delayed PC versions of its major titles: Grand Theft Auto IV arrived on PC 7 months after consoles, GTA 5 took 18 months, and Red Dead Redemption 2 took 13 months. The article suggests that a similar delay for GTA 6 is likely, though no official timeline exists. No official PC release date for GTA 6 has been confirmed, but historical patterns suggest a delay of 12 to 18 months after the console launch in Fall 2025.
Who Is This Analysis For?
This analysis is for PC gamers who are deciding whether to purchase GTA 6 on console at launch or wait for a potential PC release, based on the financial implications of Rockstar's edition and re-release strategy. The ideal reader is a player who owns a gaming PC and is considering buying a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S specifically to play GTA 6 at launch. The article from Rock Paper Shotgun targets budget-conscious gamers who want to avoid paying extra for special in-game shops and content that may be bundled into premium editions. The analysis also applies to players who experienced frustration with GTA 5's multiple editions and want to make an informed decision about GTA 6.
How Does GTA 6's Release Strategy Compare to GTA 5?
| Factor | GTA 5 (Historical Precedent) | GTA 6 (Expected Pattern) |
|---|---|---|
| Original Console Release | PS3/Xbox 360 (September 2013) | PS5/Xbox Series X/S (Fall 2025) |
| PC Release Delay | 18 months (April 2015) | Estimated 12–18 months (not confirmed) |
| Next-Gen Console Re-release | PS4/Xbox One (November 2014), PS5/Xbox Series X/S (March 2022) | Likely future re-release (not announced) |
| Premium Edition Cost | Included $20 Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack | Unknown (likely similar tiered model) |
| Special Shop Access | Required specific edition or separate purchase | Unknown (likely similar model) |
GTA 5's release pattern shows that PC players who waited received the full game without paying extra for premium editions, while console early adopters faced multiple re-purchases across generations.
Common Questions
Will GTA 6 have a PC version?
Rockstar Games has not officially confirmed a PC version of GTA 6, but based on the company's history with GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, a PC release is widely expected 12 to 18 months after the console launch in Fall 2025.
How much extra did GTA 5's premium edition cost for special shops?
GTA 5's Premium Edition included the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack, which provided access to special in-game shops and businesses. Players who bought the standard edition had to purchase the starter pack separately for approximately $20 to unlock that content.
Is it worth waiting for GTA 6 on PC instead of buying on console?
Based on GTA 5's edition history, waiting for a PC release could save players roughly $20 by avoiding premium edition costs for special shop access. However, PC players will need to wait an estimated 12 to 18 months after the console launch.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: "Waiting for GTA 6's PC release might save you dropping an extra $20 for access to some special shops based on my wading through GTA 5's editions soup" published on Rock Paper Shotgun (rockpapershotgun.com). The source article analyzes Rockstar Games' historical release patterns and edition structures for Grand Theft Auto V to project potential cost implications for Grand Theft Auto VI. All pricing figures are in US dollars as reported in the original source. No currency conversion was applied. This article was last updated on July 18, 2025.