After roughly around 24 hours, Rockstar Games has finally released the official trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 on Twitter, the “former” name of the popular social media platform that walks around under a new name, X, these days. This came after the trailer’s record-setting debut on YouTube and follows a series of dramatic events surrounding the game’s anticipation and reveal.
Originally, Rockstar had planned to unveil the first GTA 6 trailer early on Tuesday. However, due to a still-unexplained unexpected leak on Monday afternoon, the development team had no choice but to release the trailer on YouTube just a few minutes after it blew up on the internet. The leak, which wasn’t well-received by the developers, kicked off events that’s as absurd as the trailer itself.
Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X/Twitter, publicly urged Rockstar to post the trailer on the social media platform, highlighting the popularity of gaming topics on X/Twitter. Despite her plea, the official post of the trailer on X/Twitter encountered some issues.
Many users reported not being able to see Rockstar’s post of the trailer when viewing a reply to it, leading to speculation about the platform potentially limiting the trailer’s reach. The move to post the trailer on X/Twitter was further clouded by X/Twitter owner Elon Musk’s statement about not being a fan of the franchise, citing his discomfort with the game’s opening scene that involved shooting police officers. This statement led to various jokes and discussions online.
The decision by Rockstar to release the trailer on X/Twitter, despite the ongoing controversy and the changing dynamics under Musk’s ownership, has raised questions about the company’s plans and strategies. It remains unclear if Rockstar had always intended to post the trailer on X/Twitter or if their hand was forced by the leak.
Despite all the hullabaloo, the official GTA 6 trailer on X/Twitter quickly gained significant traction, pulling in more than 20 million impressions, 80,000+ retweets, and more than half a million likes in less than 24 hours. This response proves the immense popularity and anticipation surrounding the game.
GTA 6’s trailer has already surpassed the combined lifetime trailer views of this year’s biggest titles. Currently, the trailer boasts over 100 million views on YouTube, a figure that continues to climb rapidly.
The initial trailer reveals the setting for GTA 6, Vice City, which is an iconic if fictional representation of Miami, and dual protagonists, including the series’ first female protagonist named Lucia. The game is set for a 2025 release, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X, promising a new evolution in the iconic series.
Rockstar Games’ handling of the GTA 6 trailer release on social media platforms, particularly on X/Twitter, highlights the complexities and challenges faced by major gaming studios in the digital age. It also reflects the changing landscape of social media and its impact on the marketing and promotion of blockbuster games. As fans eagerly dissect every detail of the trailer, the internet continues to cheer on and speculate about what GTA 6 will bring to the table.
