GTA 6 has not been released yet. This guide is based on what Rockstar Games has revealed so far and will be updated when the game launches.
GTA 6 Trailer 1 Explained
The first GTA 6 trailer introduced Vice City, Leonida and Lucia to the world. Here is what it showed and why it became such a big moment.
Do you want to read more GTA 6 guides? Visit our guides page.
The first GTA 6 trailer
The first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI was released in December 2023. It was the moment fans had waited years for: the official introduction of the next main GTA game, more than a decade after GTA V.
Rockstar released the trailer earlier than it had planned, after a copy leaked online. Instead of waiting for the scheduled premiere, the studio published it straight away on its official channels.
What the trailer showed
Vice City and Leonida
The trailer confirmed what many fans had hoped for: GTA 6 returns to Vice City. This time the city is part of a larger fictional state called Leonida, Rockstar's take on Florida. The footage moved from beaches and nightlife to highways, swamps and small towns, showing that the map is about much more than one city.
Lucia
The trailer opened with Lucia, one of the two protagonists. She is the first main female protagonist in a modern GTA game, which made her introduction a big talking point.
A partner in crime
The trailer also hinted at a partnership. Jason, the second protagonist, appeared alongside Lucia, and their relationship became a central theme of later reveals.
Modern life and satire
Much of the trailer was styled like social media clips and viral videos. That fits the series' long tradition of satire, this time aimed at a world where everything is filmed and shared.
A release window
The trailer ended with a release window of 2025. That window was later moved twice, and the current release date is 19 November 2026.
A record-breaking reveal
The first trailer broke YouTube viewing records and became one of the most watched video game reveals ever. For many people it was the first time in years that a game trailer felt like a global event.
The music
The trailer used a well-known song from the 1980s, which fans quickly connected to the retro spirit of Vice City. Music has always been central to GTA, and the choice set the mood for the new game.
Looking back
With later reveals in mind, the first trailer was mostly about setting the scene. It introduced the world and its tone, but left the story and gameplay largely to later trailers. The second trailer, in May 2025, and the extended look, in August 2026, filled in many of those gaps.
Where to watch
The trailer is available on Rockstar Games' official YouTube channel and on the official GTA 6 website. Those are the best places to watch it in the highest quality and without misleading edits.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first GTA 6 trailer released?
In December 2023, earlier than planned after it leaked online.
Which character appears in the first trailer?
Lucia is the focus of the trailer, with Jason appearing alongside her.
Where is GTA 6 set?
In Vice City and the wider fictional state of Leonida.
What release date did the first trailer show?
A 2025 window. The game has since been moved to 19 November 2026.