Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Pack your bags — it's almost time to head to Vice City. Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most expensive video games ever made, will return fans to fictionalized Miami when it's released Nov. 19.
It's been 13 years since the franchise's last release, and hype around the new game has been unmatched. Netflix is streaming an extended preview Aug. 27, leaks are flooding social media and one U.S. Army unit is even offering four days off when the games comes out as a reenlistment bonus.
Fans are eagerly anticipating a game that is as much a sandbox for activities with friends as it is a tale about Vice City’s criminal underworld. So is a video game industry still recovering from a COVID-era investment boom and bust that has resulted in job losses and studio closures. The industry is hoping GTA VI could pull fans away from cheaper mobile games and back into big-budget, immersive gaming.
PBS News’ Tim McPhillips spoke with Stephen Totilo, who covers the video game industry in his Substack newsletter "Game File," to look at the hype and what fans can expect.
Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show.
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Pack your bags — it's almost time to head to Vice City. Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most expensive video games ever made, will return fans to fictionalized Miami when it's released Nov. 19.
It's been 13 years since the franchise's last release, and hype around the new game has been unmatched. Netflix is streaming an extended preview Aug. 27, leaks are flooding social media and one U.S. Army unit is even offering four days off when the games comes out as a reenlistment bonus.
Fans are eagerly anticipating a game that is as much a sandbox for activities with friends as it is a tale about Vice City’s criminal underworld. So is a video game industry still recovering from a COVID-era investment boom and bust that has resulted in job losses and studio closures. The industry is hoping GTA VI could pull fans away from cheaper mobile games and back into big-budget, immersive gaming.
PBS News’ Tim McPhillips spoke with Stephen Totilo, who covers the video game industry in his Substack newsletter "Game File," to look at the hype and what fans can expect.
Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show.
Sign up for Here's The Deal with Lisa Desjardins: to.pbs.org/41q6E8i
Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters: pbs.org/newshour/subscribe
PBS News podcasts: pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS News at pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/2HfsCD6
Follow us:
TikTok: tiktok.com/@pbsnews
X: twitter.com/newshour
Instagram: instagram.com/newshour
Facebook: facebook.com/newshour
