There might not be a much bigger leisure launch on the horizon proper now than Grand Theft Auto VI. Rockstar Video games’ subsequent title within the franchise has reached a stage of anticipation not often seen in gaming, and is formally scheduled to launch on November 19, a date already recognized for a while.
On the similar time, hypothesis round Trailer 3 and simply now the leaked pre-order home windows has as soon as once more despatched the web into overdrive. However whereas many of the dialog is about Vice Metropolis, characters, and the size of the open world, there’s a smaller, extra area of interest query:
Will GTA VI have poker?
It might sound like a small element in a sport anticipated to redefine open-world gaming, however Rockstar has a surprisingly robust historical past with card video games, casinos, and playing mechanics. Poker, specifically, has quietly change into one of the memorable aspect actions throughout a number of Rockstar titles over time.
The most effective instance got here in Purple Lifeless Redemption 2.
The critically acclaimed western featured playable Texas Maintain’em video games all through its open world, giving gamers the possibility to take a seat down in saloons and grind playing cards throughout the frontier. Poker shortly turned one of many sport’s hottest aspect actions, with gamers spending numerous hours on the tables after launch.
Even poker media took discover. PokerNews printed detailed protection explaining how poker labored inside Purple Lifeless Redemption 2, together with technique recommendation and breakdowns of the sport’s mechanics.
PokerStrategy additionally weighed in on poker in video video games equivalent to Purple Lifeless Redemption and GTA, even joking in an April Fools’ piece about GTA 6 probably that includes actual cash on-line poker. Gaming retailers, in the meantime, commonly highlighted poker as one of many standout mini-games in Rockstar’s world.
Rockstar has experimented with playing mechanics lengthy earlier than Purple Lifeless Redemption 2 as nicely. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas included on line casino video games starting from blackjack and roulette to video poker, whereas GTA V On-line later expanded closely into casino-themed gameplay by the Diamond On line casino & Resort replace.
That historical past is why the opportunity of poker showing in GTA VI doesn’t really feel unrealistic. In truth, Rockstar Video games sits underneath Take-Two Interactive, the identical mum or dad firm that additionally owns Zynga Poker, which provides an fascinating layer for poker gamers watching GTA VI’s growth carefully.
File-Breaking GTA VI Hype
GTA VI has reportedly been in growth for practically a decade, with estimates inserting its price range between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, making it the costliest online game ever produced. Its predecessor, GTA V, nonetheless holds a number of Guinness World Information, together with the very best income generated and the quickest leisure product to succeed in $1 billion. Regardless of launching in 2013, it continues to keep up an enormous lively participant base even immediately.
Unsurprisingly, expectations for GTA VI are on one other stage solely. The sport was formally revealed in December 2023, and its first trailer shattered YouTube information with greater than 93 million views in simply 24 hours, changing into the most-watched non-music video debut on the time. Trailer 2 pushed even additional, crossing 475 million views throughout platforms inside its first day, with Rockstar describing it as its largest video launch ever.
Collectively, the primary two trailers have already generated near half a billion views, underlining simply how huge GTA VI has change into lengthy earlier than launch day.
Many now anticipate Trailer 3 to change into one of many largest video launches in latest YouTube historical past as soon as once more. Now, with reviews of leaked pre-order home windows between Could 18 and Could 21, hypothesis has shifted once more towards a attainable Trailer 3 reveal.
Nothing is confirmed by Rockstar, however the timing has been sufficient to maintain the group guessing. Reddit discussions across the leak have exploded over the previous 24 hours, with followers already predicting that Trailer 3 may arrive earlier than pre-orders open.
The hypothesis is sensible. Take-Two Interactive’s earnings name is scheduled for Could 21, and lots of within the gaming group imagine Rockstar may use a brand new trailer and pre-order announcement to dominate headlines heading into the presentation.
In order anticipation builds round Trailer 3 and the following section of GTA VI advertising and marketing, poker gamers will probably be watching simply as carefully as everybody else, not only for the chaos of Vice Metropolis, however for a quiet desk within the nook the place the playing cards may nonetheless be in play.
