It seems that 2025 is going to be one big year for gaming. With different interesting game releases and even a brand-new console rumored to debut, no doubt developers are afraid of overshadowing each other.
The last few weeks have been filled with gaming showcases, ranging from Summer Game to the Nintendo Direct, giving gamers glimpses of what is about to come.
One unique event was the Xbox Games Showcase, which many viewers claimed the best event of the year. But viewers noticed a trend: many upcoming titles and the different release dates.
Much-awaited games like the Perfect Dark Reboot, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Fable were all given different and uncertain dates for 2025 or had no release date at all, leaving fans with questions such that will they see these games anytime soon.
But the mystery began to somewhat solved during a recent interview with Matt Booty, Xbox’s president of gaming content and studios, on Variety’s Strictly Business podcast.
Booty addressed the uncertain release dates and confirmed they were partly due to the impending release of Grand Theft Auto VI, expected in Fall 2025.
This is because of the immense anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI, which is not a surprise. It’s been over a decade since the last entry, and fans are curious to return to the Rockstar Games’ chaotic world. But Booty also explained that Xbox is looking forward to avoid competing with its own releases.
GTA 6’s Awesome Loading Times
GTA 6 leaked gameplay footage has left fans in awe, and most importantly the game’s loading times. The footage shows the rapid transitions between the two main characters, Jason and Lucia, a significant change over GTA V.
While new generation consoles are known for their amazing loading times, the footage showed near-instantaneous character switching, most importantly when the characters were close to each other. This proves that GTA VI’s average load times is going to be substantially shorter than previous Rockstar Games titles.
The Official XBOX Documents Hint at GTA 6 Release Date
In an uncertain turn of events, a definitive GTA 6 release date was found in correspondence between Microsoft and the competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over the Activision ruling. An eagle-eyed fan noticed a reference to GTA VI being expected within 2024 in documents shared during the ruling.
This discovery gets in line with recent leaks showcasing a possible GTA VI announcement in late October. While this has not been confirmed by Rockstar, fans are hopeful for an official update soon.
The Competition Between GTA 6 and Fable
The release of GTA 6 poses a threat for other major titles, particularly Fable, which is set to launch around the same time. Fable risks of over steeping by the highly anticipated GTA VI.
Tom Warren of the Verge has pointed that Fable is aiming for a Fall 2025 launch, a period which may be dominated by GTA VI. This overshadowing could be harmful to Fable’s success, with fans thinking a delay to avoid direct competition.
The Unfulfilled Dream of GTA V Single-Player DLC
In addition to the GTA buzz, new details have come up about the scrapped GTA V single-player expansion. Despite the game’s big success, it never got the single-player DLC that fans expected, which is same to GTA IV’s expansions.
Conclusion
The anticipation for GTA 6 is causing a wave effect throughout the gaming industry. As developers navigate the release schedule to avoid clashing with Rockstar’s juggernaut, 2025 promises to be a year filled with fun and highly competitive game release.
Also read: Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game – A Promising Asymmetrical Experience